David Cay Johnston: “40 years ago, when my wife, Mary, and I were students at LSU, we discussed my dream of some day serving in the U.S.…”

“40 years ago, when my wife, Mary, and I were students at LSU, we discussed my dream of some day serving in the U.S. Senate. I am one of those few fortunate human beings who have seen his dreams fulfilled in the fullest and most satisfying sense. This year, 1995, marks my 31st consecutive year in elective office. Over 22 of those years have been in this most noble and hallowed institution. James MacGregor Burns says that the measure of a man is not the honors he has received, but the difference he has made by his service. Mr. President, I believe that, working with my colleagues and a wonderful staff, we have made a difference for Louisiana. When I first started working on the North-South Highway for Louisiana, the trip was bumpy, dangerous, and slow. Today, Interstate 49 competes for motor freight shipments with a brand new Red River navigation system. We have improved our ports, dredged our rivers and harbors and built levees to control our flooding. By Federal statute, we have set aside over $600 million in a so-called 8(g) fund for education, and we have built research facilities and secured research funds for all our institutions of higher learning in Louisiana. By Federal law, we have created nine wildlife refuges, with more than 100,000 acres of protected land, and three national parks that now receive over 1 million visitors a year. I am proud of these accomplishments, but I am most proud of what they will mean for the young people of our State.”