Southwest Louisiana – At the 18^th Chamber SWLA LegisGator Luncheon at L’Auberge, legislators were recognized for their pro-business and pro-community legislation and efforts during the past Legislative Session in Baton Rouge.

Among the dignitaries at the event, Louisiana legislators from Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C. provided updates on their efforts on behalf of constituents. Over 900 people were in attendance including the following speakers:

• Governor Billy Nungesser
• S. Senator John Kennedy
• S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D.
• S. Congressman Garret Graves
• S. Congressman Clay Higgins
• S. Congressman Mike Johnson
• Louisiana Senate President Pro Tempore Beth Mizell
• Louisiana House Speaker Clay Schexnayder
• 2023 Chamber SWLA Board Chair Jason Guillory of MQB

Other guests included Commissioner of Agriculture & Forestry Dr. Mike Strain, Mayor Nic Hunter, Mayor Hal McMillin, Mayor Neal Watkins, Mayor Henry Guinn, Mayor Mike Danahay, Mayor Karl Arceneaux. Calcasieu Police Jury President Chris Landry and Administrator Bryan Beam, Cameron Police Jury President Curtis Fountain and Administrator Katie Armentor, Jeff Davis Police Jury President Steve Eastman, and many more from outlying areas like Vernon and Acadia Parishes.

This year’s awards:

• Chair’s Award given by Jason Guillory to Senator Gerald Boudreaux for being a strong advocate for economic development and supporting its funding.
• Rising Star Award given by Former State Senator Mike Michot of The Picard Group to Freshman Senator Jeremy Stine for taking the lead on insurance reform and supporting the cornerstones of our community.
• Governmental Affairs Award given by Committee Chair Harold Rowland of L’Auberge Casino Resort to first-term House Member Representative Dewith Carrier for his hard-work supporting the causes important to Louisiana like healthcare, education, and protecting our fisheries and coastline.
• LegisGator of the Year was presented by Mike Michot to U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (following is from today’s speech)

“This year’s LegisGator of the Year was selected from our esteemed Congressional delegation. His district includes much of coastal Louisiana and he has been a champion for funding coastal restoration and protecting our fisheries.  He was a key figure in the most recent election for U.S. Speaker of the House, working to secure the necessary votes for the election of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker. As a result, he landed a position as Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee on the powerful U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.  In this role, he has secured funding for our state’s ports and airports making a huge economic impact on our state’s economy.  His positions on both the Transportation & Infrastructure and Natural Resources Committees serve as an opportunity to advance policy priorities that are important to South Louisiana – safe and efficient transportation, flood control, hurricane protection, maritime commerce, coastal restoration, ports development and energy production. He served as a key negotiator in recent budget deliberations, helping leadership secure the necessary votes to avoid a government shutdown.  He has always been a team player who works across the aisle and is not afraid to advocate for Louisiana’s great assets.”

This year’s Business Champions were from all over the state:

Senator Mark Abraham

Senator Heather Cloud

Senator Page Cortez

Senator Michael Fesi

Senator Cameron Henry

Senator Sharon Hewitt

Senator Katrina Jackson

Senator Barry Milligan

Senator Beth Mizell

Senator Mike Reese

Senator Gary Smith

Senator Glen Womack

Representative Tony Bacala

Representative Beau Beaullieu

Representative Ryan Bourriaque

Representative Marcus Bryant

Representative Rhonda Butler

Representative Raymond Crews

Representative Daryl Deshotel

Representative Phillip DeVillier

Representative Michael Echols

Representative Rick Edmonds

Representative Julie Emerson

Representative Les Farnum

Representative Gabe Firment

Representative Aimee Adatto Freeman

Representative Barbara Freiberg

Representative Foy Gadberry

Representative Brett Geymann

Representative Jonathan Goudeau

Representative Paul Hollis

Representative Jason Hughes

Representative Mike Huval

Representative Patrick Jefferson

Representative Michael Johnson

Representative Edmond Jordan

Representative Rodney. Lyons

Representative Scott. McKnight

Representative Blake Miguez

Representative Richard Nelson

Representative Charles Owen

Representative Vincent Pierre

Representative Neil. Riser

Representative Troy Romero

Representative Rodney Schamerhorn

Representative Clay Schexnayder

Representative Laurie Schlegel

Representative Alan Seabaugh

Representative Vincent St. Blanc

Representative John. Stefanski

Representative Phillip Tarver

Representative Christopher Turner

Representative Debbie Villio

Representative Matthew Willard

Representative Mark Wright 

This year’s LegisGator is hosted by Title Sponsor L’Auberge Casino Resort, and Presenting Sponsors CITGO and Sasol. Other sponsors include Golden Gators: Advantous Consulting, Cameron LNG, Cheniere, Didier Consultants, Energy Transfer, First Horizon Bank, Hunt Guillot and Associates, JD Bank, Indorama, Jeff Davis Parish Economic Development, The Picard Group with Southwestern Energy, Port of Lake Charles, Rail Logix, ReCon, Sempra Infrastructure, Stream Wetland Services, Tellurian, and Westlake Chemical. Bayou Backers: Acadian Companies, AT&T, Christus Health and Ochsner Health System, Chennault International Airport, Coushatta Casino Resort, CSE Federal Credit Union, Energy, First Federal Bank of Louisiana, Lake Charles Coca-Cola Bottling, Lake Charles Memorial Health System, Lake Charles Pilots, Lake Charles Airport, Lotte Chemical, Phillips 66, Stine, Stockwell Sievert Law Firm, Turner Industries, and West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital.