SHREVEPORT – On Saturday, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) visited the city of Natchitoches to attend their Annual Christmas Festival, where he met with residents and spoke with them about the state of their city.
“The Natchitoches Christmas Festival of Lights is a Louisiana take on an American tradition,” said Dr. Cassidy. “If you have never been, make plans to go next year.
Cassidy has been a champion for Natchitoches Parish, including with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. In January,funds were allocated for the LA 485 and LA 1226 over Bayou Cherveuille bridge projects. Another $17.2 million was provided in August to rehabilitate the Texas Street Business Corridor from the Highway 1 South Bypass to Washington Street.
At the festival, Cassidy rode in the parade, which began and ended at Northwestern State University. Beforehand, he visited a reception hosted by Mayor Ronnie Williams of the City of Natchitoches, where he met with elected officials and community leaders.
“On behalf of the City of Natchitoches, I am truly honored to have hosted Senator Bill Cassidy for our 96th Annual Christmas Festival Celebration” said Mayor Williams. “A true man of the people, Senator Cassidy mingled with residents and tourists as Natchitoches shined its brightest in what we believe to be the most wonderful time of the year. Thus far, we are overjoyed by the support we have received here in our beautiful, historic city, and I look forward to a continued partnership focused on making Natchitoches an even more amazing city. Thank you, Senator Cassidy!”
The night before, Cassidy met with the leadership of Northwestern State University, including its President, Dr. Marcus Jones. They discussed Northwestern State’s work to address Louisiana’s nursing shortage by adding faculty and increasing scholarship opportunities at their College of Nursing and Allied Health. Dr. Jones also thanked Cassidy for supporting their request for an Entrepreneurial Innovation Center, which is in an appropriations bill pending before Congress.
“We appreciate Senator Cassidy’s support for higher education and NSU, and look forward to continued work together to expand educational opportunities in our region,” said Dr. Jones.
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