Gov. John Bel Edwards | Official U.S. House headshot
Gov. John Bel Edwards | Official U.S. House headshot
BATON ROUGE, La. – On May 31, Gov. John Bel Edwards joined the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus for the Third Annual Gov. P.B.S. (Pickney Benton Stewart) Pinchback Breakfast. The celebration was twofold. The Caucus awarded Gov. Edwards the first Gov. Pinchback Trailblazer Award for his dedication to diversity and work to improve life for all Louisianans. They also gave the Gov. P.B.S. Pinchback Legacy Award to this year’s honoree, former Louisiana Department of Revenue Secretary Kimberly J. Lewis. Lewis currently serves as the executive vice president and Chief Administrative Officer of Louisiana State University - the first African-American to serve in that capacity. Today’s celebration comes on the heels of the final passage of Senate Bill 21 by Rep. Ed Price, which renames the Department of Transportation and Development headquarters in honor of Gov. Pinchback.
“I was very surprised and humbled to receive the Gov. Pinchback Trailblazer Award and grateful to the Legislative Black Caucus. Helping all Louisianans succeed has always been a priority for me as well as having my administration reflect the diversity of our state. I’m also especially proud to recognize Kimberly who successfully served in my administration for six years, has a long history of public service and is a dear friend,” said Gov. Edwards. “She was a trusted advisor during some very difficult days, and I’m grateful for the outstanding leadership she provided. She continues to do great work at LSU, upholding the rich legacy of Gov. Pinchback who is important to our state and nation. And the final approval of SB 21 by Sen. Price could not have come at a better time. Today’s signing of the bill was ceremonial, and I look forward to formally signing it into law.”
Ms. Lewis was appointed as secretary of the Department of Revenue by Gov. Edwards in 2016 and served until 2022. Among her many accomplishments: establishing the Frontline Worker COVID-19 Hazard Pay Rebate Program, which provided desperately-needed assistance in the form of $250 payments to more than 152,000 frontline workers in Louisiana who kept essential services going during the worst of COVID-19 and implementing of the Louisiana Nonprofit & Small Business Assistance Program that provided nearly $10 million in grants to nonprofits and small businesses to provide aid to communities impacted by COVID-19
“I am honored to be this year’s recipient of the Governor P.B.S. Pinchback Legacy Award and humbled to follow two of my mentors, Justice Bernette Johnson and Rep. Terry Landry, in receiving this award,” said Lewis. “Thank you to Governor Edwards and the Legislative Black Caucus for creating an award honoring the life and legacy of Governor Pinchback. But more importantly, creating an award showcasing leadership and recognizing the importance of representation.”
“Kimberly is a true public servant who has worked hard to improve the lives of all Louisianans, said Rep. Vincent Pierre, chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. “From serving in state government to her new role at LSU, she continues to display great leadership and a deep commitment to helping advance future generations, a hallmark of the legacy of Gov. Pinchback. We were also thrilled to award Gov. Edwards the first Gov. Pinchback Trailblazer Award. We appreciate his partnership and all that he has done and continues to do to uplift all communities across our great state.”
Former Gov. Pinchback who also served as president-pro Tempore of the Louisiana Senate, became lieutenant governor upon the death of Oscar Dunn and the acting governor after the impeachment of Gov. Henry C. Warmoth. He served briefly from Dec. 9, 1872 until January 13, 1873. Within that time, he signed 10 legislative bills into law, and as a delegate to the 1879 Louisiana Constitutional Convention helped to establish Southern University and A&M College. He was the only African American governor of any state during the Reconstruction era. Gov. Pinchback died in December 1921.
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