Cassidy Volunteers at Senior Center, Praises Recycling, Litter Abatement Efforts in Ouachita Parish

MONROE - Yesterday afternoon, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) Cassidy visited the West Ouachita Senior Center, where he was given a tour of their facility. He also briefly visited the Ouachita Council on Aging, where he served meals to seniors with Ouachita Parish Sheriff Marc Mashaw.

While at the West Ouachita Senior Center, Cassidy learned about the food programs, preventative health services, recreational events, and other programs they offer to seniors.

"I compliment West Monroe for their senior center," said Dr. Cassidy. "It is a gathering place which promotes independence, mental, and physical health. As a doctor and as a Senator, I admire how well it works."

In Washington, Cassidy is working to support local efforts for senior citizens by making sure they get the Social Security benefits they're due. In order to prevent a 21% Social Security benefit cut in 9 years, he has proposed a "Big Idea" to repeal the cut by creating a separate investment fund which would replenish the Social Security Trust Fund over 75 years and make the program more fair. As part of that "Big Idea," he has urged Congress to repeal the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, which reduces Social Security benefits for state and local government retirees.

At both stops, he was welcomed by officials with the senior centers.

"We are so pleased to be able to host U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy at the West Ouachita Senior Center," said Ms. Hilburn, Director of Community Services for West Monroe. "We appreciate the opportunity to show him around the Senior Center so that he can see for himself all of the valuable services we provide to senior adults in the West Ouachita community. The Senior Center serves thousands of senior adults each year through a variety of classes, workshops, social events and making valuable resources available to seniors including exercise and medical equipment, food boxes, fans, and other needed items."

"It was a phenomenal visit," said Ms. Loretta Lowery-Hudson, Executive Director of the Ouachita Council on Aging. "The seniors enjoyed the visit, and we're looking forward to what our Senator has in the future for our elderly population."

Earlier, Cassidy spoke at the annual Ouachita Green Awards, honoring citizens and small businesses who work to keep the local environment clean.

"We should all commit to having a cleaner environment," said Dr. Cassidy. "It makes our community safer, more attractive, and a better place to live. The bipartisan infrastructure bill is paying to cap abandoned gas wells and replace deteriorated infrastructure, all of which help our environment. Ouachita Green puts a point on it by planting trees, cleaning up litter, and encouraging conservation. Together, we make Ouachita a better place to live."

In his Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Cassidy included money to clean up brownfields. Last year, a $872,900.00 brownfield grant was issued for the Ouachita Candy Company on Walnut Street in Monroe. Clean-up efforts and environmental site assessments have also been funded this year for Alexandria, Baker, Bogalusa, and Pineville. Additionally, Cassidy has introduced the Reinvesting in Shoreline Economics and Ecosystems (RISEE) Act, which would eliminate the state revenue sharing cap on offshore energy development, so Louisiana can receive more revenue to rebuild its coast. It would also create a similar revenue stream for wind energy projects off the Gulf of Mexico. The legislation will be considered as part of a business meeting of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this fall.

Ouachita Green works in partnership with Keep Louisiana Beautiful's affiliates in Ouachita Parish, Monroe, and West Monroe, by supporting their efforts to protect their environment, among other initiatives. Every year, they also honor individuals and both large and small businesses who take part in those efforts at an annual Awards Luncheon. Cassidy was the keynote speaker and was joined by Ms. Courtney Hornsby, board member for Ouachita Green.

"We sincerely appreciate U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy serving as the keynote speaker for the annual Ouachita Green Awards Luncheon," said Ms. Horsnby. "Ouachita Green is leading the way in Ouachita Parish when it comes to litter abatement efforts, beautification and recycling, and those efforts are paying off in the community. We value Senator Cassidy's commitment and passion for the health and welfare of not only Northeast Louisiana but all of our great state. Thank you, Senator Cassidy, for supporting us in this effort!"

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