AMITE CITY, La. — John Bel Edwards delivers his farewell address as the 56th Governor of Louisiana at the Florida Parishes Agricultural Event Center in his hometown of Amite on Wednesday, Jan. 3.
Edwards, who was term-limited after taking office in 2016, will be succeeded by Gov.-elect Jeff Landry, who will be sworn in on the steps of the State Capitol on Jan. 8.
"Now let’s go back to 2016 and talk about the challenges we’ve met and the progress we’ve delivered over eight years. Because my story is your story. And I want you all to be proud of what we’ve accomplished for Louisiana together. All of it on a bipartisan basis," Edwards said during his address.
During his time in office, Edwards has made initiatives to lowering the unemployment rate, education, investments in critical infrastructure, transportation, expanding programs for small businesses and creating job opportunities.
His first act as Governor expanded Medicaid. Now over 500,000 working Louisianans have access to healthcare, Edwards said.
"Together, we have righted so many wrongs. We’ve built on the future while maintaining what makes Louisiana great," he said.
In a statement released by the governor's office, Louisiana’s real Gross Domestic Product grew faster than 45 other states, at a rate of 6.6%. The national rate was 4.9%. The state's GDP was higher than southern states including Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and Florida.
Edwards said Louisiana is the first state in America to receive a $1.3 billion funding allocation, which he said is "setting a model for other states" using the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
He went on to say Louisiana is stronger and in a better place.
Edwards closed his speech stating, "Louisiana, I will forever be your humble servant. But for now… Amite, I’m coming home with a grateful heart."
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