Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           University Relations Office
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 4/20/98
      Contact:                           Carol Dotson  22

MARY LANDRIEU GUEST SPEAKER AT SLU'S MORRISON LECTURE
     HAMMOND, LA -- Education was the focus when Senator Mary Landrieu spoke on the
SLU campus last Friday. Landrieu was the speaker for the fourth annual James H. Morrison
Lecture on Politics and Government. 
     Landrieu recognized Morrison, who was in the audience, as a family friend who's "advice
turns out good when I follow it and not so good when I don't. He's still a wise politician."
     Landrieu also had some advice for the Southeastern students. "Everything you do won't
always work out." Citing Morrison as an example of perseverance, Landrieu noted that Morrison
had run for office several times and lost, but was finally elected and then re-elected eleven times
as representative. "You need to know how to lose gracefully, and you will never succeed if don't'
take risks." she told the students. 
     The senator also commended Southeastern Louisiana University for its many initiatives
in education including its outreach programs in reading.
     Landrieu said she believed the federal government should take an active role in
education, with an emphasis on early childhood development.  The senator received applause
from the audience when she pointed out how tax dollars are currently spent. "We need to reverse
how our dollars are spent. Those tax dollars that we're now spending on criminal justice,
counseling and special education need to be spent on the front end. We need to work better as a
country to promote education, to get more people educated and trained."    
     Whether early childhood education or at the college level, Landrieu acknowledged that
every element of education is important. "I  want to advocate that the federal government stop
financing failure and reward success. To the school districts doing a good job, give them more
money  to continue doing that. Hold everyone accountable for bad ones."


                                                      -more-

Landrieu at SLU/ADD ONE

 Speaking on the high school drop-out rate, Landrieu said, "We need to get every freshman
through high school. We can't have the attitude that 50 percent is OK. We may not get 100
percent, but we have to try. We can't continue to finance mediocrity.  If you think funding these
programs is expensive, sure it costs, but ignorance costs more."
     The senator also encouraged the audience to get involved with tutoring, something she
does herself. Landrieu talked about her "Everybody Wins" program of tutoring that she hopes to
bring to Louisiana and anchor it at Southeastern. SLU president Sally Clausen, agreed
Southeastern Louisiana University would be the anchor for the state, saying "Our faculty from
around the country are studying the issues you're concerned about. You won't find a more
receptive, willing and able body of scholars anywhere."

                                                         
 -SLU-
        
           
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