[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 201 (Wednesday, December 6, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1183-E1184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE OUTSTANDING LEGISLATIVE CAREER OF RANDAL L. GAINES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an 
outstanding gentleman and dear friend, Randal L. Gaines. He is a 
product of St. James Parish, a parish I serve in Congress. Gaines has 
distinguished himself as an attorney, public servant, and military 
leader. He formerly served as a tax attorney for the Internal Revenue 
Service, Assistant City Attorney for the City of New Orleans, and 
Associate Director of the Criminal Justice Department at Southern 
University Baton Rouge. He has played key leadership roles in some of 
the most significant military actions and crises in this nation's 
history. While serving as a captain with the 159th MASH, one of the 
first military units to enter Iraq during Operation Desert Storm, 
Gaines coordinated the evacuation of over 300 wounded American soldiers 
from the combat zone. Lt. Colonel Gaines was also awarded the Louisiana 
Cross of Merit for leadership and bravery in coordinating the rescue 
and evacuation efforts of over 30,000 evacuees from the Louisiana 
Superdome during Hurricane Katrina. In the aftermath of Hurricane 
Katrina, Gaines served as Military Advisor and Medical Support 
Coordinator for Task Force Orleans. Gaines also served on the Southern 
University Board of Supervisors. He serves as Vice Chairman for Elected 
Officials for the Louisiana Democratic Party.
  In November 2012, Gaines was elected as Louisiana State 
Representative, District 57. During that term, Gaines was elected with 
the highest winning percentage of all the State Representative and 
Senate races in Louisiana. He recently served on a significant Black 
Entrepreneurship Panel member during the City of Birmingham's 
Empowerment Week, honoring the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 16th Street 
Baptist Church Bombing.
  During the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)'s 
celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington, 
Gaines was awarded SCLC's National Chairman's Award for his leadership 
and dedicated service to the organization and for being a primary 
factor in why the organization continues to effectively advance the 
cause of civil rights and social justice. SCLC was founded and led by 
Dr. Martin Luther King, with membership that included Jessie Jackson, 
Ambassador Andrew Young, Dr. Ralph David Abernathy, Joseph Lowery, and 
many other notable civil rights leaders. He was recently appointed to 
the position of Vice Chairman of SCLC's National Board. Randal has 
three children who are his life, Randal Jr., Ariel, and Brienna Gaines.
  Louisiana and the Democratic Party were blessed to have this 
incredible gem in Baton Rouge fighting to make our State a better 
place. I am proud to say I was able to work alongside him through many 
challenges throughout my political career in state government, 
respecting the guidance and support he continues to give. I will 
forever carry his direction as I serve the Constituents of LA-02.

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