Senator Bill Cassidy sends message to Louisiana electric cooperatives

This week the Association of Louisiana Electric Cooperatives (ALEC) planned to bring almost 20 delegates to Washington, D.C. for the 2020 Youth Tour.  Each year, Wednesday is designated as Capitol Hill day for the delegates.  Appointments are scheduled with their U.S. Senators and Representatives.  Students have the opportunity to speak to their Congressmen about  electric cooperatives as well as issues that are important to their communities back home.  Due to COVID-19, the 2020 Youth Tour trip to Washington, D.C. was cancelled along with the appointments scheduled with Congressmen.

Senator Cassidy graciously recorded a video message for the 2020 delegates regarding the recent broadband initiatives from ALEC for rural Louisiana.  The congressman also commended the electric cooperatives on their work keeping the lights on during the pandemic when medical and emergency services are so important to our communities.

Each year our member Louisiana electric cooperatives send local high school students to our nation’s capital.  During the trip, students learn about electric cooperatives and get a close up look at our government in action. In light of the recent pandemic Louisiana electric cooperatives: Beauregard Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BECi); Claiborne Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Dixie Electric Membership Corporation (DEMCO); Jefferson Davis Electric Co-op, Inc. (JDEC); South Louisiana Electric Cooperative Association (SLECA); and Washington-St. Tammany Electric Cooperative, Inc. (WSTE) have agreed to send their 2020 Youth Tour delegates to Washington, D.C. for the 2021 Youth Tour next year in addition to their 2021 delegates.

Cooperatives adhere to seven cooperative principles.  Commitment to community is one of those principles.  Youth Tour Director, Addie Armato, expressed her pride in the Louisiana electric cooperatives having decided to offer these 2020 delegates another opportunity to attend next year’s Youth Tour.  “It’s moments like these that make me proud to work with these fine folks. Their unwavering commitment to our youth starts at the top with their board of directors, and like a rising tide moves through to the employees and membership,” said Armato.

2020 Youth Tour delegates will also have an opportunity to participate in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s (NRECA) virtual Youth Tour starting July 2.  To watch the festivities, follow ALEC on Facebook @LouisianaElectricCooperatives.