FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 02, 2008

Landrieu Endorsed by Young Louisiana Leaders

Young leaders cite Landrieu's ability to get things done to secure Louisiana's future

BATON ROUGE -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., was today endorsed by more than 30 of Louisiana's young leaders, including current and former student government officials, young business leaders and Democratic activists.  Citing her record of achievement in making higher education more affordable for Louisianians, passing legislation to provide a continuous stream of revenue to protect the state's coastline and her efforts to bring jobs to Louisiana, the group of both Democratic and Republican leaders age 18-35 argued that Sen. Landrieu's seniority and effectiveness are too critical to give up at this crucial time for Louisiana.

"There is no group of people who will be more greatly impacted by what happens in the next Congress than our young leaders," Sen. Landrieu said.  "With a skyrocketing national debt, gas prices going through the roof and coastal erosion threatening our way of life, these leaders know firsthand the importance of having effective leadership in Congress.  I am proud to have their support.  They represent the future of Louisiana and the future of America."

Senator Landrieu was introduced at today's endorsement by Lamar White, assistant to Alexandria Mayer Jacques Roy.  Mr. White highlighted Sen. Landrieu's seniority in Congress and her ability to get things done for central Louisiana.

"Sen. Landrieu has literally spent my entire lifetime serving Louisiana," Mr. White said.  "Nobody has done more to secure the future for our state.  She is a leader that we can trust to never give up the fight to bring the necessary resources to central Louisiana.  Alexandria has someone we know we can count on in Sen. Landrieu."

Stasha Rhodes, a native of Napoleonville, addressed the group of supporters endorsing Sen. Landrieu's re-election today.  As Vice President of the Student Government Association at Southern University and President of the Student Senate, Ms. Rhodes emphasized Sen. Landrieu's record fighting to make higher education more affordable and accessible for Louisiana's students.

"Louisiana's students have always had a fighter in Sen. Landrieu," Ms. Rhodes, who is also a member of Louisiana State Senate President Joel Chaisson's staff, said.  "She has fought to make college more affordable, and she fought for FEMA assistance for students after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  She has brought almost $600 million to HBCUs, and she fought for low-interest loans for Louisiana's colleges and universities to help rebuild after the 2005 storms.  She has always been an ally in the Senate, and we need to do everything we can to send her back in November."

Former Louisiana State University Student Government President Cassie Alsfeld, a registered Republican, also spoke before Sen. Landrieu addressed the group, highlighting the significance of coastal restoration in securing Louisiana from the impact of future hurricanes.  Every 2.4 square miles of wetlands reduces the height of a storm surge by a foot, and Sen. Landrieu has led the fight to restore Louisiana's coastline.

"Sen. Landrieu's energy bill that forces the federal government to share royalties from oil and gas production off our coast with Louisiana is perhaps the single most important legislation in our state's history," Ms. Alsfeld, who just finished serving as the student representative to the LSU Board of Supervisors, said.  "Our coastal wetlands are essential to the security of our communities during future storms, and Sen. Landrieu's efforts will make us that much safer next time.  She has proven that she is effective for Louisiana, and we need to keep her in the Senate."

"College students from across the country will graduate with thousands of dollars of student loan debt," Sen. Landrieu said to the crowd.  "Young small business owners are struggling with the high cost of health insurance, and all of Louisiana's workforce is struggling to afford the rising cost of gas.  Now the federal government continues to add to their debt, taking out loans from other countries to pay for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I will continue to fight for Louisiana's economy and to make America energy independent.  You can be sure that I will never give up when fighting on behalf of our state."