Landrieu to speak at BIG banquet

The Bayou Industrial Group will play host to a number of distinguished guests at their annual membership banquet next month.

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu will give the keynote address at the Feb. 5 event, which will be held at Nichols State University’s Cotillion Ballroom in Thibodaux. The banquet will celebrate the recent Capitol Hill happenings that will give Louisiana a large share of its oil revenues.

“South Louisiana received a gift that was well-earned and long overdue at the end of 2006 n passage of the Domenici-Landrieu Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act,” said Bill Frey, 2006 president of BIG, in a recent release.

President George W. Bush signed the new law on Dec. 20, a milestone for south Louisiana residents, businesses owners, and officials who have been fighting for legislation that will guarantee funds for hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects.

The state should receive $13 billion in its share of Gulf oil revenues over the next 30 years.

“We are honored to have Sen. Landrieu, an architect of this historic plan, join us as keynote speaker for our 2007 banquet and share with us, her thoughts on the future of coastal Louisiana and the direction of the 110th Congress,” he said.

Frey will also be honored as he steps down and hands the reigns to the 2007 President Eddie Hebert. Other board members will be installed as well.

Ted Falgout, executive director for the Greater Lafourche Port Commission and a staunch advocate for Louisiana’s oil and gas revenues, will serve as master of ceremonies.

In the 28 years Falgout has served the commission, Port Fourchon has grown substantially because of his dedicated effort. According to the BIG release, Falgout has is a recognized leader for his continued work for oil and gas royalties, to build levees and restore Louisiana’s fading coastline.

A cocktail hour will kick off the night’s event around 6 p.m. and will lead into the 7 p.m. dinner seating.

The banquet is open to the public and tickets are $35 per person. The deadline to register is Jan. 29 and reservations can be made by calling (985) 580-3901 or by contacting Jennifer Armand at jen@armandcreative.com.

Andrea Carlson can be reached at andrea@tri-parishtimes.com.