Punishing Sexual Predators

November 11th, 2008 | Posted by bobbyjindal

Dear Friends,

Punishing Sexual Predators

I was proud to join Colonel Mike Edmonson, Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, and U.S. Attorney David Dugas last Friday to announce that Operation Child Watch, a joint effort among law enforcement agencies across the state to track down sexual predators, has led to the arrest of 17 men involved in child pornography throughout south Louisiana. This one of the vilest crimes imaginable and we will not tolerate the actions of anyone who seeks to harm our children.

Operation Child Watch is part of our continuing commitment to crack down on child predators, and follows this year’s legislative session where we passed multiple pieces of legislation to bring stricter punishment to these criminals. As reported by the Monroe News-Star, Louisiana “has some of the toughest anti-pornography laws and sentences in the country.”

We will continue working to develop stricter laws and stronger sentences to help combat those who would harm our children. We are sending a message that if you want to hurt or molest a child, or stalk them on the Internet, you had better not do it in Louisiana. There is only one place for those who would commit such crimes - the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola.

Expanding Opportunities for Louisiana Businesses

I traveled to Monroe last week to attend the Northern regional Workforce Summit. We have transformed Louisiana’s Department of Labor from a 20th century model to the new, 21st century Louisiana Workforce Commission, which is, as the Monroe News-Star wrote, “designed to match industry needs with training services.”

We also announced this past week that the Louisiana Department of Economic Development will create a Business Retention and Expansion Group that will, as noted by the New Orleans Times Picayune, “focus solely on addressing the challenges and opportunities of the state’s existing employers.” While it is certainly important that we work to bring new businesses and economic opportunities to our state, it is absolutely critical that we work to support our homegrown and currently existing businesses.

Working to Improve Graduation Rates
Governor Jindal meets with students at the Governor’s Mansion.

Recently officials and agencies from across the state met in Baton Rouge to discuss ways to improve graduation rates throughout the state. Our office has partnered with the Louisiana Department of Education and the non-profit Education’s Next Horizon to find solutions to issues affecting our educational system, such as that nearly one-third of 8th graders do not graduate high school within five years.The summit held in Baton Rouge focused on, as reported by the Shreveport Times, “solutions and best practices in three areas: early detection and community support systems, truancy and attendance and connecting school to the future.” By bringing together and working with District Attorneys, Truancy Officers, District Superintendents, and other local leaders, we will implement the solutions our students need to graduate from high school and create a better future for themselves and their families.

We have already taken steps towards this goal by focusing on dual enrollment programs in our high schools and junior highs, which give students at a young age concrete evidence of what they can work towards with their degree and give them the training they need to succeed when entering the workforce. We will continue working to ensure that the courses offered to our students match with the job training requirements they will see in the future, and that strong support systems are in place, including teachers, counselors, administrators, and, most importantly, parents.

Veterans Day

I hope you will all join me today in honoring our veterans and celebrating their contributions to our nation.  I was honored to attend the Louisiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs Annual Veterans Day Ceremony this morning, and I would also encourage you to seek out a veteran and thank them for the sacrifices they have made for our nation. We have seen in recent months both abroad and at home how important our servicemen and women are to the continued well-being of our country, and I extend my deepest appreciation for all of their service.

Sincerely,

 

 Bobby Jindal

Governor Bobby Jindal

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