TheHonorable Judge Luke Lavergne spoke to an audience of students, professors andmembers of the community at the Southern University Law Center in A.A. LeniorHall on Tuesday, Feb. 1.
Lavergneis Louisiana’s first black elected official to switch to the Republican Partysince Reconstruction. The Southern University College Republican Club hostedthe event.
“As aRepublican on a predominately black campus, getting flap, ugly looks anddebates is normal. I find that to,” Lavergne said. “Tell those that oppose you,’I know who I am.”
Lavergnespoke about a variety of topics including education, same-sex marriages,disability and welfare benefits and Civil Rights.
“The trendin socialization in young people has changed,” Lavergne said. “You are the newleaders of the Republican Party.”
Lavergnealso spoke about the history of the Republican Party, stating that Blacks,especially in the South and Louisiana in particular, were Republicans throughthe earliest 20th Century.
It was notuntil Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal that Blacks began to join the DemocraticParty.
Lavergneis a Family Court Judge for the East Baton Rouge Parish. He grew up in Lawtell,Louisiana, and joined the military upon completion of high school, serving inthe Air Force for 23 years.
Heattended college during off duty periods, earning a business and finance degreefrom the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Hereceived his Master’s Degree from Southern Illinois at Edwardsville and his LawDegree from Louisiana State University. Before his current appointment,Lavergne served as Assistant District Attorney from 1990-1992.
“Theperception of Republicans is that they are a bunch of racist white men,” saidHarold Williams, candidate for State Representative in District #29. “Go outand look more into the African American community.”
StudentGene Tinner started the College Republican Club in 2003. The group’s advisor isJohn Howell, Assistant Political Science Professor. During the 2004 campaignseason, the club conducted a Voter’s Registration Drive, campaigned for Bushand Vitter, and actively debated on campus.
“Everyonecan talk about change,” said Maurice Wesley, a senior accounting major fromLong Beach, and College Republican Club President. “It takes action.”
