Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 11/20/98
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   28

Editors: Photo accompanies release
LIVINGSTON TO ADDRESS SOUTHEASTERN GRADUATES
     HAMMOND -- The newly-elected Speaker of the United States House of
Representatives, Louisiana's veteran Congressman Robert L. (Bob) Livingston, will be the
keynote speaker at Southeastern Louisiana University's December 12 commencement program. 
      Livingston will address a record 950-plus Southeastern graduates, including the 40,000th
student to receive a Southeastern degree. The commencement program will begin at 10 a.m. in
the University Center on University Avenue
     "We're very excited about Congressman Livingston's emerging leadership position in
Congress and the importance and prestige it has for our state," Southeastern President Sally
Clausen said. "Now, the entire country will benefit, as Louisiana has for more than two decades,
from his hard work, dedication and efficient leadership."
     "Congressman Livingston has already his commitment to education," Clausen said.
"Southeastern will be eagerly anticipating his leadership in this area. We look forward to 
working with our new Speaker." 
     Livingston, who has represented Louisiana's First District since 1977, was elected
Speaker by his House of Representatives colleagues on Nov. 18, 1998 and will be sworn in as the
third-highest ranking figure in American government in January. His peers previously chose the
veteran congressman from Metairie to chair the House Appropriations Committee, which has
jurisdiction over all discretionary federal government expenditures. Under Livingston's
leadership, the Appropriations Committee eliminated more than 300 programs and maintained a
freeze on spending. Livingston was the first Republican in more than 40 years to be re-elected
chair of the powerful House committee.
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LIVINGSTON   Add One
     During the 105th Congress, Livingston co-chaired the bi-partisan Ethics Reform Task
Force, which revamped House ethics rules, and shepherded 13 appropriations bills through the
legislative process.
     A resident of southeast Louisiana for most of his life, Livingston earned his bachelor's
and Juris Doctorate degrees from Tulane University, which has awarded him its prestigious
Sesquicentennial and Distinguished Alumnus awards. Livingston served on active duty with the
United States Navy from 1961-63 and in the U.S. Navy Reserve until 1967.
     Congressman Livingston practiced law in both public and private fields for nine years. As
Assistant United States Attorney from 1970-73, he served as deputy chief of the criminal
division
of the U.S. Attorney's office, and was honored as an Outstanding Assistant U.S. Attorney. He
also served as Chief Special Prosecutor and chief of the Armed Robbery Division for the Orleans
Parish District Attorney's Office (1974-75) and Chief Prosecutor for the Organized Crime United
of the Louisiana Attorney General's Office (1975-76).
     The congressman and his wife, the former Bonnie Robichaux of Raceland, live in
Metairie and Alexandria, Va., and have four children.
     Also at the commencement program, Southeastern will award an honorary degree to
Hammond attorney Tom Matheny in recognition of his many years of service to the community
and his international leadership in the United Methodist Church.
                            - SLU -
     This press release is available on the World Wide Web:
       www.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/newsf98.htm