SEN. CRAVINS, JR. TAKES OATH OF OFFICE 
AS NEW DISTRICT 24 STATE SENATOR  

SETS EDUCATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
AND SAFE COMMUNITIES AS PRIORITIES

           Don Cravins, Jr. is the new state senator for Senate District 24. The Opelousas democrat replaces his father, former State Senator Don Cravins, Sr., who is leaving the Senate to take on new responsibilities as the mayor of Opelousas . With his father, wife and children, other family members, Governor Kathleen Blanco and other state and local elected officials in attendance, Senate Secretary Glenn Koepp  administered the oath of office to Sen. Cravins during special ceremonies in the Senate Chamber at the state capitol. Sen. Cravins won a special election last month without opposition when he was the only candidate to qualify for the District 24 seat.

             "I am truly thankful for the faith and trust the people of Senate District 24 have placed in me," Sen. Cravins said. "While we face many issues and challenges in Louisiana , I believe there is hope. As I take on new responsibilities in the Louisiana Senate, I remember my grandfather who at my age couldn't even vote in Louisiana and here I stand. Sometimes progress may be slow, but I am clear evidence that it is steady."

             The 34 year old attorney comes to the Senate from the Louisiana House of Representatives where he was serving his first term. Continuing a practice he started upon taking office in the Louisiana State Legislature, Sen. Cravins invited some special guests to his Senate swearing-in ceremonies. Students from Immaculate Heart of Mary High School and N. P. Moss Middle school traveled to the state capitol from Lafayette to participate in the oath of office event. 

            "As a relatively young new Senator, I think it is vital that young people see other young people doing positive things," Sen. Cravins said. "These students are the future. They are our future senators, representatives, mayors and council members. They are our future public servants. I want them to see and believe in the possibilities."

             While serving in the House, Sen. Cravins successfully pushed for new state laws to better protect communities from sex offenders. In 2004, the Louisiana Chapter of the National Conference of Black mayors, Inc. named Cravins the Legislator of the Year. In the Senate, Cravins will continue his public safety initiatives as well as focus on storm recovery, education reform and economic development in the Senate District 24 area. He will serve as vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary B and as a member of the Senate Insurance and Retirement Committees. 

             Sen. Cravins graduated from LSU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Southern University Law Center . As a practicing attorney, he also serves on the St. Landry-Evangeline Parishes United Way Board of Directors and is a reserve police officer with the Opelousas Police Department. Sen. Cravins and wife Yvette have two children.

             Senate District 24 includes parts of St. Landry and Lafayette Parishes.    

 
 "Secretary of the Louisiana Senate Glenn Koepp (right) administered the oath of office to Don Cravins, Jr., the newly elected senator to represent Senate District 24 during special ceremonies in the Senate Chamber at the state capitol with his wife Yvette and his father, the former District 24 State Senator Don Cravins, Sr. looking on."

ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS: To schedule interviews with legislators for advance stories or coverage of the school visits in your area, please contact Sheila McCant (225-342-9795) for House members and Brenda Hodge (225-342-9737) for Senate members.

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