News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Christina Chapple Date: 8/27/04   LINDY BOGGS TO PRESENT SOUTHEASTERN’S MORRISON LECTURE SEPT. 9       HAMMOND – Louisiana political legend Lindy Boggs, the first woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana and former ambassador to the Vatican, will present Southeastern Louisiana University’s annual James H. Morrison Lecture on Politics and Government at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9 in the Student Union Theatre.        The free lecture, which is open to the public, is sponsored by Southeastern’s Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies and the College of Arts and Sciences. The event honors the late James H. “Jimmy” Morrison, the Hammond native who represented Louisiana’s Sixth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1943-1967. Morrison died in 2000.       The lecture explores critical and topical themes pertaining to public policy. Previous speakers have included U.S. Senators John Breaux and Mary Landrieu, U.S. Representative W.J. “Billy” Tauzin, state Senators John Hainkel and Melvin “Kip” Holden, state Rep. Henry “Tank” Powell, and Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Jack A. “Jay” Blossman Jr.       Boggs was elected to Congress in 1973 through a special election to fill the seat of her late husband, House Majority Leader Hale Boggs, whose plane disappeared over Alaska in October 1972. She served nine terms before retiring in 1990.        As a member of Congress, Boggs spearheaded legislation on issues ranging from civil rights to credit access and government service pay equity for women. She served on the Appropriations Committee and the Select Committee on Children, Youth and Families where she chaired the Crisis Intervention Task Force.        From 1997-2001, Boggs served as United States Ambassador to the Vatican.       In 1976, Boggs was the first woman to chair the National Democratic Convention. She was also the first woman to serve as a regent of the Smithsonian Institution. She presided over the bicentennial of the American Constitution in 1987 and chaired the commission commemorating the 200th anniversary of Congress.       Born in Point Coupee Parish, Boggs is a graduate of Sophie Newcomb College at Tulane University. She has a special interest in scientific research, technology development and housing issues. Her honors include the first American Veterans Auxiliary National Humanitarian Award, the Eleanor Roosevelt Centennial Award, the National Science Foundation’s Distinguished Service Award, the first annual International Women’s Forum Award and the Louisiana Library Association’s Literary Award for her book, “Washington Through a Purple Veil.”       For additional information about the Morrison Lecture, call the Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies, 985-549-2151.