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City’s Chamber honors Gallot Jr. with banquet

The Greater Grambling Chamber of Commerce honored Rep. Rick Gallot Thursday night for his record of achievement. The “Toast and Roast” reception and banquet also served as a fundraiser for the Chamber.Gallot’s supporters believe he has made and continues to make a change for the better in the community. When asked how he felt about the occasion, Gallot said, “I’m very honored and very humble, glad to help them,” referring to the fact that the fundraiser benefitted the Chamber of Commerce.

Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu was special guest speaker at the banquet. He took the stage and informed everyone that Louisiana has become a cultural icon. With about 144,000 people employed in areas related to the state’s unique culture, Landrieu said, Louisiana recently became a part of the world economic focal point.

Louisiana is over-relying on natural resources, the lieutenant governor said, but now there are ongoing plans of converting to a greener state to decrease that dependence. “Wall Street is showing us the effect it’s having on our economy.”

Gallot is a native of Grambling and a 1987 alumna of Grambling State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history. He received his Juris Doctorate from the Southern University School of Law in 1990, and established the Gallot Law Office in Ruston.

His list of accomplishments include serving as a councilman for the city of Grambling and being selected to participate in the prestigious “Senior Executives in State and Local Government” at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

As District 11 representative, he obtained the position as chairman of the House and Government Affairs Committee and is a member of the House Executive Committee.

Despite Gallot’s illustrious career, there was no shortage of roasters to talk about him to a packed house in the Black and Gold Room. His sister and a couple of longtime friends talked about embarrassing incidents from Gallot’s childhood. But his reputation was regained after numerous area and state politicians took to the stage.

What’s in the future for the city of Grambling? “As the university continues to thrive, the town will follow,” said outgoing Chamber President Barbara McIntyre.