Louisiana Legends
The Louisiana Legends Gala 2021
Season 2021 Episode 1 | 1h 2m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
The Louisiana Legends Gala 2021
The Louisiana Legends Awards Gala and Auction is a very special annual event hosted by Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting. The event honors the best and brightest of Louisiana’s sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in a variety of disciplines and have brought honor to the state.
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Louisiana Legends is a local public television program presented by LPB
Louisiana Legends
The Louisiana Legends Gala 2021
Season 2021 Episode 1 | 1h 2m 34sVideo has Closed Captions
The Louisiana Legends Awards Gala and Auction is a very special annual event hosted by Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting. The event honors the best and brightest of Louisiana’s sons and daughters who have distinguished themselves in a variety of disciplines and have brought honor to the state.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Louisiana Legends
Louisiana Legends is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipIN ALEXAN DEE YEAH ROOD PRURKTSS COMPANY.
SUPPORTED THE SOCIAL EDUCATION AND LOCAL NEEDS OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
LEARN MORE AT ROY O MARTIN.
CAM.
THE LOUISIANA LOTTARILY IS PROUD TO HONOR LOUISIANA LEGENDS.
CONTRIBUTING OVER 4 BILLION DOLLARS K DLOW 12 EDUCATION.
AND BY WILL S NIGHT HEALTH SYSTEM CARING FOR OUR PARISH AND COMMUNITIES FOR 97 YEARS.
WITH TECHNOLOGY FOR HEALTH AND WELLNESS, HEART, CANCER, ORTHOPEDICS BIRTHING AND MORE.
WILL S KNIGHTEN ALWAYS HERE.
WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE DORAFAMILY FOUNDATION FUND.
AND SCOTTY MURAN.
THERE IS NO OTHER PLACE QUITE LIKE LOUISIANA OUR CULTURE NATURAL LANDSCAPE CUSWREEN MUSIC AND WAY OF LIFE ALL MAKE LOUISIANA TRULY UNIQUE.
BUT THOSE OF US WHO CALL LOUISIANA HOME KNOW ITS THE PEOPLE WHO TRULY MAKE OUR STATE GREAT.
FOR OVER THREE DECADES LPB HAS SOUGHT TO GIVE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BROUGHT TO CLAIM BOTH TO THEMSELVES AND TO LOUISIANA THE DISTINCTION OF LOUISIANA LEGEND.
SINCE 199144 MEN AND WOMAN MUSICAL, PIONEERS IN SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY, STAR AGHTD LEEGHTS, ARTIST, PUBLIC SERVANTS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND GENEROUS FULAWN TRUPIST HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZE AND HONORED AS LOUISIANA LEGENDS.
HOLDING THIS ONE OF A KIND EVENT AND HONORING OUR LOUISIANA SONS AND DAUGHTERS IS OUR GREATEST SOURCE OF PRIDE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US IN THIS CELEBRATION FOR OVER 30 YEARS.
AS LEDGARY LUMINARIES CONTINUE TO SHINE IN LOUISIANA LPB WILL BE HERE TO SHARE THEIR STORIES WITH YOU.
WELCOME TO THE 200021 LOUISIANA LEGENDS GALA.
OUR HOST THIS EVENING BETH COURTNEY AND JOHN DENNIS.
>>: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO LOUISIANAS MAGNIFICENT OLD STATE CAPITAL FOR THE 2021 LOUISIANA LEGENDS GALA.
THIS YEAR, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO SEE SEE MANY OF YOU ARE JOINING US IN THE LIVE BROADCAST VERY FIRST TIME WE ARE DOING THIS SO WELCOME TO LIVE TELEVISION IN THIS BEAUTIFUL OLD BUILDING.
I WANT TO THANK YOU OUR COHOST FOR THIS EVENING.
JOIN ME HE'S COMFROM PALM SPRINGS CALIFORNIA JOHN FORMER BOARD MEMBER AND GREAT FRIEND.
>>: THANK YOU MY DEAR.
A PLEASURE TO BE BACK IN MY HOME STATE.
I MISS MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS AND MY LOUISIANA FOOD.
BUT WEAVE RECEIVE HAD SOME GREAT FOOD THIS EVENING AND INDEED WONDERFUL TO BE BACK TOGETHER WITH ALL OF US FOR THE FIRST EVER LIVE BROADCAST FOR THE GALA.
THE LOUISIANA LEGENDS GALA WAS CREATED IN NEANT 90 TO HONOR THE CAW LISHMENTS OF OUR STATES BEST AND BRIGHTEST.
THIS YEAR HONOREES WELL THEY CONSIST OF THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS DIRECTOR OF THE JOHNSON SPACE CENTER, A MEDICAL TRAIL BLAILER, A DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT AND AND WAR VET.
A SUPERBOWL CHAMMIAN EXPW A FULAIN THUPIST IN FAMILY TRADITIONS.
A LIST OF 144 PAST LOUISIANA LEGENDS THAT INCLUDES ACADEMY AWARD WINNERS, GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS, STAR ATHLETES, ESTEEMED DIG NUTARRIES INCLUDING THE CURRENT UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED UNITNATIONS.
>>: FROM BACKER LOUISIANA.
>>: ABSOLUTELY.
>>: FIRST LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE AND HIS STAFF FOR ALLOWING US TO BROADCAST FROM THIS BEAUTIFUL OLD STATE CAPITAL.
ALWAYS A PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT THE GALE LAW HERE AND WELCOME OUR GUESTS TO THIS ARK CACHECKTUAL COMMISSIONER OF SPRGZ FORMER SECRETARY OF STATE, FORMER LIEU TENTT GOVERNOR JAY DARDEN.
>>: APPLAUSE.
>>: AND REPRESENTATIVE VIN SENT.
>>: ALWAYS DELIGHTED TO WELCOME BACK THE HONOREES AND THEIR FAMILIES FROM PAST YEARS.
AND TONIGHT THAT INCLUDES 2016 LOUISIANA LEDGANT BILL D, THE FAMILY OF THE FIRST FATHER AND SON TO BE RECOGNIZED THAT'S 2005 LOUISIANA LEGEND ROY O MARTIN JANUARY AND 2019 LOUISIANA LEGEND ROY O MARTIN THE THIRD.
AND THE FAMILY OF 2011 LOUISIANA LEGEND LAURA LEECH WHO IS THE CENTER IN LAW OF ONE OF TOONS HONOREES.
AND NOW LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WE ARE PLEASED TO INTRODUCE YOUR 2021 LOUISIANA LEDGANTS.
>>: COMMUNITY MEANS THE WURL NOT ONLY TO HER BUSINESS BUT TO HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY A WAY OF LIFE FOR DONNA SAURAGE.
>>: APPLAUSE.
A TRUE LEADER AND PUBLIC SERVANT DEDICATED TO MAKING LOUISIANA A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE.
TERRY LANDRY.
>>: APPLAUSE MORE THAN A MILLION PEOPLE WORLD WIDE HAVE BENEFITED FROM THIS PIONEERS ACHIEVERMENTS DR. TERRY KING.
>>: APPLAUSE.
TWO OF OUR HONOREES COULD NOT BE WITH US TONIGHT.
SCIENTIST AND RECIPIENT OFINOUS A OUT STANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD DR. CAROLYN AND LSU AND NFL GREAT JOHNNY ROBINSON.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, OUR 2021 LOUISIANA LEGENDS.
>>: APPLAUSE.
WELL JOHN, NOVELIST HENRY JAMES ONCE WROTE THREE THINGS IN HUMAN LIFE ARE IMPORTANT.
THE FIRST IS TO BE KIND.
THE SECOND IS TO BE KIND.
AND THE THIRD IS TO BE KIND.
OUR FIRST HAWNRY HAS TOUCHED THOUSANDS OF LIVES THROUGH HER DEDICATED SERVICE, LENDING A HAND, AND ALWAYS WITH THE BELIEF THAT SHARING A CUFF OF COFFEE WITH A FRIEND IS TIME WELL SPENT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY DEAR FRIEND DONNA SAURAGE.
APPLAUSE DONA S IS A WOMAN OF INTEGRITY, A TREMENDOUS SENSE OF FAMILY AND COMMITMENT.
AND SHE LEADS BY EXAMPLE.
>>: DONNA S HAS ALWAYS BEEN SOMEONE THAT LIFT OTHER PEOPLE AROUND HER AND GIVES THEM THE BELIEF THAT THEY CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS WELL.
>>: IN THE LITTLE TOWN OF AIDA OKLAHOMA A LOUISIANA LEGENDS WAS BORN THE BABY GIRL PARENTS ELEN AND BILL DIVORCED WHEN SHE WAS JUST AN INFANT AND DONNA BRIGHT AS SHE WAS KNOWN THEN WENT TO LIVE WITH HER GRAND PARENTS ALFATHEY LIVED IN A SMALL SHOT GUN HOUSE IN A DIRT ROAD IN THE SETTLEMENT OF BEING OKLAHOMA.
DAWN AWZ FIRST GRADE CLASSROOM A SMALL SCHOOL HOUSE THAT INCLUDED ALL 12 GRADES.
>>: SHE WAS AN ONLY CHILD AND SHE TOOK LESSEN OF THAT EXPERIENCE THE HARD WORK IT TAKES TO RAISE A FAMILY, TO MAKE A DOLLAR, TO MAKE YOUR WAY.
>>: THE SECOND WORLD WAR WAS RAGING AND DONNA FATHER SERVE IN THE PACK HER MOTHER WORKED FLOUTED THE WAR.
AFTER THE WAR SHE LIVED FOR A WHILE WITH HER FATH EXPR STEP MOTHER.
ATTENDED SECOND GRADE UNDER THE TOWN OF COFFEE VILL KANSAS.
BY THIRD GRADE SHE MOVED TO DALLAS TO LIVE WITH HER MOTHER AND STEP FATHER KELLY.
AND CHANGED HER NAME TO MADX AND THEN MORE MOVES.
AMRILLO, FOOLAKE CHARLES, AND FINALLY TO BATON ROUGE.
TWO WEEKS AFTER SETTLING IN BATON ROUGE 15 YEAR OLD DONNA MET THE LOVE OF HER LIFE NORMAN S. AITUDEANT AT UNIVERSITY HIGH AND SHE WAS A CHEER LEADER AT BATON ROUGE HIGH.
AFTER GRADUATING IN 1957 THE COUPLE MARRIED.
THEIR 58 YEAR MARRIAGE WAS FILLED WITH ADVENTURE.
>>: I THINK PEOPLE DON'T MAY NOT REALIZE HOW ADVENTURE S SHE IS.
YOU KNOW I LOVED AND LIVED THROUGH THE MANY STORIES OF HER TRAVELED WITH NORMAN.
ABSOLUTELY.
>>: THEY RAISE RACED THEIR SAIL BOAT FOR 12 YEARS AND KREUSESSED THE COAST FOR ANOTHER 35 YEARS.
>>: MOTHER A VERY COMPETITIVE.
I GREW UP IN A SAILING FAMILY.
THE WHOLE FAMILY WAS A CREW.
WE WILL RACE IT.
MY MOTHER GOT TO BE THE SKIPPER FOR THIS ONE RACE WE HAD THIS YEAR AND SHE WON.
EVERY TIME SHE ENTERED.
>>: AND THEY LOVED FLYING BOTH WERE LICENSED PILOTS.
DONNA ROLES IN THE BATON ROUGE COMMUNITY VARIES FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER TO CREATOR OF REAL TAIL STORIES FOR COMMUNITY COFFEE.
>>: SHE HELPED START A PUBLIC COMPANY CALLED THE COMMUNITY COFFEE PLACE THE PRECURE S TO TODAY COFFEE HOUSING.
A COFFEE HOUSE BEFORE THERE WERE COFFEE HOUSESSISM.
>>: BUT CLOSES TO HER HEART HAS BEEN HER INVOLVEMENT WITH FIFTY NONPROFITS MEETING THE NEEDS OF BATON ROUGE AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
>>: DONA REALLY PAVED THE WAY FOR WOMAN IN MY OPINION NOT ONLY IN COMMUNITY BUT ALSO IN A PROFESSIONAL WAY.
SHE GOT INVOLVED IN BOARDS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES.
BACK WHEN WOMANS VOICES WEREN'T HEARD SO MUCH.
>>: SHE IS A WOMANS LEAD BY ACTION, NOT JUST WORDS.
SHE BELIEVES IN EVERYTHING THAT SHE DOES AND SHE STAYS THE COURSE TO REACH WHATEVER THE STATED GOALS ARE.
>>: WHEN DONA HUSBAND NORMAN BECAME ILL SHE TOOK A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE FAMILY BUSINESS THE SOUL MANAGER OF CC HOLDER THE PARENT COMPANY OF COMMUNITY COFFEE CORPORATION.
>>: I NEVER HAD A MORE DIFFICULT AND TYPE OF DIRECTOR THAN MY OWN MOMISM SOMEONE WHO ASK THE RIGHT QUESTION AT THE RIGHT TIME AND WITHOUT REGARD TO WHO I AM AS HER SON, BUT ONLY FOR THE INTEREST OF HELPING EVERYONE IN THAT ROOM GET A BETTER PROSPECIFIC TF OF WHAT WE CAN DO TOGETHER.
>>: DONA GREATEST JOY ARE HER FAMILY FRIENDS AND FAITH.
RAISED BIG FAMILY FIVE CARRYING FAITH FILL CHILDREN WITH 13 GRAND CHILDREN AND TWO GREAT GRAND CHILDREN.
>>: MY FATHER AND MOTHER LOVE TODAY BE SEROUNDED BY ME AND MY SIBLING ALL THE CHILDREN AT THE KITCHEN TABLE.
I THINK THE JOY IT GIVERS HER TO HAVE A LARGE FAMILY EXPOO TO SERVE THEM AND ENJOY WATCHING ALL OF US GROW IN A WAYTHALITY REALLY MAKES HER PROUD AND REFLECTS HER VALUES.
>>: AFTER 67 YEARS IN BATON ROUGE DONA SAYS SHE IS GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES AND PRIVILEGES SHE HAS EXPERIENCED IN THIS WELCOMING COMMUNITY.
IT'S BEEN A LONG JOURNEY FROM A SHOT GUN HOUSE ON A DIRT ROAD TO CREATING AN ENDURING LEGACY OF CONTINUALLY PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES OF EXCELLENCE.
>>: I DON'T THINK I HAVE EVER MET ANYBODY LIKE MY MOM.
I SAY THAT NOT ONLY AS ONE OF HER CHILDREN, BUT JUST TO HEAR OTHERS SPEAK OF WHAT SHE HAS DONE.
THUNGS THAT I NEVER KNEW WHERE SHE REALLY GAVE HER HEART TO OTHER PEOPLE.
AND TRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN DONA SURAGE.
APPLAUSE.
WOW.
THANK YOU FRIENDS OF LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL EVENING AND OH, MY GOODNESS THAT VIDEO IS SO TOUCHING.
ITS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A COUNTRY GIRL FROM OKLAHOMA WOULD BE NAMED A LOUISIANA LEGEND, BUT HONESTLY WHEN I MOVED TO LOUISIANA WHEN I WAS 15 YEARS OLD I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS STATE.
I FELL IN LOVER WITH THE CULTURE AND THE FOOD AND THE COFFEE.
AND JUST THE PEOPLE HERE.
I KNEW THAT THIS WAS HOME AND THIS WAS THE STATE THAT I WANTED TO LIVE IN.
AND I'M SO GLAD THAT WE CAME HERE.
OF COURSE I DID FALL IN LOVE WITH NORMENED AND HE WAS ALWAYS MY ENCOURAGER, MY SUPPORTER, MY CHEER LEADER IN EVERYTHING I WANTED TO DO HE NEVER TRIED TO HOLD ME BACK.
HE WOULDN'T DARE TRY.
AND HE NEVER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE LONG HOURS THAT I DID SPEND TRYING TO MAKE LIFE A LITTLE BETTER FOR THE CITIZENS IN LOUISIANA.
SO TONIGHT I WANT TO SAY A FEW FAMILIAR WORLDS THAT WERE WRITTEN BY LARRY KINLEY AND I THINK THAT THESE ARE WORDS THAT ANY OF THE HONOREES COULD SAY TO SOMEONE WHO HELPED THEM ALONG THE WAY.
YOU WERE CONTENT TO LET ME SHINE, YOU ALWAYS WALKED A STEP BEHIND.
YOU WERE MY HERO, YOU WERE MY HERO.
DID I EVER TELL YOU THOU THAT YOU WERE MY HERO.
YOU WERE EVERYTHING THAT I WISHED TO BE.
I CAN FLY HIGHER THAN AN EAGLE FOR YOU WERE THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS.
IT MAY HAVE APPEARED TO GO UNNOTICED, BUT I'VE GOT IT ALL HERE IN MY HEART.
I WANT YOU TO KNOW I KNOW THE TRUTH.
OF COURSE I DO.
I WOULD BE NOTHING WITHOUT YOU.
THANK YOU NORMAN, THANK YOU LPB.
APPLAUSE OUR NEXT HAWNRY LIVED BY THE WORDS THAT HIS FATHER INSTILLED IN HIP BE A GENTLEMAN WHEN YOU WIN, BE A MAN WHEN YOU LOSE, BRING OUT THE BEST IN OTHERS.
HAVE FAITH IN THE LORD.
AND ALWAYS RESPECT YOUR MOTHER.
AND HE NEVER DREAMED HE COULD BECOME A PROFESSIONAL FOOL PLAYER BUT OUR NEXT HAWNRY WAS THE THIRD OVER ALL PICK IN THE 1960NFL DRAFT.
AND LATER WAS INDUCTED INTO THE 2019NFL HALL OF FAME.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, JOHNNY ROBINSON.
>>: APPLAUSE.
WHEN JOHNNY WAS SEVEN HE WAS AN UNUSUAL TALENT.
HE COULD DO 15, HE COULD DO 40 PUSH UPS.
HE WAS FAST AND HE COULD CATCH A BALL.
LIKE THE LSU FOOTBALL PLAYERS GOING INTO THE DINING HAUL WOULD FLOW PASSES TO HIM AND HE COULD CATCH A PASS RUNNING FULL SPEED 40 YARDS AWAY AND NEVER MISS ONE.
>>: I WAS ABOUT TEN OR 12 I GUESS AND I SAW THIS BOY PLAYING TACKLE FOOT BALL WITH A CAST ON HIS LEG AND I SAID HOW TOUGH CAN THIS KID BE AND SOMEBODY SAID WELL THAT'S JOHNNY ROBINSON.
>>: WHATGENY FIELDS TONG TIME FRIENDS SAW THAT DAY WAS WHAT MILLIONS OF FOOTBALL FANS WOULD COME TO KNOW AS THEY WATCHED HIS CAREER FLOURISH AT LSU AND THEN AT THE CHIEF.
A CUMNDING PRESENCE WAS PART OF THE ROBINSON MYSTIQUE.
ALL PROALL EVERYTHING PLAYED IN SUPERBOWL FOUR AN UPDATE OF THE VIKING WITH THREE BROKEN RIBS HE HELD SEAL THE VICARY BY INTERCEPTING A PAST.
BORN SEPTEMBER 9th 938 IN BELL HIGH LOUISIANA SON OF DUB AND JEWEL.
THE FAMILY WOULD SOON MOVE TO BATON ROUGE WHERE HIS DAD WOULD BECOME THE LONG TIME LEDGEDDARY LSU TENNIS COACH AND WHERE JOHNNY AND HIS OLDER BROTHER TOMMY ACHIEVE THEIR OWN SUCCESSES IN TENNIS AND FOR JOHNNY IN ANY SPORT HE PLAYED.
FOR TOMMY WHO WATCHED HIS YOUNGER BROTHER BY 14 MONTHS GROW UP HE ALWAYS KNEW HE WAS DESTINE FOR ETHLET ECGREATNESS.
>>: HIS WHOLE LIFE WAS BRILTT AROUND SPORTS.
IN HIGH SCHOOL ALL STATE FOOTBALL AVERAGE 30 POINTS A GAME IN BASKETBALL.
PLAYED ON THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BASEBALL TEAM AS A CATCHER.
WENT TO SYSTEMY FINALS BATTED 500 IN BASEBALL SUPPOSABLY HIS BEST SPORT.
WON A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN TENNIS AND SECOND N HUNDRED YARD DASH.
>>: FAVORITE STORY ABOUT JOHNNY AND WHAT HE BROUGHT TO THE GAME ACTUALLY OCCURRED WHEN I WAS A SOPHOMORE AND HE WAS A SENIOR AND HE CAUSE CAPTAIN HE SAID YOU'RE THE ONLY SOPHOMORE WE'RE GOING TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN DO.
SO THE NEXT NIGHT WE GO UP TO JACKARY JOHNNY AND I DEEP BACK FOR THE KICK OFF OF COURSE THEY KICK IT IT TO ME INSTEAD OF JOHNNY IT OPENED UP AND I RAN 8E CAME UP TO ME IN THE END ZONE PATTED ME ON THE BUT AND SAID I THINK WROWR RR GOING TO MAKE IT.
>>: FIELD SAYS FROM THAT TIME ON THEY WERE SPECIAL FRIENDS PIQUE HE DIDN'T HAVE A YOUNGER BROTHER I DIDN'T HAVE A BIG BROTHER.
I THINK WE JUST BONDED AND I STILL HELP ME AT LSU, MENTORED ME THERE.
HE WAS THE FIRST UNIVERSITY HIGH GRADUATE TO GET A FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIP AT A DIVISION ONE SCHOOL.
>>: ROBINSON START ON THE GREAT TEAMS OF 1958 AND 15 AND WON AN SINGLELES TITLE IN TENNISSISM HE ENTERED THE PROFOOTBALL HALL OF FAME IN 2019.
STEWARD BONDED WITH ROBINSON WHEN THE TWO PLAYED BALL IN CAN S CITY.
>>: HE WAS A TECH OF A PLAYER.
HE WAS ALWAYS IN THE MIX SOMEHOW.
HE WAS THERE.
HE WAS VERY VERY CONSCIENCE ABOUT HOW HE DID IT AND WHEN HE DID IT, YOU KNOW.
SUPERGUY.
NOT ONLY A PERSON, BUT A GOOD ATHLETE.
>>: ROBINSON WAS A TEN TIME ALL PROAND THE DHEEFS WON AN ASCENDING 35 OF 37 GAMES IN WHICH ROBINSON INCEPTED A PASS.
57 INTERCEPTIONS IN HIS PROCAREER.
WHEN HE FOUNDED JOBBEN ROBINSON BOY HOME IN MONROE IN 1980 HE BEGAM INTERCEPTING THE PROBLEM OF TROUBLED YOUTH AND STEERING THEM TOWARDS A BETTER PATH IN LIFE.
FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS HE'S DONE EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO HELP KEEP THEM SAFE.
NOT EVEN DEBILITATING ILLNESSES OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS HAVE KEPT HIM FROM HIS TRUTH LIFE WORK.
>>: HE'S ONE OF THE GREATEST ETHLETES TO EVER COME OUT OF LOUISIANA OR ANYWHERE.
COACH DIESEL TOLD ME ONE TIME AND BILLY NOT BEEN THERE HE THOUGHT JOHNNY WOULD HAVE WON THE HIEZMAN.
WHAT HE'S DONE WITH HIS LIFE POST FOOTBALL HE DESERVED ITS ITS A 24 HOUR DAY JOB WITH THAT HOME AND TOUCH THE LIVES OF SO MANY THAT NEEDED TO KNOW THEY WERE LOVED BY SOMEBODY AND SOMEBODY TO CALL DAD.
HE HAS A COURAGE AND A STRENGTH WHATEVER HE DOES ITS SOMETHING SPECIAL.
>>: GOOD EVENING MY NOMA BOB THOMPSON THE STEP SON OF JOHNNY ROBINSON.
HE STUFFERED A STROKE SOME YEARS AGO AND SUFFERED FROM THE LUNG TERM AFFECT SO I WILL BE SPEAKING FOR HIM.
HE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND HIS HEART FELT THANK YOU TO THE FRIENDS OF LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING THE GOVERNOR AND FIRST LAID EXPEA A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU TO HIS BROTHER DR. TOM ROBINSON HIS FRIEND JIMMY FIELD AND TEAMMATE FRIEND SMOKY FOR THA THE COB TRIBUTIONS TOONTD.
AS YOU SEEN DAD HAD 12 GORIOUS YEARS IN FOOTBALL WITH HIS INDUCTION TO THE PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMISM AFTER FOOTBALL DAD WANTED TO COME HOME.
1980 HE CAMBAKE AND FOUND THD JOBBIE ROBINSON BOY HOME IN 1980 WHERE I'M STANDING NOW.
ITS A HOME FOR TROUBLED KIDS.
THE PENICAL OF HIS PROFOOTBALL CAREER WAS THE INDUCTION TO THE HALL OF FAME BUT THAT'S NOT THE PINNACLE OF HIS LIFE.
THE PINNACLE OF HIS LIFE WAS HIS CALL FROM GOD TO START THIS BOYS HOME.
DAD WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE MANY SUPPORTERS, THE FRIENDS THAT HAVE HELPED HIM THREW THE YEARS AND A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU FOR RECEIVING THIS AWARD AND THIS HONOR TONIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>>: APPLAUSE.
WHAT A REMARKABLE GENTLEMAN.
WE HOPE YOU'RE WATCHING JOHNNY.
AT AN EARLY AGE OUR NEXT HAWN OARY FELT A CALL TO PUBLIC SERVICE GUIDING PRINCIPAL OF PROTECTING AND HELPING OTHERS HAS ALWAYS BEEN HIS FOCUS THROUGHOUT HIS DISTING WISHED MILITARILY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND POLITICAL CAREERS.
THE ABILITY TO SERVE OTHERS HAS BEEN ONE OF HIS GREATEST HONORS LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TERRY LANDRY.
>>: APPLAUSE.
WHAT STANDS OUT IN MY MIND WHEN I THINK OF TERRY LANDRY IS HIS COMMITMENT AND HIS DRIVE FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED IN THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.
HE LOVES TO HELP, HE LOVES TO GIVE.
>>: A RASHABLE MAN WHO ROSE FROM HUMMABLE BEGINS A NATURAL BORN LEADER A VETERAN AND FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN TO SERVE AS SUPERINTENDENT OF LOUISIANA STATE POLICE.
THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE ACCOLADES FOR FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND NEW IBERIA NATIVE TERRY LANDRY SEEN?
A.
YES THE EIGHT CHILD OF NINE.
>>: HE WAS A LOT LIKE MY MOTHER AND FATHER.
A LOT.
ALWAYS DOING THINGS FOR PEOPLE.
HE HAS FAVORITE ADULTS IN THE COMMUNITY.
AND HE WAS ALWAYS DOING SOMETHING FOR THEM.
>>: AS A YOUNG BOY TERRY OFTEN PLAYED THE GAME OF COPS AND ROBBERS.
>>: TERRY ALWAYS LIKED THAT GAME.
BUT TERRY WAS ALWAYS THE COP.
THE OTHERS WERE THE ROBBERS.
HE BROUGHT THEM FOR JUSTICE.
THAT'S ONE THING RIGHT AND WRONG I HAVE ALWAYS SEEN THAT IN HIM.
I CAN REMEMBER IN HIGH SCHOOL THAT WAS DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE INTEGRATION PRINCIPAL WOULD GO TO GET HIM TO COME AND HELP HIM TO SOLVE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS BETWEEN THE RACES REALLY.
>>: AFTER GRADUATING FROM NEW IBERIA SENIOR HIGH TERRY JOINED THE ARMY AND SERVED HONORABLY FOR THREE YEARS BEFORE RETURNING HOME.
HE BECAME ANOPHOROUSER BEFORE LEVERING TO WORK FOR SHELL OIL COMPANY.
IN 1975 TERRY MARRIED THE LOVE OF HIS LIFE SHARON BROUSSARD.
AND THEY RAISED THREE BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN BUT HIS DESIRE TO BE A POLICE OFFICER NEVER LEFT HIM.
AND IN 1978 TERRY ENTERED THE LOUISIANA STATE POLICE ACADEMY.
HE SERVED IN MANY POSITIONS PAROLE TROOPER DETECH TRVE, CHIEF OF STAFF, CUMANNER OF THE CRIME LAB AND MORE.
HE CONTINUED HIS TRAINING AT THE LSU POLICE EXECUTIVE INSTITUTE AND THE FBI ACADEMY.
BY 1997 TERRY WAS PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL AND IN 2000 GOVERNOR MIKE FASTER APPOINTED HIM AS SUPERINTENDENT OF LOUISIANA STATE POLICE.
THROUGHOUT HIS YEAR OF SERVICE TERRY SAW THE NEED TO HELP AT RISK YOUNG PEOPLE.
LONG WITH ANOTHER UIBERIA NATIVE AND BUSINESS MAN WILL YP D HE STARTED THE LOUISIANA STATE POLICE FOUNDATION TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF UNSERVED YOUTH.
>>: HE LOVED THESE YOUNG PEOPLE.
HE SAW THINGS IN THEM THAT MAY BE PARENTS DIDN'T SEE.
STARTED A SUMMER CAMP.
HIS MISSION TO TAKE KIDS THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND COME TO THIS CAMP AND BE MENTORED BY STATE TROOPERS.
TO THIS DAY THOUSANDS OF KIDS HAVE GONE TO TERRY LANDRIES CAMP.
I SAY THAT BECAUSE YES IT IS A LOUISIANA STATE FOUNDATION CAMP.
BUT TO ME IT IS TERRY LANDRIES CAMP.
>>: IN NOVEMBER 2011 TERRY WAS ELECTED TO THE LOUISIANA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND BECAME THE FIRST TO SERVE IBERIA LAFAYETTE AND ST. MARTIN PARISH IN THE NEWLY CREATED HOUSE DISTRICT 96.
HE WAS A STAUNCH ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE MEDICAID EXPENSION RESPONSIBILITY GUN ROLE AND PRISON REFORM.
>>: I'VE SEEN HIM GO FROM A TOOPER TO THE LEDGE SLAILT RVE AS A DESIRE TO IMPROVE THE STATE NOMFOR PERSONAL GAIN.
>>: ALTHOUGH TERRY NO LONGER SERVE AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL CONTINUES LIVING HIS PASSION BY REMAINING ENGAGED TO COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR UNSERVED CITIZENS.
>>: SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE AND PARTICULARLY I THINK POOR PEOPLE CHT PEOPLE WHO MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO NECESSARY ARTICULATE THE PROBLEM AND THEY CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
SOMETIMES HE BECOMES THE VOICE OF THE VOICES.
>>: SHARONS WIFE LOST A TEN YEAR BATTLE WITH CANCER.
IN THEIR 44 YEARS OF MARRIAGE SHE WAS DEVOTED TO AND SUPPORTED TERRY IN ALL OF HIS CAREER ENDEAVORS.
ALONG WITH THEIR THREE CHILDREN THE LANDRIES HAVE FIVE GRAND CHILDREN.
>>: I THINK HE'S HAD DREAMS FROM YOUNG, DREAMS THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE UNDERSTOOD AS WE WERE GOING UP.
DREAM THAT I THINK HE HAS FULFILLED IN MANY WAYS AND THAT DREAM WAS BEING A SIGNIFICANT SERVICE TO OTHER PEOPLE.
>>: APPLAUSE.
OUR LEGEND TERRY LANDRY.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AT FIRST WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR HIS GRACE AND MERCY ALL THAT HE'S DONE AND ALL THAT HE'S BLESSED ME WITH.
I WANT TO THANK LPB AND MS. BETH AND HER HUSBAND AND I HAVE KNOWN FOR 30, 40 YEARS.
I WANT TO THANK THE FOUNDATION.
I THANK ALL OF YOU AND CONGRADERATE THE HONOREES AS I APPROACH GETTING HERE GOT A FOOTBALL STAR, A SURGEON, WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE.
BY THE GRACE OF GOD I'VE MET A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY AND DOCTOR AND I WERE TALKING EARLIER WE ALL HAVE A STORY.
BUT WE ALL HAVE A FOUNDING.
AND THAT FOUNDATION STARTS WITH OUR FAMILIES.
AND OUR VALUES THAT OUR PARENTS TAUGHT US.
SOMEWHERE IN SCRIPTURE IT SAID A GOOD MAN LEAVES AN INTEARITANCE FOR HIS CHILDRENS CHILDREN AND THAT'S NOT MATERIAL THINGS.
THAT'S GOOD COMMON SENSE GOOD VALUES AND GOOD BEING.
I NEVER ASSPIRED TO BE ANYTHING BUT A GOOD HUMAN BEING.
I NEVER ASPARRED TO BE THE SUPERINNENT OF STATE POLICE.
BUT ALONG THE WAY I MET SOME GREAT PEOPLE.
I MET PEOPLE LIKE BARNY BOUDREAUX THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN THE 16 WHO I WORKED WITH ON MANY ISSUE BEHIND THE SCENE TO QUELL SOME OF THE TURMOIL IN OUR COMOINT TO HELP PUT THE COOLNESS ON SOME OF THE TEMPERATURE ON RACIAL ISSUES IN OUR AREA.
I MET BILL D ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ONE NIGHT.
AND HE WASN'T DRIVING IN A PARADE HE WAS DRIVING PRETTY QUICK.
AND I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU THE REST OF THAT STORY BUT FROM THAT DAY ON THOSE PEOPLE SAW SOMETHING IN ME THAT I DIDN'T SEE IN MYSELF.
THOSE PEOPLE INVESTED IN ME.
THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE, SO MANY PEOPLE MY FAMILY, MY SISTERS YOU SAW MY SISTER SPEAK THE OLDEST OF OUR FAMILY 83 YEARS OLD.
SHE HELPED RAISE ME.
ALL OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS THAT SUPPORTED ME.
IN SPITE OF MYSELF.
MY FATHER WAS A CREOLE FROM LOUISIANA.
OUR ROOTS GO BACK TO RECONSTRUCTION WHERE SOME OF OUR ANCESTORS SERVED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE DORTEN DURING RECONSTRUCTION.
SO WE'RE DEEPLY ROOTED IN LOUISIANA.
OUR FAMILY STAYED HERE.
MADE OUR HOMES HERE.
WE LOVE COMMUNITY COFFEE I LOVE COMMUNITY COFFEE.
ESPECIALLY THAT CAFE BLEND.
I LOVE IT.
I ONLY WANTED TO DO TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
MAKE THE PLACE THAT I DEAL WITH A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN I FOUND IT.
LIKE MANY MILLIONS OF AMERICAN I HEARD THE CALL OF A YOUNG VIBANT PRESIDENT WHO SAID ASK NOT WHAT YOUR COUNTRY CAN DO FOR YOU BUT ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR COUNTRY.
I CAN HONORED AND HUMBLED BEYOND WHAT WORDS CAN EXPRESS TO BE HERE IN THE PRESENCE OF SUCH DISTINGUISHED PEOPLE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US.
ITS NOT ABOUT ME.
ITS NEVER BEEN ABOUT ME.
ITS ABOUT US.
ITS ABOUT LOUISIANA.
I ACCEPT THIS DISTING WISHED RECOGNIZE AND AWARD ON BEHALF OF ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WENT BEFORE ME.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
AND HAVE A GOOD EVENING.
>>: APPLAUSE.
AN HONOR TO MEET YOU TONIGHT AND GLAD YOU WEREN'T IN MY TROOP BECAUSE I HAVE A FEELING WE WOULD HAVE MET A LONG TIME AGO.
HISTORY WAS MADE WHEN OUR NEXT HAWNRY WAS NAME DIRENGTER OF THE JOHNSON SPACE SUPERINHOUSTON.
CONSIDER ONE OF THE FOREMOST SCIENTIST IN THE UNITED STATES IN SPACE METABOLISM AND BIO CHEMISTRY AWARDED THE SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL AND HER RESEARCH RESULTED IN THE REQUIRE CONDENSE NECESSARY TO COMMIT ADRUNAWLTS TO THE LONG DURATION SPACE FLIGHTS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN DOCTOR CAROLYN HUNTOON.
I FIRST MET CAROLINE HUNTOON IN 1986 THE YEAR I FIRST STARTED WORKING AT NASA HER RESEARCH IN THE NEUROIND CRIM SYSTEM IN SPACE WAS IMPORTANT.
GROUND BREAKING.
RESEARCH THAT HELPED US UNDERSTAND HOW THE BODY AND THE SYSTEMS ARE CHANGING WHEN THEY GO INTO SPACE.
>>: CONSIDERED ONE OF THE FOREMOST SCIENTIST CAROLINE MADE HISTORY IN 1994 AS THE FIRST WOMAN DIRECT FERRER OF JOHNSON SPACE CENTER IN HOUSTON.
>>: SHE PLAYED AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN LEADING AN ORGANIZATION THAT CARRIED OUT WHAT ARE ARGUABLY THE GREATEST SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING FEATS THAT HUMAN BEING HAVE EVER BEEN ORGANIZED TO CARRY OUT TOORG.
>>: GREW UP IN THE SMALL TOWN OF LEESVILLE.
>>: SHE WAS THE YOUNGEST OF SIX SIBLINGS IT WAS TAUGHT TO HER FROM AN EARLY AGE THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR HER AND SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM.
>>: SHE GRADUATED IN 19 19 GRAIGHT AND ATTENDED NORTH WESTERN STATE MAJORING IN BIOLOGY AND MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY.
WHILE PURSUING A MASTER OF SCIENCE AND DOCTORAL DEGREE AT BAYLER THAT SHE MEANT WUN OF THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS.
IT WAS A KECK THAT LED TO HER WORKING AT NASA AS A PIE NEAR IN HUMAN LIFER SCIENCE RESEARCH HUNTOON KEATED AND SUPERVISED PROJECT IN THE APOLLO SKY LAB AND SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM.
IT WASN'T LONG BEFORE HE BECAME INVOLVED IN RECRUITED WOMAN.
>>: MY MOM CONTINUED TO MENTOR THE WOMAN WHO JOINED THE ASTRONAUT CLASS ON THE NEXT STREET OVER FROM MY HOUSE WHERE SALLY RIDES LIVED.
SHE OFTEN COME BY OUR HOUSE THAT WAS BEFORE SALLY WAS SELECTED AS THE FIRST WOMAN IN SPACE SEEING A YOUNG ASTRONAUT WHO WAS REALLY NEEDING MENTORSHIP AND SHE CAME TO MY MOM AND MY MOM WAS ABLE TO HER HER.
>>: CAROLYN I THINK IS A TREND SETTEDDER THAT HAS ENABLED A LOT OF WOMAN TO REALLY DO A LOT MORE.
>>: AS A RICING STAR THROUGH THE RANKS SHE WAS RECOGNIZE AS A LEADER OF ISSUE OF ARROW SPACE MEDICINE AND WORKED WITH THE SOVIET SPACE PROGRAM.
>>: THIS WAS AT A TIME WHEN RELATIONS BETWEEN THE US WERE NOT GOOD.
AND YET IN THE SORT OF COMMON SPIRIT OF SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND EXMERITATION THESE SCIENTIST GOT TOGETHER.
I HAD NO REAL EXPERIENCE IN INTERNATIONAL NEGOTIATION OR WHAT THAT WOULD TAKE.
IT WAS BIG DOOR OPENING FOR ME IN TERMS OF LEARNING NEW THINGS AND CHALLENGING MYSELF WHICH IS ACTUALLY WHAT I REALLY CREDIT CAROLYN FOR TEACHING ME.
>>: IT WAS DURING HUNT TOONS ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF THE JOHNSON SPACE ARE CENTER THE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER SHATTERED JUST 73 SECONDS FROM TAKE OFF.
>>: MY MOM HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR SELECTING MANY OF THE ASTRONAUTS THAT DIED IN THAT MISSION REALLY THE ENTIRETUANT AND CONTY WAS GRIEVING.
MY MODS LEADERSHIP PARTICULAR DURING TIMES OF DIFFICULTY AT THE JOHNSON SPACE CENTER WAS INSPIRATIONINAL.
>>: AN INKREZZABLE LEADER OBVIOUSLY.
AND AN INCREDIBLE MENTOR ESPECIALLY TO ME.
I THINK HER STRENGTH IN BEING A MENTOR IS CHALLENGING YOU TO DO SOMETHING MORE THAN YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO AND THAT'S WHAT SHE GAIRVE ME.
>>: FOLLOWING HER TIME AS NASA SERVED PRESIDENT GEORGE W BUSH AND BILL CLINTON AS THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ASUSTENT SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT.
IN THAT JOB SHE OVER SAW THE CLEAN UP OF OVER 100 OF THE NATION NUCLEAR SITES.
>>: THINKING BACK TO THE FACT THAT MY GRAND FATHER HAD A PLUMBING BUSINESS AND DROPPED OUT AT THIRD GRADE KIND OF A REMARKABLE AMERICAN DREAM STORY.
>>: MARRIED IN THE SUMMER OF 1979 CAROLYN AND HER HUSBAND RECENTLY CELEBRATED THEIR ANNIVERSARY ON A CRUISE.
CAROLINE RECENTLY LOST HER LOVERRING HUSBAND AFTER HIS BRAVE BATTLE WITH PARKINSON OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH CAROLYN AND HER FAMILY.
>>: GOOD EVENING.
VERY SORRY IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ME TO BE WITH YOU TONIGHT.
TO BE CHOSEN IS AN L LA LEGEND IS AN HONOR FOR ME.
I WANT TO THANK THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR THE RECOGNITION.
SUPPORTER OF ALL PUBLIC BROADCASTING ESPECIALLY LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.
I FOLLOW THE LEGENDS AWARDS AND ALWAYS BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THOSE RECOGNIZED.
TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS HONOR IS TRULY INCREDIBLE.
ALWAYS BEEN LOUISIANA.
FOR THOSE THAT MAY NOT IMOI LEESVILLE A SMALL TOWN IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE STATE.
SIX CHILD OF CLOD AND LUCILLE.
THE TRAGIC LOST OF MY MOTHER WHEN I WAS FIVE YEARS OLD LED TO AN UNUSUAL AND WONDERFUL UP BRINGING.
MY ANSWER HAS AWL BEEN I WAS RAISED BY MY FATHER AND MY SIBLINGS THEY KEPT ME ON THE STRAIGHT AND ARROW.
MY FATHER SET THE PARAMETERS WITH HIS WORK ETHIC INTEG RUITARY AND LOVE FOR THE COUNTRY THAT ESTABLISHED THE PATH FOR US.
THE FAMILY BECAME MORE COMPLETE WITH THE ADDITION OF THE SISTER IN LAW AND FOUR DELIGHTFUL BROTHERS IN LAW.
THESE FIVER PEOPLE ADDED PERSONALITY INTELLECT AND MUCH THREUIVE OURR FAMILY.
AS JOHN STARTED WORKING AT NASA.
MY HUSBAND OF 51 YEARS.
MARRIED IN LEESVILLE.
THE FIRST MEMBER OF OUR FAMILY NOT FROM THE SOUTH HE TAUGHTURE FAMILY A LOT.
OUR DAUGHTER SALLY AN WAS BORN AND GREW UP IN HOUSTON.
SHE HER DAD AND I SPEND AS MUCH TIME AS WE COULD IN LOUISIANA WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILISM SHE GREW UP AS CLOSE TO HER COUSINS AND SIBLINGS.
WHILE IN COLLEGE SHE MOVED TO BOSTON AND MARRIED MICHAEL.
THEY HAVE BLESSED US WITH TWO GRAND DAUGHTERS.
THESE WONDERFUL GIRLS HAVE SHONE ME WHAT IT REALLY IS IMPORTANT IN LIFER.
MY EDUCATION LEESVILLE AND NORTH WESTERN GAVE ME THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL FUTURE ENDEAVORSISM MY WONDERFUL TEACHERS.
AND YES WE STILL HAVE CLASS REUNIONS FOR THE CLASS OF 58.
MY LAST YEAR OF COLLEGE WAS AWTIONNER FOUNDING HOSPITAL NEW ORLEANS WHERE I COMPLETED THE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
THIS YEAR SOLIDIFIED MEDICINE AND MY LOVE FOR NEW ORLEANS.
AND BIO CHEMISTRY AT BAYER COLLEGE OF MEDICINE Y.
STARTED MY ADVENTURE ADVENTURE.
FOR THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS STARTING AS A BENCH SCIENTIST AT THE JOHNSON SPACE CENTER.
MANAGING THOUSANDS OF CONTRACT ENGINEERS IN SCIENTIST TO CONDUCT SPACE SHUTEDDAL MISSION AND TO DESIGN AND BUILD SPACE MISSION IS CHALLENGING AND CHIETING.
THE LARGE WORK OF SCIENTIST AND ENGINEERS.
TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AS THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGE I AGAIN MANAGED AT NATIONAL LEVEL A LARGE WORK FORCE RESPONSIBLE FOR STATE ALIGN CLEANING UP NEW LAR WASTE ACROSS OUR NATION.
RETIRED FROM FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ENJOYING SPENDING TIME WITH MY FAMILY, SPEAK ABOUT MY WORK, MENTORING YOUNG WOMAN AND MEN INTERESTING IN PURSUING CAREERS IN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AND EXPOSING MY FRIENDS TO GUMO, DIRTY RICE AND JAM BALIE.
THE REAL CHALLENGE IS FINDING CRAWFISH.
RIGHT NOW ONE OF MY FAVORITE THINGS TO DO IS TO AND THEY ALWAYS DO YOU'RE NOT FROM HERE AND I SAY NO, I'M FROM LOUISIANA.
>>: APPLAUSE.
CONGRATULATIONS CAROLYN.
YOU'RE CERTAINLY AN INSPIRATION FOR LOTS OF YOUNG GIRLS WHO ARE THINKING ABOUT BECOMING A SIGN CYST.
WE ARE SO PROUD TO HONOR YOU.
WHEN A DOCTOR TAKES THE HIPPOCRATIC OATH HE OR SHE PROMISES TO PROTECT ALL LIFE.
TONIGHT WE CELEBRATE A MEDICAL VISIONINARY WHOSE COURAGE CHANGED THE WORLD AND HAS TRANSFORMED CARIAC HEALTHCARE THROUGH HIS INNOVATIVE WORK AND PIONEERING RESEARCH.
A HUMMABLE COMPATIENT DOCTOR DEDICATED TO CHILDREN LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, TERRY KING.
DR. TERRY KING.
>>: APPLAUSE.
ON HIS MANY VISITS TO AN UNCLE IN SHREVEPORT TERRY KING A YOUNG COUNTRY BOY RAISED IN TEXAS FELL IN LOVE WITH NORTH LOUISIANA.
TERRY AND HIS BROTHER RICHARD GREW UP ON A RANCH IN TEXAS.
HIS PARENTS VALUE HARD WORK AND TAUGHT THEIR SONS TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
TARA PLAYED SUMMER BASEBALL AND A MEMBER OF INTRACK TEAM WHERE TEACHERS VOTED HIM OUT STANDING SENIOR BOY.
WHILE PURSUING A MASTER OF ARTS DEYE AT THE UNIVERSITY ORPHTEXAS HE DECIDED TO ENTER THE UNIVERSITY MEDICAL SCHOOL AND ONLY TWO YEARS AND NINE MONTHS HE OBTAINED A MEDICAL DEGREE.
HE COMPLETED HIS POST GRADUATE WORK IN PEDIATRICS AND PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY ADD DUKE UNIVERSITY.
DURING HIS TIME AS AN AIR FORCE MAJOR TARRIES SKILLS AS A PACK TITIANNER AND THE LAB WERE REFINED.
NO ONE AGREED WITH HIM HEELT HE COULD CLOSE HOLES IN THE HEART WITH A CATHETER RATHER THAN PERFORMING OPEN HEART SURGERY.
IN 1972 DRE JOINED THE OCHSNER CLINIC AND WORKED WITH THREE INCREDIBLE SURGEON DOCTOR ALVIN AND JOHN AWTIONNER AND DOCTOR NOEL MILLS IT WAS DOCTOR MILLS A CORVASCULAR URNL SURGEON WHO AGREED CLOSING HOLES WITHOUT SURGERY WAS POSSIBLE AND THE TWO INVENTED THE KEEN MILLS CARIAC UMBRELLA.
IN 1973 THE FIRST PERSON IN THE WORLDS TO SUCK SEASFULLY CLOSE AN AIL REERAL DEFECT IN A HUMANISM.
>>: HE'S PERSONALLY PERFOMMED HIS PROCEDURE ON HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN BABIES THE TECHNIQUE HAS BEEN USED WORLD WILD SO MULTIPLY THAT YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF NBDZ YOU HAVE BUT ITS GOING TO BE IN THE THOUSANDS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.
SPENT A LOT OF TIME AT THE HOSPITAL.
TAKING CARE OF VERY SICK KIDS.
WE WERE JUST INIA OF WHAT THINGS HE WOULD TELL US HE WOULD BE DOING AT TIMES.
YOU KNOW HEARTS BEING OUTSIDE OF LITTLE BABIES BODIES AND HAD TO PUT THOSE BACK IN.
GOT GAVE HIM THAT TALENT TO DO THAT.
>>: I MET DR. KING IN ABOUT 1972 WHEN OUR OLDEST DAUGHTER WAS AN INFANT AND WE WERE REFERRED TO HIM BECAUSE SHE HAD A HOLE IN HER HEART.
IT HAD TO BE FIXED.
BUT WE WOULD TO WAIT UNTIL SHE WAS FIVE YEARS OLD TO DO THE SURGERY.
IT TOOK ME A LITTLE WHILE TO PROCESS WHAT HE SAID AND I REALIZED THAT HE HAD CARRIED US THROUGH THOSE FIRST FEW HOURS SO WELL AND ABLE TO MAKE US FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH WHAT HE HAD FACING US.
>>: TERRY HAS DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN AND EDUCATING OTHERS TO DO SO AND ALWAYS CARED FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE IN THE STATE.
>>: MY FATHER LIKES TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE.
SO HE'S ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP.
EVERY TIME SOMEBODY NEEDS MONEY FOR MEDICINE HE'S ALWAYS PULLING MONEY OUT TO GIVE THAT TO THEM.
HE'S JUST A KIND, KIND PERSON AND HIS PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE TRY TO TREAT EVERYBODY LIKE YOU WOULD WANT TO BE TREATED.
>>: TERRY MOVED TO NORTH LOUISIANA IN 1978 AND OPENED THE NEO NATAL EXTENSIVE CARE UNIT.
NEXT CAME THE CATHETERIZATION LAB AND PEDIATRIC INTENSIVE CARE UNIT.
KEEPING FAMILIES WITH SICK CHILDREN CLOSE TOGETHER WAS IMPORTANT.
>>: HE AND ALEX GEORGE AND STEVE STARTED RONDEL MCDONALD HOUSE AND DO DAY THAT WAS BACK IN THE SEARVETS AND DO THIS DAY PEOPLE CAN TAKE ADVANTP OF BEING CLOSE TO THE HOSPITAL PIQUE WHILE MAINTAINING HIS PRACTICE IN NORTH LOUISIANA SPENT SEVEN YEARS BUILDING THE WEST JEFFERSON MEDICAL CENTER.
ALSO IN 1978 KINGS LAND RATCH WHICH WITH THE HELP OF HIS SONS HAS GROWN TO AN 800 FIFTY ACRE CATTEDDAL RANCH.
>>: TERRY CONRUBEUGZS HIS RESTAURANT BUSINESS, RANCH BUSINESS, OTHER BUSINESSES THAT HE'S INVOLVED IN.
PRETTY ASTOUNDING FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS A TREMENDOUSLY FULL MEDICAL SCHEDULE.
>>: TERRY AND HIS WIFE NANCY HAVE FIVE WONDERFUL CHILDREN AND 15 PICTURE PERFECT GRAND CHILDREN.
OFTEN BE FOUND FISHING OFF OF THE DOCK.
>>: I LOVE MY FATHER.
HE WORKED SO HARD.
ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT HOW HE CAN MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR EVERYBODY AROUND HIM JUST TICKLED TO DEATH TO BE HIS SON.
>>: APPLAUSE.
DR. TERRY KING.
MY GOODNESS.
FOR A COUNTRY BOY THIS HAS BEEN QUITE AN EXPERIENCE.
AND I DON'T OFTEN EAT THAT WELL EITHER.
SO I WANT TO COME BACK IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT.
LIKE DONNA I WAS NOT BORN IN LOUISIANA LIVING IN LOUISIANA WAS MY CHOICE.
THERE ARE MANY REASONS I LOVE THIS STATE AND I CAN MAKE A TWO HOUR PROGRAM JUST TELLING YOU ABOUT IT.
BUT WE'LL DEFER THAT FOR NOW.
SUFACE TO SAY COULD IT BE THE BEAUTIFUL TERRAIN, THE GREEN ROLLING HILLS THE FERTILE SOIL, THE BEAUTIFUL LAKES AND RIVERS.
OR EVEN THE NATURAL SPRINGS THAT PRODUCE PRES TEEN WATER.
BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT IT IS.
COULD IT ALSO BE THE ABUNDANT WILD LIFE THAT CREATED OUR NICK NAME SPORTS MAN PARDIZE OR COULD IT BE THE FOUR SEASONS ESPECIALLY SPRING AND FALL THAT ARE SO BEAUTIFULLY ORCHESTRATED EVERY YEAR IN LOUISIANA.
BUT THAT'S NOT IT EITHER.
YOU MIGHT EVEN GUESS THAT ITS THE MYSTIQUE OF OUR CITIES AND BAYOUS OR THAT LOUISIANA IS THE HOME OF THE BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD WHICH YOU EXPERIENCED TONIGHT.
AND YOU WOULD BE CLOSE TO BEING CORRECT LOUISIANA IS ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
BUT THERE'S ONE PROFOUND REASON THAT I LOVE LOUISIANA.
THE MOST AWESOME THING ABOUT LOUISIANA IS THE PEOPLE.
I'VE TRAVELED THIS STATE FROM CORNER TO CORNER AND I DARE SAY I PROBABLY CARED FOR CHILDREN IN EVERY PARISH OF THIS STATE AND I'VE ALWAYS BELIEVED I TRULY BELIEVE THE GREATEST RESPONSIBILITY YOU CAN GIVE ANOTHER PERSON IS THE CARE OF YOUR CHILD.
SO TO EACH AND EVERY PARENT THAT TRUSTED ME IND OUR COLLEAGUES WITH THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT FROM GOD I SAY THANK YOU.
THERE'S NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THAT PEOPLE ARE LOUISIANAS GREATEST AST AND I KNOW AND I'M FREELY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT ALL OF MY TALENTS ARE A GIFT FROM GOD.
AND I KNOW THAT GOD HAS PLACED ME IN THE PLACE I'M SUPPOSED TO BE.
IT WAS MILLS THAT TRULY BELIEVED THE UMBRELLA COULD BE DONE.
NOBODY IN THE WORLD BELIEVED THAT BUT ONE DOCTOR AND ME.
IT WAS JOHN ASHNER SENIOR AND MANY OTHERS AT THE CLINICTHALITY SUPPORTED OUR PIONEER EFFORTS TO FIND A BETTER WAY TO REPAIR CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE WHICH NOW IS AN OUT PATIENT PROCEDURE.
ITS THE PEOPLE THAT MAKE A HOSPITAL.
AND I HAVE BEEN PRIRVEOLOGGED TO KNOW AND WORK WITH SOME OF THE FINEST DOCTORS THAT MEDICINE HAS TO OFFER.
PATIENTS ARE CARED FOR BY MANY VINYLS WHO WORK BEHIND THE SCENES ON EVERY SHIFT, EVERY DEPARTMENT IN EVERY CAPACITY AND EACH HAS HELPED BRING ME TO THIS EVENING.
IT IS BEFITTING THAT I AM HONORED TO STAND HERE TODAY ON NATIONAL NURSES DAY.
AND I SAY THANK YOU TO THE INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE CHOSEN NURSING AS THEIR CALLING.
YOUR KNOWLEDGE, YOUR DEDICATION, YOUR INTUITION AND THE PASSION FOR YOUR PROFESSIONAL HAS MADE A PROFOUND DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE.
IT TAKES ALL OF US.
WE'VE BEEN TRUSTED BY SO MANY AND ALL OF US ARE IMPORTANT.
SO THIS HONOR TODAY IS FOR YOU ALL.
AND I THANK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU WHO HAVE BEEN THE PART OF MY MEDICAL JOURNEY.
I'M JUST A COUNTRY DOCTOR BUT I WAS SMART ENOUGH TO SURROUND MYSELF WITH VERY TALENTED PEOPLE.
I'VE ALWAYS BEEN BLESSED TO PARTICIPATE IN MANY INDUSTRIES IN THIS STATE.
AND IN EACH HAS ITS OWN SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART WITH ITS OWN SPECIAL PEOPLE.
AND I HOLD DEAR THE MANY FRIENDS THAT HAVE STOOD BY ME, GIVEN MY WISE COUNSEL AND HAVE SPONSORED ME AND SUPPORTED ME AND ASSISTED ME AND LOVERED ME THROUGH MY LIFE.
AND I'M GLAD MY FAMILY AND MY EXTENDED FAMILY LIVE IN LOUISIANA.
I LOVE YOU DEARLY AND I CHERISH OUR TIME TOGETHER.
I'M HAPPY THAT MY CHILDREN HAVE STAYED IN LOUISIANA AND I'M ALSO GRATEFUL THAT MY GRAND CHILDREN ARE BEING RAISED IN SPORTS MAN PARDOUS.
LOUISIANA IS OUR HOME.
I WOULD BE REMISED IF I DIDN'T TALK ABOUT THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON NANCY YOU ARE MY FRIEND, MY LOVING WIFE AND YOU'RE THE ONE THAT KEEPS THE CIRCLE GOING AND KEEPS EVERYTHING IN LINE THAT DOESN'T FALL OFF.
SO I THANK MY THANKS TO YOU AND EVERYONE AT LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR THIS RECOGNITION AND THIS WONDERFUL EVENING.
HUMBLED TO BE ON THIS STAGE AND IN THE PRESENCE OF YOU ALL AND I CHERISH THE ASSOCIATION WITH OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN SO HONORED.
THANKS TO YOU ALL THE PEOPLE ACROSS MY LIFE THAT HAVE MADE THIS HAPPEN.
AS I SAID IN THE BEGINNING I CHOSE LOUISIANA AND IT TURNS OUT THIS WAS THE BEST CHOICE THAT I COULD EVER MADE IN MY LIFE.
MAY GLAWD GODS YOU AND KEEP YOU.
THANK YOU.
>>: APPLAUSE.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOUR 2021 LOUISIANA LEGENDS.
>>: APPLAUSE.
>>: I NOW LIKE TO CALL ON COMMISSIONER OF ADMINISTRATION JAY DARDEN FOR A SPECIAL PRESENTATION.
JAY, WELCOME HOME.
>>: THANK YOU BETH.
WHAT AN INSPIRATIONAL EVENING.
IT NEVER FAILS WHEN LOUISIANA LEGENDS GALA ROLLS AROUND EVERY YEAR IN THIS BUILDING, A BUILDING SOMEONE ONCE SAID A PLACE OF GREAT MEN MAG NICHESENT JESTTURES POLITICAL ENTRY AND & CAR AND I ADD GREAT WOMAN AS WELL.
IT NEVER FAILS WHEN LPB GATHERS FOR LOUISIANA LEGENDS WE'RE INSPIRED WE CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN TONIGHT.
MY PLEASURE TO REPRESENT GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS THIS EVENING.
AS YOU KNOW PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS HERE TONIGHT.
THE GOVERNOR DECLARED IT LOUISIANA LEGENDS DAY IN LOUISIANA IN RECOGNITION OF ALL OF OUR HONORARIES TONIGHT.
>>: APPLAUSE.
>>: I KNOW WORKING HERE AND ALL OF YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY THE COMMON THREAD THAT RAN THROATHE STORY WE HEARD TONIGHT WERE A LOVE OF LOUISIANA AND A LOVE OF FAMILY.
AND THAT'S WHAT LOUISIANA IS ALL ABOUT.
ROOTED IN FAMILY AND ROOTED IN THE GREAT FERTILE SOIL THAT MAKES LOUISIANA SO SPECIAL.
ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL HONOREES THANKS TO LBP FOR THE GREAT WORK THEY DO.
TO ALL OF YOU THEY MAKE US PROUD.
THANK YOU.
AND THANK YOU JAY.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR HELP.
>>: AND NOW LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO PAUSE AND REMEMBER THE LOUISIANA LEGENDS WHO HAVE PASSED ON BUT NOT BEFORE LEAVINGTHEIR MARK.
THESE INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUALS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN BECAUSE OF WHO THEY WERE AND WHAT THEY MEANT TO LOUISIANA.
AND WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE TO ALL OF OUR STATE AS THEY CONTINUE TO BE AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL.
>>: ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE AT LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HOW PROUD WE ARE TO HAVE BEEN PART OF THE STATES HISTORY FOR MORE THAN 45 YEARS.
AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU.
BE PROUD OF LOUISIANA AND TONIGHT WE'VE HEARD STORIES THAT MAKE US PROUD TO BE LOUISIANIANS AND TO ALL OF US AGAIN THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING WITH US YOU AT HOME AND YOU HERE IN THIS BEAUTIFUL BUILDING THANK YOU AND GOOD NIGHT.
GOOD NIGHT.
>>: THANK YOU EVERYONE.
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