From left are LFT President Steve Monaghan, Rep. John Bel Edwards and Tangipahoa Federation of Teachers President Doris Flanagan.
Two State Representatives have been recognized for their commitment to public education and the teachers and school employees who dedicate their careers to the children of our state.
Representative John Bel Edwards of Amite and Representative Harold Ritchie of Bogalusa were named Legislators of the Year at the 45th annual convention of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers.
Both Rep. Ritchie and Rep. Edwards had 100% positive voting records with LFT for the 2008 and 2009 Regular Sessions. They demonstrated their support for public education by opposing vouchers for religious and private schools and for restoring budget cuts to higher education. Teachers and school employees appreciate their efforts to protract state retirement systems, to provide pay supplements for school staff, and to provide extended sick leave for school employees.
LFT President Steve Monaghan said that Rep. Edwards “brings his strong analytical skills to the debate over education policy. He asks the hard questions of friends and foes alike. His passion for fairness and his belief that every child deserves a quality education aligns him with the values of the LFT.
From left are LFT President Steve Monaghan, St. Tammany Federation President Elsie Burkhalter and Rep. Harold Ritchie.
Of Rep. Ritchie, Monaghan said, “He has a deep understanding of the legislative process, and he uses it to protect the interests of the average Louisiana working family. He is a legislator you can count on to talk the talk and walk the walk as a quiet warrior for public education.”