Central Louisiana News

Yesterday afternoon, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), visited the West Ouachita Senior Center, where he toured the facility and learned about its various programs for seniors. He also visited the Ouachita Council on Aging, serving meals to seniors alongside Ouachita Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw.

At the West Ouachita Senior Center, Cassidy was briefed on food programs, preventative health services, recreational events, and other initiatives for seniors. "I compliment West Monroe for their senior center," said Dr. Cassidy. "It is a gathering place which promotes independence, mental, and physical health. As a doctor and as a Senator, I admire how well it works."

In Washington, Cassidy is advocating for local senior citizens by ensuring they receive their Social Security benefits. To prevent a 21% cut in Social Security benefits in nine years, he has proposed creating a separate investment fund to replenish the Social Security Trust Fund over 75 years and make the program more equitable. Part of this proposal includes urging Congress to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset.

Officials at both senior centers welcomed Cassidy's visit. Ms. Hilburn, Director of Community Services for West Monroe, stated: "We are so pleased to be able to host U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy at the West Ouachita Senior Center... The Senior Center serves thousands of senior adults each year through a variety of classes, workshops, social events and making valuable resources available to seniors including exercise and medical equipment, food boxes, fans, and other needed items."

Ms. Loretta Lowery-Hudson, Executive Director of the Ouachita Council on Aging, added: "It was a phenomenal visit... The seniors enjoyed the visit, and we’re looking forward to what our Senator has in the future for our elderly population."

Earlier in the day, Cassidy spoke at the annual Ouachita Green Awards honoring citizens and small businesses dedicated to environmental cleanliness. "We should all commit to having a cleaner environment," said Dr. Cassidy. "The bipartisan infrastructure bill is paying to cap abandoned gas wells and replace deteriorated infrastructure... Together we make Ouachita a better place to live."

Cassidy's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes funding for brownfield clean-ups; last year $872,900 was granted for the Ouachita Candy Company site in Monroe with additional clean-up efforts funded this year in Alexandria, Baker, Bogalusa, and Pineville.

Additionally, Cassidy introduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economics and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act aimed at eliminating state revenue sharing caps on offshore energy development to allow Louisiana more funds for coastal rebuilding while creating similar revenue streams for wind energy projects off the Gulf of Mexico.

Ouachita Green collaborates with Keep Louisiana Beautiful’s affiliates in protecting their environment through various initiatives including an annual Awards Luncheon where individuals and businesses are honored for their contributions.

"We sincerely appreciate U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy serving as the keynote speaker for the annual Ouachita Green Awards Luncheon," said Ms. Courtney Hornsby from Ouachita Green's board. "Ouachita Green is leading litter abatement efforts... We value Senator Cassidy’s commitment... Thank you...for supporting us in this effort!"