CELEBRATION OF LIFE INTERFAITH SERVICE LOUISIANA 54TH GOVERNOR KATHLEEN BLANCO.

THE PUBLIC VISITATION THERE WHERE GOVERNOR BLANCO WILL LIE IN STATE.

TODAY IN BATON ROUGE AND TOMORROW AND SATURDAY IN LAFAYETTE BURIAL IS SATURDAY IN LAFAYETTE.

BLANCO PASSED AWAY THIS SUNDAY AFTER A YEARS LONG BATTLE WITH CANCER.

SHE WAS 76.

JOINING ME IS BETH COURTNEY AND RECENTLY DIRECTOR OF THE POLICY CENTER STEVEN BARNS.

WELCOME TO BOTH OF YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE FOR THIS IMPORTANT DAY.

LONG TIME FRIEND OF GOVERNOR BLANCO NAMED LOUISIANA LPB LEGEND >> SHE WAS INDEED >> SHE HAD SO MANY CAUSES SO MANY PLATFORMS.

THE PEOPLE OF THE LOUISIANA SHE PUT FIRST SHE WAS A WOMAN OF UNCOMMON GRACE AND DETERMINATION.

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING HER FOR MUCH OF HER PUBLIC CAREER AND I HAVE BEEN REFLECTING ON THE MOMENTS THAT STAND OUT FOR ME AND QUITE SIMPLY SHE HAD JOYISH SPIRIT AND I THINK THAT WILL BE REFLECTED IN THE CELEBRATION TODAY.

I LOVE TO HEAR HER LAUGH.

HER DAUGHTER MONIQUE CALLED IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS TO TELL ME HER MOTHER WAS FAILING AND WE SHARED A CHUCKLE ABOUT KATHLEEN WAS STILL ORGANIZING AND PLANNING EVERYTHING.

A MOTHER WHO HAD A LARGE FAMILY AND WE'RE GOING TO SEE THEM ALL I THINK THEY PROBABLY HAVE 500 RELATIVES, COUSINS EVERYONE COMING IN.

AND I HAD REALLY THE PRIVILEGE TO BE HER BUT ALSO TO OBSERVE KATHLEEN IN THE GOOD AND BAD TIMESSISM SHE WAS SHY AS A LEGISLATOR.

I REMEMBER GOING TO THE MIKE WAS KIND OF A BIG THING FOR HER WHEN SHE WAS FIRST REELECTED.

AND THERE WAS SO FEW WOMAN.

REALLY SHE WAS NOT THE STAND OUT PERSON AT THAT POINT.

DEDICATED TO EDUCATION EVEN THEN.

QUITE SHY.

I WOULD SAY 1 OF MY MOST INTERESTING THINGS WHEN I WAS REFLECTING ALL THESE GOOD TIMES AND BAD TIMES SHE WAS THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER AND I ALWAYS WE LAUGHED ABOUT IT LATER ON AND SAID GOSH TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING BUT SHE EMBRACED IT.

WE SAID SHE IS THE 1 WHO MANAGED TO PUT TOGETHER SOMETHING CALLED THE LOUISIANA OPICAL NETWORK FIBER ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA CONNECTING THE MAJOR RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE CONNECTING ON TODAY ALONG WITH SATELLITE BECAUSE OF KATHLEEN BLANK O. I KNOW WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT TODAY SERVICE IS AN INTERFAITH 1 WITH MUSIC >> FROM THE SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.

SEVERAL SPEAKERS INCLUDING GOVERNOR EDWARDS WILL BE SPEAKING AND SOME OF THE PAST GOVERNORS.

BOBBY JINDAL WILL BE HERE IN BATON ROUGE FOR THIS SERVICE.

AND ALSO FORMER GOVERNOR ED1 EDWARDS.

>> I SAW FORMER SENATOR JOHN BROAD.

WE WILL HEAR SOME REFLECTIONS AND BEGINNING THIS CELEBRATION >> THE GREATEST LEGACY THAT 1 CAN PASS ON IS THE LEGACY OF CHARACTER AND FAITH AND STEVEN NEW DIRECTOR AND TO BE BUILT STILL POLICY CENTER THAT WILL BEAR HER NAME AT UL LAFAYETTE KATHLEEN BAB NOX BLANCO PUBLIC POLICY CENTER.

IN THE FOR MOST OF HER GOVERNANCE WAS CHARACTER AND FAITH BEING HER LEGACY YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT >> I AM NEW IN THE ROLE BUT OVER THE LAST 6 MONTH SPENT A LOT OF TIME PREPARING FOR MY NEW POSITION AND TALKING ABOUT THE NEW KATHLEEN BABIN NOX BELONG OPOLICY CENTER.

AND 1 OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY JUST IMPRESSED ME IS THE RE-SOUNDING POSITIVE FEEDBACK HEARING PEOPLE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS AS SOMETHING TO BE NAME ADGOVERNOR BLANCO HEARING FROM SO MANY PEOPLE SUCH A DIDEGREE OF RESPECT >> THIS WILL BE THE TOUCH STONE THAT PEOPLE WILL REMEMBER HER BY GENERATIONS FROM NOW THIS WILL BE THE PLACE >> HAVING TALKED WITH HER ABOUT THIS CENTER SHE SPENT A LOT OF TIME REFLECTING ON HER TIME IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE IN LOUISIANA BUT REMAINING CHALLENGES.

THIS WAS VERY IMPORTANT TO HER.

SHE THOUGHT IT WAS CRITICAL TO HAVE A PLACE WE COULD DO IN DEPTH RESEARCH ON THE PRESSING POLICY ISSUE FACING HER STATE ALSO WORKING HARD TO SHARE THOSE FINDINGS WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND BRING THOSE FINDINGS TO THE POLICY MAKERS SO WE CAN HAVE INFORMED DEBATE >> CERTAINLY IF YOU LOOK ADD NATIONAL MEDIA REPORTS SHE WAS THE KATRINA GOVERNOR.

THAT WILL BE WHAT WILL BE WRITTEN ABOUT HER.

AND SHE WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN ALL OF THAT.

AND SHE WAS THRUST INTO SUCH A LET US NEVER FORGET THAT IF WE PUT THE PEOPLE FIRST ALL OF OUR OTHER PRIORITIES WILL INEVIDABLY FALL INTO PLACE.

WE HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY LOOKING AHEAD TRYING TO MAKE LIFE BETTER IN LOUISIANA AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE TO DO HAS TO DO WITH THE QUALITY OF LIFE BECAUSE LOUISIANA IS A WORTH WILD EXPERIENCE.

FOR OUR VISITORS AND FOR OUR PEOPLE.

THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT THE GREAT PLACE IT REALLY IS.

>> APPLAUSE >> THIS IS WHAT I REALLY LIKE.

SHE DUCK HUNTS, SHE FISHES.

SHE IS GOING TOO TRY TO CATCH A FEW RED FISH >> I THINK I GOT 1.

BUT WHEN I DO LOOK BACK AT THE LAST 4 YEARS I HAVE TO SAY THAT IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES AND IT WAS THE WORST OF TIME FOR US AS A FAMILY.

BECAUSE WE LOST OUR YOUNGEST CHILD BEN BUT I HAVE TO SAY A SPECIAL THANKS WHO LIFTED US IN PRAYER, WHO CARRIED US THREW THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME.

AND HIS SPIRIT IS ALWAYS PRESENT.

AND HE ALWAYS WALKS WITH US WHEREVER WE WALK.

AND I KNOW THAT HE SIMPLY LEADS THE WAY FOR ALL OF US AND THAT IS THE PART OF LIVING.

BUT WE COULD NOT HAVE MADE IT WITHOUT THE PRAYERS AND SUPPORT OF SO MANY THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE OUT IN LOUISIANA.

WE NEED TO LOOK FORWARD AND GO TO THE FUTURE BECAUSE EACH OF US HAS A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE THIS LIFE AS WE FIND IT AS GOOD A PLACE AS WE CAN MAKE IT.

THANK YOU >> APPLAUSE EDUCATION IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

EDUCATION REFORM GOES HAND IN HAND WITH BUILDISH OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS OUR TEACHERS ARE DEMANDING MORE FROM OUR STUDENTS BECAUSE THE JOBS OF TOMORROW WILL DEMAND NO LESS.

AS A FORMER CLASSROOM TEACHER AND A MOTHER OF 6 I WILL MAKE EDUCATION MY FIRST PRIORITY AND I WILL PUT OUR TAX DOLLARS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM ACCOUNTABLE SCHOOLS FILLED WITH CERTIFIED TEACHERS.

TIME TO PUT THE CHILDREN FIRST.

KATHLEEN BAN BABINEAUX BLANCO IBERIA PARISH AS A YOUNG GIRL I DREAMED OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT MY MOTHER AND HER MOTHER WOULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED.

TODAY MARKS THE FIRST TIME I HONOR SUCH AS THIS HAS BEEN EARNED BY A DAUGHTER, A WIFE, A MOTHER, A GRAND MOTHER.

THIS JOURNEY IS MAY BE THE MOST CHALLENGING IN OUR HISTORY AND TO MEET THESE CHALLENGES I FIRST ASK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS.

THE COMBINED DEVASTATION CAN BEST BUY DESCRIBED AS A CATASTERARY OF BIBLICAL PROPOSES.

IF YOUR STATES LARMIST CITY WAS UNDER WATER FOR A MONTH.

ALMOST UNTHINKABLE.

NO GREATER ISSUE FACING LOUISIANA AS WE SPEAK THAN THE FUNDING FOR LEVY AND FOR HOUSING.

WE HAVE TOO MUCH WORK TO DO, IT TAKES TOO MUCH ENERGY TO DO WHAT WE REALLY HAVE TO DO TO SAVE LIVES.

AND WE COULD NOT USE OUR ENERGY TO FIGHT A POLITICAL WAR, A POLITICAL BATTLE.

WE JUST COULDN'T.

AND I SAID WE'RE GOING TO TRUST WE'RE GOING TO SIMPLY TRUST IN THE LORD AND HISTORY WILL PROVE THAT EVERYTHING WE DID WAS DONE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR CITIZENS.

WE HAVE LOUISIANA PEOPLE SAVING LOUISIANA PEOPLE.

AND HE SAID IF YOU CAN GET THAT DOME UP FOR THE FIRST REGULAR GAME I WILL WORK WITH TOM BENISON TOGETHER WE WILL MAKE SURE THE SAINTS WILL BE THERE.

TOUCH DOWN!

GOVERNOR KATHLEEN BAN OX BLANCO LEAVES BEHIND A RICH LEGACY STEEPED IN LOUISIANA CULTURE.

HER COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION AND BELIEF OF THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA.

THE IMPACT WILL BE FELT FOR GENERATIONS.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY THE EARTH IS A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO WALKED IT BECAUSE THERE WAS TRULY ENOUGH WOMAN FOR EVERYONE SHE EVER MET THE LIFE THE LEGACY.

THE ONLY WOMAN TO EVER BE GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA SO FAR.

I GUESS WE CAN SAY BETH RIGHT >> OPTIMISTICALLY >> PEOPLE HAVE BEEN GATHERING AT ST.

JOSEPH IN BATON ROUGE.

SERVICES WILL BEGIN SHORTLY FOR THE GOVERNOR.

AND IT SEEMS LIKE ITS GOING TO BE A FULL HOUSE THERE.

A FULL DAY OF ACTIVITIES.

FIRST FULL 3 DAZE OF ACTIVITIES IN BATON ROUGE AND LAFAYETTE HONORING HER LIFE >> ACCORDING TO HER PLANS AND THE PROGRAM THE FAMILY IS NOW GATHERING IN THE BACK AND WHEN WE SAY THE FAMILY ARRIVED WE HAVE BEEN SEEING DOWN FRONT ON 1 SIDE MANY FORMER LEGISLATORS AND CURRENT LEGISLATORS THERE.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE AND WE HAVE SEEN MANY FACES FROM PER HAPS OR PAST ADMINISTRATION.

THE VOICE IS DONNA B. ALL OF THOSE PICTURES REMINE OF US A TIME SO DIFFICULT FOR KATHLEEN.

LOOKING BACK YOU SENSE HER DETERMINATION TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

AND TRULY HER DECISION NOT TO RUN FOR REELECTION MAY BE A POLITICAL REALITY BUT ALSO 1 IN WHICH SHE WAS FREE TO DO WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS THE BEST THING FOR THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA >> AGAIN WHAT SHE PUT FIRST THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA.

STEVEN YOU HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH HER MANY TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS.

AND WHAT IS YOUR TAKEAWAYS YOU REFLECT ON GOVERNOR BLANCO >> ITS CLEAR THAT SHE HAS PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT TO HER TIME IN OFFICE, TO KATRINA AND RITA AND I THINK IN THE SAME WAY SHE IS REFLECTED ON THAT AND AS TIME HAS PASS SAID A BETTER APPRECIATION FOR THE ENORMITY OF THE EVENT.

I THINK PUBICLY AS WELL.

ONE THING I THINK IS REALLY STRIKING HER DECISION TO REALLY OPEN UP THAT PERIOD OF TIME IN OUR STATES HISTORY AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PUBLIC HERE FOR EVERYWHERE TO LEARN AS MUCH AS WE CAN FROM THAT >> YOU WILL HAVE ALL THE DOCUMENTS AT THE CENTER.

AND TRULY ITS A TIME IF T WAS AN OVERWHELMING CRISIS THE CITY THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY FRANKLY WAS NOT PREPARED.

IT WAS AN OVERWHELMING EVENT AND TO SEE ALL THOSE DOCUMENTS WILL BE IMPORTANT >> THAT'S RIGHT THAT ARCHIVE 90 BOXES OF MATERIAL OF HER TIME IN OFFICE REALLY WAS THE STARTING POINT ENVISIONING AND BUILDING OUT THIS PUBLIC POLICY CENTER.

IN THE COMING MONTH WORKING TO CULTIVATE THAT AND PREPARE FOR PEOPLE TO COME AND DIG INTO >> I VISITED WITH HER 11TH MONTHS AGO IN HER HOME SHORTLY AFTER THE ANNOUNCEMENT PUBLIC POLICY CENTER UL LAFAYETTE.

SHE WAS TELLING ME FROM 1 ADMINISTRATION TO ANOTHER THERES NOT ALWAYS THE DAY TO DAYPAPERS AND EVENTS THAT HAPPENED.

HERS WAS VERY ORGANIZED.

BUT WHAT SHE WANTED TO BE ABLE TO LEAVE WAS THE TRANSPARENCY SHE SAID OF THE DAY TO DAY EVENTS OF HER BEING IN OFFICE >> 1 OF THE THINGS I HOPE WE'RE LISTENING TO MUSIC HERE I LOVED HER TIME AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

IT WAS THE WONDERFUL TIME OF THE STATE.

CELEBRATEIC THE FRENCH HERITAGE.

WHAT A GREAT REPRESENTATIVE SHE WAS IN THE STATE.

I REMEMBER SHE LOVED MUSIC SHE LOVED DANCE, ALL OF THE ARTS.

SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA WERE INVOLVED IN FRANKO SET.

WHEN I WAS REFLECTING ON THAT I WAS REMEMBERING WE DID A PRODUCTION THE MUSICAL THE OAK AND EVANGENNEN WE NEED TO DO THAT IN SHREVEPORT.

THEY NEED TO FEEL A PART OF IT.

I WAS THINKING YES THEY DO.

WE ALL WENT UP THERE AND DID THE MUSICAL FROM THEATER IN SHREVEPORT LOUISIANA AND THEY DID FEEL A PART OF IT.

I THINK IT WAS A JOYOUS TIME BEING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

WOW SHE WAS PERFECT >> AS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TOURISM TOOK OFF.

SOME OF THE ICONIC IMAGINES YOU REMEMBER OF THE CRAWFISH REPRESENTATION OF LOUISIANA AND EVEN THE SIGNATURE HOW LOUISIANA WAS SPELLED IS SOMETHING YOU REMEMBER THAT'S WHAT SHE DID, SOME OF THE THINGS SHE DID COMMERCIALS IN FRENCH AND ENGLISH TO EMBRACE EVERYONE >> SHE WOULD TELL YOU HER FRENCH WASN'T REALLY THAT GOOD.

WE'RE SEEING SHOTS OF GARRET GRAVES THE CONGRESS MAN.

I THINK A NUMBER OF DIG NUTARRIES ARE GOING TO BE THERE IN THE FRONT ROWS.

THE FAMILY IS ESYSTEMMABLING IN THE BACK RIGHT NOW TO ESCOURT THE BODY IN.

I THINK HER GRAND CHILDREN ARE GOING TO BE THE PALLBEARERS TODAY.

>> ACCORDING TO THE PROGRAM BAGPIPES WILL BEGIN TO PLAY IN ABOUT 4 MINUTES AT 9: 55:00 A.M.

HER BODY WILL BE ESCORTED TO THE FRONT DOORS TO THE FRONT OF THE.

BEAUTIFUL BUILD IN 1853 BEEN PRESERVED AND REDONE AND ADDED ONTO AND KEPT IN GREAT CONDITION, PRES TEEN CONDITION.

THE ORGANIST THERE PASSED AWAY NOT TOO LONG AGO.

LOOKING AT IT REMEMBERING HIM A GREAT FRIEND OF ALL OF US ROBE.

INDEED THIS INTERFAITH SERVICE IS A WONDERFUL THING LOOKING TO PEOPLE INVOLVED IN IT AGAIN AS WE LOOK AT THE FRONT ROWS I SEE JOHN ALARIO ANNOUNCED HIS RETIREMENT.

HE IS NOT RUNNING FOR THE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE WHEN HE COULD DO.

I REMEMBER HIM ARRIVING IN 19 I THINK 72.

AND I SEE A LOT OF LAFAYETTE REPRESENTATIVES THERE.

LANDY WHO WAS HEAD OF THE STATE POLICE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME.

I SAW RUSSELL AND HIS WIFE.

HE OF COURSE IS THE GRANDSON, GREAT GRANDSON OF HEWY LONG WITH THE ILLNESS SHE ENDURED THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF TIME TO PREPARE FOR THE INEVITABLE.

SHE FOUGHT IT VALIANTLY.

SHE HAD GOOD DAYS, BAD DAYS.

SHE HAD PROBABLY MORE GOOD DAYS THAN SHE EXPECTED.

UNTIL THE PAST MONTH OR SO.

HOSPICE WAS CARED FOR UNTIL HER DEATH >> MISPLANNED RUE THERE WITH HIS WIFE AND CURRENT SECRETARY OF STATE.

BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA AND YOU SEE PEOPLE FROM ALL AROUND THE STATE.

OF COURSE WE WILL BE GOING TO HER HOME PARISH LATER THIS WEEKEND FOR A MASS.

AND PUBLIC WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT AT BOTH THE STATE CAPITOL AND BATON ROUGE TODAY AS WE WE WILL THERE LATER LIVE TO SEE THE 21 GUN SALUTE HER BODY WILL BE LYING IN STATE UNTIL 6:00 P.M.

>> 1:00 O'CLOCK UNTIL 6:00 P.M.

PUBLIC VISITATION IN BATON ROUGE AND THEN MOVED TO LAFAYETTE TOMORROW TO ST.

JOHN THERE.

HER BODY WILL LIE IN STATE THERE FROM NOON UNTIL 8:00 P.M.

AND THEN CONTINUE ON SATURDAY MORNING FOR 22 AND HALF ABOUT HOURS BEFORE CHRISTIAN BURIAL MASS BEGINS AND THEN A PRIVATE BURIAL >> TALKING ABOUT THIS LONG ILLNESS SHE SUFFERED.

SHE HAD SUCH GRACE IN ADDRESSING THAT TIME.

SHE WANTED TO MAKE YOU FEEL GOOD WHEN YOU TALKED TO HER.

HERE WE SEE THE HEARSE PULLING UP.

I AM SURE PEOPLE WILL BE GATHERING >> IT IS A WARM, HOT DAY IN BATON ROUGE.

ONE THING SO FAR NO RAIN.

ITS VERY SUNNY AS YOU CAN SEE.

THE HEARSE CARRYING THE BODY OF KATHLEEN BLANCO IS ARISING RIVING.

>> SO MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED TRYING TO MAKE THIS A VERY SPECIAL 3 DAY CELEBRATION.

EVERYONE WANTING TO BE INVOLVED.

I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU SEE THAT ALWAYS IN POLITICAL FIGURES.

A LARGE GATHERING OF PEOPLE TRYING TO MAKE THIS EVENT HAPPEN >> THE OUT POURING OF THOUGHTS, WHAT IS YOUR REACTION THAT WE SEE THIS WE CAN >> INTERESTING BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE KNEW HER WELL AND SOME PEOPLE DIDN'T.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS THINKING.

BUT EVERYBODY WAS THINKING WONDERFUL THINGS ABOUT HER.

THIS IS NOT A TIME TO SAY WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY.

THIS IS LOOKING BACK AT A LIFE.

BUT THERE ARE LESSONS SHE WANTS US TO LEARN I WOULD THINK AS YOU WERE SAYING THAT'S RIGHT THAT'S RIGHT AND I THINK THERE IS A LOT TO BE LEARNED ABOUT HOW WE RESPONDED TO AND RECOVERED FROM THE MASSIVE STORMS.

A LOT OF OTHER IMPORTANT WORK THINKING ABOUT HER WORK IN EDUCATION, POVERTRY AND TRYING TO GROW THE STATES ECONOMY AS WELL AS CRIMINAL CRIL JUSTICE REFORM >> THESE ARE HER GRAND CHILDREN GATHERED AT THE REAR OF THE HEARSE AND THEY WILL ESCOURT HER BODY INTO THE CHURCH.

GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS WILL BE 1 OF THE PRIMARY SPEAKERS TODAY.

A HOST OF CATHOLIC LEADERS WILL BE ON HAND OF COURSE >> AS WELL AS KIM HUNTER REED THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF DURING KATHLEEN BLANCOS ADMINISTRATION.

VERY INSTRUMENTAL HELPING PLAN THESE 3 DAYS.

SHE WILL OFFER REFLECTIONS AS WELL.

INDICATING THAT COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION.

BAGPIPES PLAYING THIS IS AN ESCORT OF THE BODY OF GOVERNOR BLANCO AND OUTSIDE ST.

JOSEPH CUHEADERAL HER BODY WILL LIE IN STATE.

BAGPIPES PLAYING GOOD MORNING.

PLEASE JOIN US WITH SINGING OUR ENTRANCE HYMN PLAYS TO THE LORD THE ALL MIGHTY.

HYMN PLAYING GOOD MORNING EVERYONE AND YOU ARE JOINING US FOR THE LIVE SERVICES OF GOVERNOR KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO THE ST.

JOSEPH IN BATON ROUGE LOUISIANA FOR THE INTERFAITH SERVICES BEING HELD IN HONOR OF THE GOVERNOR.

AT ST.

JOSEPH IN BATON ROUGE.

THE FIRST OF 3 DAYS OF ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS HONORING THE LATE GOVERNOR.

GO BACK AND JOIN THEM.

HYMN PLAYING HYMN PLAYING WE ARE LOOKING ALONG AT THE LIVE SERVICES FOR GOVERNOR KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO INTERFAITH SERVICES IN BATON ROUGE.

THE FAMILY IS MOVING INTO THE PEWS ON THE LEFT SIDE.

AND THE LEGISLATORS, FORMER COLLEAGUES, FORMER GOVERNORS, SENATORS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CHURCH.

BETH AND STEPHEN DISCUSSING TODAY'S ACTIVITIES FOR GOVERNOR BLANCO >> WELCOMED BY THE ARCHBISHOP OF NEW ORLEANS A MOND WHO WILL PROVIDE A READING.

I WAS RECOGNIZING A NUMBER OF THE MINISTERS COMING DOWN EVERYONE FROM A RABBI, A GOOD FRIEND OF OURS.

I THINK 6 DIFFERENT MINISTERS WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THIS INTERFAITH SERVICE.

SOMETHING SHE THOUGHT LONG AND HARD ABOUT I'M SURE >> AND YOU SEE THEM THERE LINED AT THE FRONT ARCHBISHOP NEW ORLEANS AT THE FRONT.

HUSBAND OF 55 YEARS COACH RAY MOND.

>> AND GOVERNOR EDWARDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE >> PLEASE BE SEATED.

MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS OF THE LORD MY PRIVILEGE TO WELCOME YOU AS WE RECEIVE TODAY THE BELOVED DAUGHTER OF GOD AND THE FORMER GOVERNOR OF OUR STATE KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO.

HER LIFE WITH GOD THREW THE CHURCH WAS ALWAYS FIRST IN HER HEART.

TODAY SHE RETURNS TO THIS CHURCH WHICH WAS HER HOME PARISH WHILE SHE GOVERNED THE STATE.

GOVERNOR BLANCO NEVER GAVE IN BUT RATHER RENEWED HER SPIRIT IN GREAT TRUST TO MAKE UP FOR WHAT WAS LACKING IN HUMAN POWER AND EASY ANSWER.

TODAY WE WELCOME KATHLEEN HOME AGAIN TO THIS CUTEDERAL.

VERY GRATEFUL FOR HER SERVICE AND STRENGTH WHICH GAVE HOME TO THE PEOPLE OF OUR STATE AT TIMES WHEN HOPE WAS NEEDED THE MOST.

WE COME TO BID OUR EARTHY FAIR WELL TO HER AND TO THANK GOD FOR HER LIFE, HER FAITH HER FAMILY AND THE LEADERSHIP SHE HAS PROVIDED.

MY FRIENDS WE ALSO COME TOGETHER TO OFFER CONDELLANCE AND PRAYERS ESPECIALLY TO YOU COACH KATHLEENS FAITHFUL AND BELOVERED HUSBAND.

YOU STOOD BY 1 ANOTHER DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

AND TO KATHLEENS CHILDREN, SPOUSES AND GRAND CHILDREN AND A VERY SPECIAL WAY TO KATHLEENS MOTHER LUCILLE AND MEMBERS OF THE BLANCO FAMILY.

WE KNOW THAT YOU COME HERE TODAY TO THIS SACRED PLACE WITH BROKEN HEARTS AND PLEASE KNOW WE LIFT YOU TO LORD THAT YOU WILL KNOW HIS COMFORT AND PEACE.

EVEN THOU KATHLEEN DEATH WAS EXPECTED DEATH IS ALWAYS A SURPRISE.

WE'RE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR THE LOVING CARE THAT YOU HAVE GIVEN TO OUR SISTER THROUGHOUT OUR LIFE AND ESPECIALLY DURING THESE LAST YEARS AS SHE PREPARED TO GO HOME TO GOD AND TO BE JOINED AGAIN TO HER DECEASED SON BEN.

TO GOVERNOR AND MS.

EDWARDS STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS AS YOU SERVED WITH GOVERNOR BLANCO AS A COLLEAGUE AND A PARTNER AND THE IMPORTANT WORK OF GOVERNANCE WE PRAY TODAY THE BLESSINGS OF YOU ARE COMMON WORK TOGETHER WILL REMAIN FOR YOU A BLESSED AND LASTING MEMORY.

AND WE PRAY THAT TODAY WILL ALSO URGE YOU TO CONTINUE AS YOU TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT TO LOVE JUSTICE, TO WALK HUMBLY WITH GOD AS GOVERNOR BLANCO DID.

TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE VARIOUS COMMUNITIES WITH GRATITUDE WE JOIN TOGETHER TODAY IN COMMON PRAYER TO THE 1 GOD AND WE PRAY OF COURSE FIRST FOR KATHLEEN AND ALSO FOR OUR COUNTRY AND FOR OUR STATE.

MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN THE LORD WE PRAY WITH ALL OF YOU WE PRAY FOR ALL OF YOU WHO MOURN LIFTING UP OUR SISTER TO THE MERCY AND THE LOVE OF GOD.

MAY KATHLEEN AND ALL OF YOU KNOW THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH IS BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING AND MY KATHLEEN FIND ETURNAL LIFE.

YES ETURNAL LIFE WITH ALL THE SAINTS IN GLORY.

PLEASE STAND.

LET US PRAY.

GOD OF ENDLESS AGES FROM 1 GENERATION TO THE NEXT YOU HAVE BEEN OUR REFUGE AND OUR STRENGTH.

BEFORE THE MOUNTTENS WERE BORN THORE EARTH CAME TO BE YOU ARE GOD.

HAVE MERCY NOW ON YOUR SERVANT KATHLEEN WHOSE LONG LIFE WAS SPENT IN YOUR SERVICE.

GIVE HER A PLACE IN YOUR KINGDOM WHERE HOPE IS FIRM FOR ALL WHO LOVE AND REST IS SURE FOR ALL WHO SERVED.

WE ASK THIS OH, GOD IN YOUR NAME FOREVER AND EVER AMEN PLEASE BE SEATED.

A READING FROM THE BOOK OF PSALM, PSALM NUMBER 231ST IN HEBREW AND THEN THE ENGLISH.

HEBREW TRANSLATION OF PSALM 23.

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD I SHALL NOT WANT.

HE MAKETH LIE DOWN IN GREEN PASTURES HE LEADTH ME BE SIDES THE STILL WATERS.

HE RESTORES MY SOUL.

THROUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH I WILL FEAR NO EVIL.

THIGH RIDE THIGH STAFF COMFORT ME.

THIGH ANOINTEST MY HEAD WITH OIL.

MY CUP RUTH OVER.

SURELY GOODNESS AND MERCY SHALL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE AND I WILL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.

A MOTHERS LOVE DEVOTED PROTECTIVE EVER PRESENT UP LIFTING IT IS NURTURING AND NEVER ENDING.

KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO FELT A MOTHERS LOVE FROM THE WOMAN WHO GAVE HER LIFE.

SHE SHARED A MOTHERS LOVE WITH HER CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN AND ALL WHO WORKING WITH HER AND FOR HER.

AND SHE HAD A MOTHERS LOVE FOR HER LOUISIANA.

SHE CELEBRATED OUR JOY, CRIED WHEN WE HURT, DREAMED BIG DREAMS AND WORKED TIRELESSLY TO IMPROVE OUR REALITY.

LIKE THE MOTHER PELICAN ON OUR STATES FLAG SHE WAS WILLING TO SCRUFFIEST FOR HER STATE.

TODAY WE GATHER TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE A WIFE, DAUGHTER, MOTHER, GRAND MOTHER, TEACHER, TRAIL BLAZER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE LOUISIANA CALLED ON 1 OF HER DAUGHTERS TO LEAD AND LEAD SHE DID.

I AM HONORED TO SHARE THE EXPERIENCE OF SO MANY TODAY HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH AND FOR KATHLEEN BLABBEN OX BLANCO.

DURING THAT EXPERIENCE I LEARNED A LOT OF THINGS.

BLANCO VALUES THAT RUN DEEP.

I LEARNED ABOUT BLANCO TIME WHICH IS MORE OF A FEELING THAN A NUMBER ON A CLOCK.

I LEARNED ABOUT THAT BLANCO FORCE OF NATURE WE LOVE CALLED COACH.

SHE WAS AN ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION.

MOVE PEOPLE FROM POVERTY TO PROCESSTERITY TO ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION HEALTHCARE AND EMPLOYMENT.

FOR MANY OF US THE LAST TIME WE GATHERED HERE TOGETHER WAS A TIME OF CELEBRATION TO CELEBRATE HER INAUGURATION A NEW DAWNING.

TODAY WE GATHER TO CELEBRATE A LIFE WELL LIVED AS HER BEAUTIFUL SUN HAS SET.

A SUN THAT PROVIDED LIGHT IN GOOD TIMES AND COMFORT AND WARMTH IN CHALLENGING TIMES.

SHE PLAYED THE HAND SHE WAS DEALT AND OFTEN MADE THE MOST OF IT.

WHEN SHE WAS CRITICIZED FOR HAVING A HEAVY HAND AND NEGATIVELY REFERRED TO AS QUEEN BE SHE EMBRACED THAT TITLE AND OFF WE WENT TO BUY JULIE WITH QUEEN BEES.

SHE CAN GET A YES EVEN IF YOU HAD PRACTICED AND WERE DETERMINING TO SAY NO.

SHE BELIEVED IN GOOD COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS.

SHE WAS A PROUD PROUD PENNY PINCHER.

THE KIND OF WORK THE POLICY CENTER THAT BEARS HER NAME AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE NOW CARRIES THE TORCH TO ADVANCE.

AS A FORMER TEACHER SHE SET OUT TO EMPROVE OUR EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY IN OUR STATE.

BRING HIGHER EDUCATION AND TEACHER PAY TO NEW HIGHS.

SHE CREATED LOUISIANA NEED BASED AID PROGRAM BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED THAT COLLEGE WAS IMPORTANT AND SHE SAID THAT EDUCATION WAS POVERTY MORTAL ENEMY.

KATHLEEN GAVE A VOICE TO THOSE OFTEN NOT HEARD OR CONSIDERED OR SEEN.

WITH LITTLE CONSIDERATION FOR POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES BECAUSE IN HER WORLD GOOD POLITICS WAS ABOUT WHAT WAS GOOD FOR HER PEOPLE.

SHE WAS A SERVANT LEADER IN EVERY WAY.

IN MY HEART I ALWAYS UNDER STOOD GOD WAS PREPARING ME FOR UNKNOWN CHALLENGES AND OF COURSE THOSE CHALLENGES CAME SHE SAID.

GOD PUTS YOU WHERE HE WANTS YOU TO BE.

HER FAITH IS HER LEGACY.

IT ANCHORED HER IN TIMES OF STORM.

WITH THE DEATH OF HER SON BEN AS SHE SHOULDERED A STATE RECOVERY FROM NOT 1 BUT 2 MEGA STORMS BACK TO BACK AND HELD HER TO FACE HER OWN MORTALITY WHICH SHE DID WITH GRACE AND COURAGE AND ADIPOSENESS OF PEACE.

IT WAS JUST LIKE KATHLEEN TO SHARE HER NEWS OF HER ILLNESS IN A WAY THAT RALLIES LOUISIANA.

THIS TIME TO PRAYER.

SHE DID NOT SAY IN HER LETTER TO LOUISIANA I AM IN THE FIGHT FOR MY LIFE AND I URGENTLY NEED YOUR PRAYER.

NO, HER LETTER WAS FIRST AND FOR MOST A THANK YOU TO THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA.

IT WAS A TESTAMENT TO HER BELIEF IN THE POWER OF PRAYER AND A SIMP REQUEST, I WOULD DEEPLY APPRECIATE IT SHE SAID, IF YOU SHOULD SEE FIT THAT YOU OFFER PRAYERS ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AS WELL AS ALL OTHERS FIGHTING TO SURVIVE LIFE THREATENING ILLNESSES.

NOT A REQUEST SOLELY ABOUT HERSELF, NOT A LETTER WRITTEN TO SEEK SYMPATHY, BUT A LETTER MEANT TO LIFT THE TESTIMONY OF PEOPLE AND THE POWER OF PRAYER.

WHEN I VISITED HER AGAIN LAST WEEK THOU SHE WAS WEAKENED FROM HER CANCER FIGHT SHE SMILED AND OPEN HER ARMS SO I COULD RECEIVE MY LAST BIG GREAT HUG.

SHE QUIZZED MY ABOUT MY DAUGHTER AND MY WORK AND OF COURSE I HAD TO REMIND HER I WAS THERE TO CHECK ON HER AND COACH AND HER FAMILY NOT TO TALK ABOUT ME.

BUT THAT WAS KATHLEEN ALWAYS INTERESTED IN EVERYONE WHO VISITED HER.

ON AUGUST 18TH AT 2:54 P.M.

LOUISIANA 54TH GOVERNOR WAS CALLED HOME.

SHE HAD HUNG IN THERE TO CELEBRATE HER 55TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.

HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND SPECIAL MOMENTS WITH HER CHILDREN, HER FAMILY AND HER VAST ARRAY OF FRIENDS.

IT IS SAID THAT PARENTS GIVE US 2 THINGS ROOTS AND WINGS.

LIKE A MIGHTY OAK KATHLEEN HAS LEFT US WITH DEEP ROOTS THE KIND THAT ARE SO COMMON IN LOUISIANA.

ROOTS THAT GROUND OUR WORK, ANCHOR OR CAMPUS AND TIE US TO A PLACE WE ARE SO PROUD TO CALL HOME.

ALSO GIVEN US WINGS TO SORE TO NEW HEIGHTS ENCOURAGING US TO LIF AS WE CLIMB.

CALLING US TO BE TORCH BEARERS FOR SERVICE, ADVOCATES FOR EDUCATION AND CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN.

I AM CERTAIN THAT LOUISIANA IS A BETTER PLACE BECAUSE KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO SERVED AND LIVE AND LOST.

THANK YOU FORGIVING IT YOUR ALL.

WE LOVE YOU WE MISS YOU MAY SHE REST IN PEACE.

MUSIC PLAYING I WILL READ TO YOU FROM THE HOLLY WORD OF GOD FOUND IN THE QURAN.

THE ENGLISH TRANSLATION IS IN THE A NAME OF ALAMOS GRACIOUS SUSTAINER OF THE ALL THE WORLD MOST MASTERS BE ALONE WE WORSHIP THE ALOW WE ASK FOR HELP SHOW US THE STRAIGHT PATH THE PATH THOSE ARE FAVORED NOR THOSE WHO GO ASTRAY.

A READING FROM THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW THE 25TH CHAPTER BEGINNING AT THE THIRTY-FIRST VERSE.

WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMES IN HIS GLORY AND ALL THE ANGELS WITH HIM HE WILL SIT ON HIS THROWN.

ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE GATHERED BEFORE HIM AND SEPARATE THE PEOPLE 1 FROM ANOTHER AS A SHEPHERD SEPARATES THE SHEEP FROM THE GOAT.

PUT THE SHEEP ON HIS RIGHT AND THE GOATS ON HIS LEFT.

THEN THE KING WILL SAY TO THOSE ON THE RIGHT COME YOU WHO ARE BLESSED BY MY FATHER TAKE YOUR INHERITANCE, THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU SINCE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD.

FOR I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME SOMETHING TO EAT.

I WAS THIRSTY AND YOU GAVE ME SOMETHING TO DRINK.

I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU INVITED ME IN.

I NEEDED CLOTHES AND YOU CLOTHED ME.

I WAS SICK AND YOU LOOKED AFTER ME.

I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU CAME TO VISIT ME.

THEN THE RIGHTEOUS WILL ANSWER HIM LORD WHEN DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY AND FEED YOU OR THIRSTY AND GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO DRINK.

WHEN DID WE SEE YOU A STRANGER AND INVITE YOU IN OR NEEDING CLOTHE AND CLOTHED YOU.

WHEN DID WE SEE YOU SICK OR IN PRISON AND GO TO VISIT YOU.

THEN THE KING WILL REPLY, TRULY I TELL YOU WHATEVER YOU DID FOR 1 OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF MINE YOU DID FOR ME.

THEN HE WILL SAY TO THOSE ON HIS LEFT DEPART FROM ME YOU WHO ARE CURSED FOR I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME NOTHING TO EAT.

I WAS THIRSTY AND YOU GAVE ME NOTHING TO DRINK.

I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU IT DID NOT INVITE ME IN.

I NEEDED CLOTHES AND YOU DID NOT CLOTHE ME.

I WAS SICK AND IN PRISON AND YOU DID NOT LOOK AFTER ME.

THEY ALSO WILL ANSWER LORD WHEN DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY OR THIRSTY EAR A STRANGER NEEDING CLOTHES OR IN PRISON AND DID NOT HELP YOU.

HE WILL REPLY TRULY I TELL YOU WHATEVER YOU DO NOT FOR THE LEAST OF THESE YOU DO NOT DO FOR ME.

AND THEY WILL GO AWAY TO ETURNAL PUNNINGSMENT BUT THE RIGHTEOUS TO ETURNAL LIFE.

HERE ENDS THE READING.

THE GOVERNANCE OF POWER.

POWER IS A WOMAN WHO LOOKED DIRECTLY INTO THE CAMERA SAYS THE DEFINING MOMENT IN HER LIFE IS THE LOSS OF A SON.

POWER IS THE WOMAN WHO ALWAYS RIGHTS HER OWN POWER IS THE WOMAN WHO TAKES HER OWN 15 YEARS TO RAISE HER CHILDREN.

POWER IS THE WOMAN WHO CARES ABOUT THE HEALTH OF OTHERS FIRST.

POWER IS THE WOMAN WHO TEACHES AND THEN TEACHESS TEACHERS.

SHE TEACHES THEM TO BUILD SCHOOLS FIRST FROM THE INSIDE.

POWER IS THE WOMAN WHO FALLS IN LOVE WITH THE 1 BLANCO SHE KNOWS SHE WILL SPEND IT REST OF HER LIFE WITH AND DOES.

POWER IS THE WOMAN FEARLESS OF FOREIGN TONGUES AND PLACES AND PEOPLE.

POWER IS THE WOMAN NEVER HEDGING WHEN IT COMES TO HER GOD.

HOW SHE WILL WALK WITH HIM AND TALK TO HIM AND REST IN HIM.

POWER IS THE WOMAN WHO CAN SAY I AM A POWERFUL WOMAN AND I DON'T SAY THAT BECAUSE I WAS GOVERNOR.

SHE SAYS I AM NOT POWERFUL BECAUSE I WHEELED POWER THEN OR NOW.

BUT BECAUSE I CLAIM POWER AND I CLAIM THAT POWER TO DEFINE MY PERSONAL HAPPINESS.

SHE SAYS THIS TO A GROUP OF STUDENTS AT THE BEGINNING OF A FEW PHASE OF THEIR LIVES.

A LAST PHASE IN HERS.

SHE SAYS TO THEM, I SUGGEST YOU GIVE YOURSELF THAT GIFT TOO.

ALL POWER COMES FROM BIG HEARTEDNESS AND A PLAN.

FROM HOPE AND FAITH AND SHE'S SAYING TO US TODAY GIVE YOURSELF THAT GIFT TOO.

THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE.

APPLAUSE DISTINGISHED GUEST FORMER GOVERNOR JINDAL MOST ESPECIALLY MS.

BABINEAUX, COACH, THE ENTIRE BLANCO FAMILY.

THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR OF BEING ABLE TO CELEBRATE AND PAY TRIBUTE TO A GREAT WOMAN.

SOMEONE I WAS FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO KNOW, TO KNOW WELL TO CALL AMEN TOR AND FRIEND.

TWO YEARS BEFORE MY ELECTION AS GOVERNOR IN 2015 AND LONG BEFORE MANY THOUGHT I COULD WIN GOVERNOR BLANCO INVITED OUR FAMILY TO LAFAYETTE TO HAVE SUPPER SO THAT MY KIDS WOULD HEAR FROM HER CHILDREN WHAT TO EXPECT FROM LIFE IN THE GOVERNORS MANSION AND I DON'T SHARE THIS WITH YOU TO HIGH LIGHT THE EELECTION OR HER CLAIRE BOYIANCE RATHER HER GENEROUS SPIRIT.

SHE PERSONALLY SPENT TIME WITH EACH OF OUR CHILDREN.

AND COACH MAY BE A SIGNIFICANT CONTUBULATION TOO.

TURNED ME ONTO A REALLY GOOD OLD FASHION THAT NIGHT.

THAT NIGHT SHE ALSO SPOKE TO ME TO FOCUS ON THE LEAST FORTUNATE IN LOUISIANA.

THE GOSPEL READING MATTHEW 25.

SHE DIDN'T FIGHT THAT PASSAGE.

I KNEW FROM THE END OF THAT CONVERSATION THAT PASSAGE HAD GREATLY INFLUENCED HER BECAUSE SHE SPOKE ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE.

THE LEAST AMONG US.

LORD WHEN DID I SEE YOU HUNGRY, THIRSTY, A STRANGER, NAKED, SICK OR IN PRISON.

AND THIS DEEP AND ABIDING LOVE THAT SHE HAD FOR ALL THE PEOPLE MADE HER A SPECIAL LEADER.

A THENTIC, CONSISTENT AND SINCERE WE ALL KNOW THAT KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO HOLD THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA AND SHE CERTAIN WILL NOT BE THE LAST.

KATHLEEN FAITH, LIFE EXPERIENCES AND GENUINE CONCERN FOR OTHERS ALLOWED HER TO CONNECT ON A DEEPLY PERSONAL LEVEL WITH NEARLY EVER PERSON SHE MET.

AND I SUSSPECT THAT EVERY PERSON HERE BELIEVES THAT KATHLEEN KNEW THEM AND LOVED THEM INDIVIDUALALLY AND YOU ARE ALL RIGHT, SHE DID.

SHE WAS A TRUE CAJUN BORN IN IBERIA PARISH.

SHE WAS A MOTHER WHO KNEW THE GREAT JOY OF RAISING 6 CHILDREN BUT AT THE SAME TIME SHE WAS ALSO A MOTHER WHO KNEW THE UNIMAGINABLE HEART BREAK OF LOSING A CHILD.

A DEVOTE CATHOLIC SHE LEANED ON HER FAITH FOR GUIDANCE AND FOR COMFORT.

LIKE ALL OF US I SUSPECT SHE WAS THE SUM OF OUR COMULATIVE EXPERIENCES.

BUT SHE WAS ALSO MUCH MORE.

SHE WAS A STAY AT HOME MOM, A TEACHER, A PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSIONER, A LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND YES SHE WAS THE 54TH GOVERNOR OF THE GREAT STATE OF LOUISIANA.

AND SHE WAS A GOOD ANDDESCENT PERSON WHO UNDER STOOD PEOPLE BECAUSE SHE UNDER STOOD LIFE ITS BEAUTY AND HARDSHIPS.

AS WE ALL KNOW SHE LED LOUISIANA THREW SOME OF ITS DARKEST DAYS.

AS A BEBELIEVER IN DIVINE PROVIDENCE SHE KNEW SHE WAS PUT IN THAT POSITION FOR A REASON AND I BELIEVE THAT.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT SHE WAS MEANT TO BE GOVERNOR OF THIS GREAT FOR MANY OTHER REASONS.

THERE WAS 1 GROUP WHO NEEDED HER PATIENT AND COMPATIENT LEADERSHIP MORE THAN ANY OTHER.

LOUISIANA CHILDREN.

SOME MIGHT SAY BEING A TEACHER OR BEING A MOTHER IS WHAT SPARKED HER LOVE FOR CHILDREN.

CERTAINLY THAT IS THE CASE.

BUT I KNOW THAT HER DEVOTION TO THE WELL BEING TO THE CHILDREN OF LOUISIANA RAN MUCH DEEPER.

SHE SAW EVERY CHILD AS A CHILD OF GOD.

AS A BROTHER OR SISTER IN CHRIST.

AND ACCORDINGLY SHE FELT A RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE FOR THEM AS IF THEY WERE HER OWN.

I THINK ITS FITTING JUST BEFORE I GOT UP TO SPEAK THE CHILDRENS PERFORMED THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE.

THAT IS WHAT HE WANTED FOR EVERY CHILD FOR THEIR LIGHT TO SHINE TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE.

A FUTURE THE QUALITY OF THE EDUCATION DID NOT DEPEND UPON THE ZIP CODE.

A FUTURE WHERE NO PARENT NEEDED TO WONDER HOW TO PAY FOR THEIR CHILD'S DOCTOR VISIT.

A FUTURE WHERE A CHILD EVEN FROM THE MOST MODEST OF MEANS AND CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCE CAN GROW UP IN A WORLD FILLED WITH OPPORTUNITY.

INCLUDING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE GOVERNOR.

ON JULY 2ND DONNA AND I ATTENNED A CEREMONY IN LAFAYETTE THE GOVERNOR KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO HIGH WAY.

A FITTING TRIBUTE.

SHE AND COACH WERE SO EXCITED.

A COUPLE WEEKS AGO I RETURNED TO SEE HER AND THINGS WERE MUCH DIFFERENT.

BUT AS SOON AS I APPROACHED HER SHE OPENED HER EYES LOOKED RIGHT AT ME AND ASKED ME IF I HAD ANOTHER HIGH WAY TO NAME FOR HER.

SHE THEN SMILED AND SHE LAUGHED.

YOU KNOW IN ADDITION TO HER SENSE OF GIMMER AND CONTAJISH OPTIMISM 1 OF THE THINGS I WOULD CHERISH SHE NEVER STOPPED FIGHTING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE.

FOR EXAMPLE SHE KNEW THEIR WELL BEING IS TIED TO THE CRITICAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS UNIVERSITY AND HOSPITALS.

WHEN I WILL LITTERY FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE SHE WITH COACH BY HER SIDE ALSO FOUGHT TO FUND UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE AND UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN LAFAYETTE.

AND SIMILAR INSTITUTIONS ALL ACROSS THE STATE OF LOUISIANA WHEN THE FISCAL CLIFF THREATENED THEIR FUNDING.

KATHLEEN ONCE SAID MY VALUES, OUR VALUES AREN'T ABOUT POINTING FINGERS.

THEY ARE ABOUT OFFERING A HELPING HAND.

THAT I BELIEVE IS THE VERY EMBOYMENT OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A TRUE LOUISIANAIAN AND SHE CERTAINLY WAS.

LIKE YOU I WISH WE COULD HAVE HAD HERSAGE COUNSEL AND LOVING GENEROSITY FOR MANY MORE YEARS.

I WISH IT FOR THE STATE, I WISH IT FOR ME AND I WISH IT FOR THE INCREDIBLE FAMILY THAT SHE AND COACH CREATED LET'S COMMIT HERE AND NOW TO FOCUS NOT ON THE VOID BUT TO FOREVER TREASURE THE BLESSING THAT SHE WAS AND LET'S GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR THE MANY BEAUTIFUL WAYS SHE ENRICHED OUR LIVES AND OUR STATE.

THE GREATEST GIFT ANYONE OF US CAN ASK FOR IS TO BE ABLE FOOAT THEIND OF OUR DAYS AS THE POW POWERFUL HYMN GOES IT IS WELL IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL.

KATHLEEN HAD THAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND IT WAS WELL.

SHE FOUND PEACE.

AND I HOPE AND PRAY THAT PART OF HER PEACE WAS KNOWING SHE COULD COUNT ON US TO CONTINUE HER LEGACY TO CARING FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL STATE THAT SHE SO PROUDLY SERVED AND SHE SO DEARLY LOVED.

SO LET'S HONOR HER BY DOING JUST THAT.

GOD BLESS YOU.

LET US TURN TO THE LORD WHOSE PROVIDENCE HOLD IN COMPATION OUR SISTER KATHLEEN.

LET US OF US HERE REMEMBER HER WITH LOVE AND GRATITUDE WE WILL PRAY TO THE LORD, LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

FOR THE PEOPLE OF EVERY LAND AND NATION WHO SEEK GOD WITH THE SEEN SEAR HEART THEY MAY FIND THEIR HEARTS DESIRE IN PEACE AND FREEDOM WE PRAYER TO THE LORD >> LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA BY GOD'S STRENGTH MAY OUR NATION REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE VALUES OF JUSTICE, FREEDOM, INTEGRITY AND REGGEN SILLATION.

WE PRAY TO THE LORD >> LORD HER OUR PRAYERS.

FOR ALL EXSILED AND REFUGEES FOR THOSE WHO COME TO THIS COUNTRY SEEKING OPPORTUNITY.

FOR THOSE WHO CALL LOUISIANA HOME WE PRAY TO THE LORD >> LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

FOR THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA MAY WE LIVE THIS GREAT LAND FAITHEDFUL TO OUR BLESSINGS AND COMMITTED TO THE COMMON GOOD.

WE PRAY TO THE LORD >> LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

FOR THE MEN AND WOMAN WHO SERVED WITH GOVERNOR BLANCO ON BEHALF OF THE CITIZENS OF THE STATE MAY THEY REMAIN TRUE TO THE CALLING OF SERVICE WITH INTEGRITY AND HONOR WE PRAY TO THE LORD >> LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

FOR A DEEPER SPIRIT OF RECONCILIATION AMONG PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT RACES AND RELIGIONS FOR COMMUNITY OF HEART IN ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS OF OUR SOCIETY THAT ALL PEOPLE MAY BE LIFTED UP BY THE HOPE OF THE WORLD MADE NEW.

WE PRAY TO THE LORD >> LORD HEAR OUR PRAYERS.

FOR ALL WHO ARE POWERLESS AND WHO LIVE ON THE BED OF PAIN MAY THEIR HOPE NOT BE FORGOTTEN.

WE PRAY TO THE LORD >> LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER ON BEHALF OF OUR EVAN JU00 KATHLEEN BLANCO TO THE SERVICE MEN AND WOMAN FROM THE STATE OF LOUISIANA WHO STAND IN DEFENSE OF OUR COUNTRY IN PLACES NEAR AND FAR AWAY FOR ALL OF THEM WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES SO THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE IN FREEDOM, FOR THE GENERATIONS WHO HAVE LIVED IN THIS STATE AND WHO NOW SLEEP IN ETURNTY WE PRAY TO THE LORD.

>> LORD HEAR OUR PRAYER.

IN SILENCE WE OFFER TO THE GOD OF US ALL OUR PRAYERS OF NEED.

GRACIOUS GOD WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE LONG LIFE OF OUR SISTER KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO NOW CAUGHT UP IN YOUR EMENSE LOVE.

WE THANK YOU FOR HER WITNESS AND SERVICE.

SHE WHO WAS STRONG IN FAITH DISCERNING IN PROCLAMATION, CUGRACIOUS IN WITNESS AND PERSISTENT IN GOOD DEED.

MAY SHE KNOW THE JOY OF SEEING YOU FACE TO FACE OH, GOD AND LIVE WITH YOUR FOREVER AND EVER AMEN.

PLEASE JOIN IN SINGING RECESSINAL HYMN ON PAGE 6 FIFTY AMAZING GRACE PAGE 650.

VERSES 1 AND 5.

AMAZING GRACE WE CONTINUE TO WATCH THE SERVICES IN BATON ROUGE FOR GOVERNOR KATHLEEN BABINEAUX BLANCO THE 54TH GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA.

HERE WITH BETH AND STEVEN.

YOU ARE WATCHING NOW A PROCESSION IN BATON ROUGE >> WHAT A MOVING SERVICE AND REFLECTED HER STRONG FAITH AND I THINK EVERYONE WHO SPOKE SPOKE OF HER JOY AND SPIRIT TILL THE VERY END.

AND MOVING FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE AND ALL, I SAW CATHOLICS, RABBIS, BUT ALSO METHODISTS.

WE RECOGNIZED MINISTERS.

ONE OF THE COMMON THEMES SHE WAS A LOVING MOTHER.

A MOTHER NOT ONLY TO HER CHILDREN, BUT TO ALL THE CHILDREN OF LOUISIANA AND THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA >> YES SHE LOVED LOUISIANA.

GOVERNOR JOHN BEL EDWARDS CENTER PIECE OF THE SPEAKERS AND CHOKED UP DURING HIS DISCUSSION OF HER LIFE AND WHAT SHE MEANT TO HIM.

YOU CAN TELL THERE WAS A SPECIAL CLOSENESS HE FELT.

I THINK WHAT THE GOVERNOR SAID WAS THEY CONNECTED ON A DEEPLY PERSONAL LEVEL WITH MANY PEOPLE AND PROBABLY EVERYONE OUT THERE WHO IS WATCHING THIS EVERY SEEN HER, MET HER FELT A VERY PERSONAL CONNECTION.

THE WARMTH THAT REALLY WAS A CHARACTER RISTIC WHAT WE ALL SAW IN HER AS A MOTHER, GRAND MOTHER AND GOVERNOR >> AMONG THE SPEAKERS WHO GAVE READINGS LATE IN THE PROGRAM WE SAW GALE BENSON PRESIDENT OF THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS.

AGAIN SOMEONE THAT KATHLEEN BLANCO AND THE SAINTS ORGANIZATION KEPT CLOSE WATCH OVER DURING HER REIN AS GOVERNOR.

THE THIS WILL CONTINUE LATER.

JOINING THE PROCESSION AS IT GOES UP TO THE STATE CAPITOL ABOUT 12: THIRTY.

>> CORRECT.

THAT WILL BE UNTIL ABOUT 6:00 O'CLOCK TODAY AND THEN BE TRANSPORTED TO LAFAYETTE TOMORROW FOR SERVICES THERE.

STEVEN YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE SERVICE WE JUST SAW >> I THOUGHT IT WAS A WONDERFUL COMBINATION TALKING ABOUT FAITH AND HER FAMILY AND HER COMMITMENT TO HER FAMILY AND REALLY THE WAY SHE APPROACHED THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AS A BROADER FAMILY.

AND I THINK THAT REALLY DROVE A LOT OF HER POLICY INITIATIVES AND I THINK THAT HEART OF REALLY TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE BUT UNDERSTANDING WHERE THEY ARE AND WHAT IT IS THEY NEED TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL I THINK IS PART OF WHAT MADE HER POLICY RESINATE SO WELL >> A FOCUS CERTAINLY FOCUSING ON THE LEAST FORTUNATE AND MOST VENERABLE THOSE IN LOUISIANA AND THE CHILDREN OF LOUISIANA >> CERTAINLY A HISTORIC DAY.

SHE WAS THE FIRST WOMAN GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA AND I WAS JUST LOOKING TALKING ABOUT PERSONAL THINGS THAT SHE SENT ME LATE IN MAY AND SHE JUST KNEW THAT WE HAD BEEN RECORDING HISTORY AND A WONDERFUL ARCHIVE WORKING WITH YOU AND HER CENTER GOING FORWARD, SHE SAID THANK YOU FOR MAKING ALL THE FILM ACCESSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE OF LOUISIANA.

HISTORY IS WELL RECORDED FOR THOSE WHO CARE TO LEARN FROM IT APPRECIATELY KATHLEEN.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO LEARN >> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

AND I THINK SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO BE WORKING VERY HARD ON AT THE PUBLIC POLICY CENTER.

MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN GATHER THAT DATA, COLLECT THAT INFORMATION, SHARE THAT WITH THE PUBLIC.

MAKE SURE WE ARE LEARNING FOR OUR HISTORY AND CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD >> IS THERE A TARGET DATE FOR THE CENTER TO OPEN ROUGHLY >> WELL I THINK THIS WHOLE YEAR IS GOING TO BE A GROWING PROCESS.

WE ARE OPERATIONAL NOW.

WE HAVE ALREADY GOT SOME RESEARCH PROJECTS.

WORKING TO HIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF.

WE WILL BE GETTING SOME STUDENTS INVOLVED IN OUR WORK AS THE SEMESTER BEGINS AND CONTINUE TO GROW FROM THERE >> I CERTAINLY SEE EVERYONE GATHERING OUTSIDE.

REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRATS, YOUNG, OLD.

I THINK ITS VERY UNUSUAL TO HAVE SOMEONE LYING IN STATE, THE THE CAPITOL.

I RECALL WHEN DAVE PASSED AWAY WE HAD A CEREMONY WITHIN THE STATE CAPITAL.

LOOKING BACK AND THINKING THE NUMEROUS TIMES WE HAVE HAD OTHER FORMER GOVERNOR LIVING GOVERNORS STILL I DID NOT SEE ED1 EDWARDS TODAY.

MAY BE GOING TO LAFAYETTE.

ALSO BUDDY ROAMER STILL WITH US AND CERTAINLY GOVERNOR MIKE FOSTER WHO I THINK I HAVE NOT SEEN HIM OUT A WHOLE LOT.

BUT TODAY TO FOCUS ON THE LEGACY AND CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF KATHLEEN BLANCO.

>> CERTAINLY EA GREAT DEAL OF CELEBRATION HERE.

MEMORIES TO CELEBRATE HER LIFE.

THE SERVICE NOW MOVE FROM ST.

JOSEPH TO THE STATE CAPITOL IN BATON ROUGE.

WE WILL RETURN AND BE JOINED AGAIN FOR THE SERVICES ABOUT 12: THIRTY AS THERE IS A PROCESSION TO THE FRONT STEPS INTO THE CAPITOL WHERE SHE WILL LIE IN STATE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING WITH US.

WE WILL CONTINUE OUR COVERAGE AT 12: THIRTY.

STEVEN WE WILL BE TALKING A LOT WITH YOU >> ABSOLUTELY LOOK FORWARD TO IT >> HERE AT OUR LPB STUDIOS JOIN OUR REGULAR PROGRAM IN PROGRESS AND SEE YOU AGAIN.