Bobby Jindal
Blog
Welcoming International Leaders to Louisiana
April 23rd, 2008 | Posted by admin|
|
| Governor Jindal and the First Lady of Louisiana greet President Bush as he arrives in New Orleans. |
Dear Friends,
Welcoming International Leaders to Louisiana
I was honored this week to welcome President Bush, Mexican President Felipe Calderón, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to New Orleans for the opening of the Mexican Consulate and the North American Leader’s Summit. New Orleans has long been an international city, and it speaks loudly towards the direction the city is taking that it was chosen to host this important summit.
With the widening of the Panama Canal expected to be complete by 2014, larger cargo ships will be able to enter the Gulf. With Louisiana being home to five of the nation’s largest ports, we must take advantage of this opportunity. With our recent investment in our ports, Louisiana will be poised to play an even greater role in the global economy.
The Summit put Louisiana again on the world stage to show the progress that we have made after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the help that is still needed to help us fully recover. It was great to hear the support of Presidents Bush and Calderón and Prime Minister Harper for New Orleans and the rest of our state.
Visiting With Fellow Governors
Last week I met with governors from around the country and I heard many encouraging words regarding our ethics and tax reform packages from them. That same excitement was seen in a recent LSU study that showed 51 percent of Louisianians were optimistic about the future of our state - an 18 percent increase from just a year ago.
The theme of the governors’ forum was energy, an issue that is obviously very important to us here in Louisiana. We have long been a key link in the nation’s energy chain, given our offshore production in the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana will remain a significant player in our nation’s energy policy for years to come, and it was great to discuss our nation’s energy needs and plans with my fellow Governors.
“Survey: Education, not hurricanes, now top concern,” Associated Press
Tapping Louisiana’s Workforce Potential
I was pleased to visit Lake Charles, Alexandria and Shreveport during the past week, and it was great to hear such widespread support for our workforce development goals. Also, this past week, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber endorsed our workforce legislation, saying that the plan will create an integrated workforce delivery structure that is more effective at meeting the needs of the business community. Our state has a vast potential that has been untapped for decades, and we can no longer wait to improve the way our state trains its workforce.
We must improve training for our students, starting not just in college or technical school, but in high schools and middle schools. We must improve our state’s ability to respond to inquires for economic expansion, as we have missed out on too many opportunities in the past. And finally, we must update the goals and mission of the Department of Labor to fit a 21st century workforce, not those of 20 or 50 years ago.
“Chamber Backs Workforce Package,” Baton Rouge Advocate
“Legislation Trying to Connect Jobs and Workers,” Shreveport Times
“Editorial: Workforce Plan Off to a Good Start,” Shreveport Times
Geaux Hornets!
Following the resurgence of the Saints and LSU’s National Championship, Hornets fever is now sweeping across the state. Following the Hornet’s victories over the Dallas Mavericks in games one and two of their playoff series, it is shaping up to be a very exciting playoff run for the team.
I hope you will all join me in cheering the Hornets in game three Friday night and throughout the rest of the playoffs.
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Archives
Categories
- campaign (4)
- ethics (1)
- holiday messsage (2)
- holidays (3)
- students (1)
- Uncategorized (5)
- website (17)
Stay Connected
