"VOLUNTEERISM and CITIZEN SERVICE must lead Louisiana's recovery effort." -Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu The Louisiana Serve Commission is pleased to announce Volunteer Louisiana, a website and call center that matches volunteers with service opportunities throughout the state. Visit www.volunteerlouisiana.gov or call 866-286-3835 or 225-342-3070 to find out how you can begin a summer of service.

Louisiana State Parks and the National Register Thirteen Louisiana State Parks sites are on the National Register of Historic Places. They include: Audubon State Historic Site Centenary State Historic Site Fort Pike State Historic Site Fort Jesup State Historic Site Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site Mansfield State Historic Site Marksville... Learn More >>

June 24, 2008

CONTACT:
Seth Harvey
225-342-8153

BATON ROUGE - Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu announced today that Secretary Dawn Romero Watson of the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism (DCRT) will be resigning as secretary due to new financial disclosure laws. She will serve as the Secretary through June 30, 2008. Lt. Gov. Landrieu has appointed Pam Breaux, who currently serves as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Cultural Development, as acting Secretary.

"I appreciate Secretary Watson's dedication and service to the department and to the people of Louisiana. She has worked tirelessly to make our agency more effective and responsive. I wish her all the best in her future endeavors," said Lt. Gov. Landrieu. "I look forward to working closely with Pam Breaux as we continue our integrated approach to growing jobs through tourism and culture. Pam is a gifted administrator, and has been instrumental in many of our important efforts including the Main Street Initiative, the World Cultural Economic Forum and the Cultural Economy Initiative, where she worked side by side with our cultural stakeholders and tourism industry."

"Having worked with Pam on a number of occasions, I know that she is extremely talented and very passionate about her work," said Barry Erwin, president and CEO of the Council for a Better Louisiana. "With her experience, she will do a great job in leading the department."

Breaux, a Lafayette native, has served as Assistant Secretary for the Office of Cultural Development since 2004. She is also Secretary of the Board for the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, Vice President of Programs for the Southern Arts Federation, and a member of the Advisory Board for the Louisiana Creole Heritage Center.

"I have the highest respect and admiration for Pam Breaux," said Shelley Johnson, executive director of the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau. "She has a complete understanding of how entities can collaborate to produce remarkable results, and this experience will serve her well in promoting Louisiana's tourism industry."

"Pam Breaux personifies the vision, energy and focus that DCRT offers to the citizens of Louisiana and to the nation," said Jonathan Katz, executive director of the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. "We know Pam well, we applaud Lt. Gov. Landrieu for appointing her as acting Secretary, and we look forward to supporting her success as she takes on these exciting new responsibilities."

"Pam has an incredible background and is certainly qualified for the position," said Genny Nadler Thomas, executive director of the Louisiana Association of Museums. "She has a strong understanding of the arts, as well as of many other areas. We look forward to working with her."

Breaux will assume her new responsibilities on July 1, 2008.