[StBernard] LRA Chairman Norman Francis Receives Wisdom Award for Education

[Westley Annis]

LRA Chairman Norman Francis Receives Wisdom Award for Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Visionary Leadership Project (NVLP) awarded Louisiana Recovery Authority Chairman and Xavier University of Louisiana President Norman C. Francis the distinguished Wisdom Award for education today at its 2007 Intergenerational Summit on the State of Black America. 

"We are so proud to honor such an extraordinary leader in education as well as pay tribute to his tireless commitment to his beloved city during its most trying times," said Camille O. Cosby, co-founder and president of the NVLP.

The NVLP is a Washington, D.C. based non-profit educational organization created in 2002 "to ensure that the wisdom of our country's extraordinary African-American elders is preserved by and passed on to the young people who will lead us tomorrow."

The summit, held at the Library of Congress, featured Dr. Francis as one of six extraordinary "visionaries" or African-American elders who have made a significant impact in shaping the history of the United States. Other notable "visionaries" honored in the past include historian Maya Angelou, musician Ray Charles and civil rights activist Coretta Scott King.

To learn more about the National Visionary Leadership Project visit http://www.visionaryproject.org <http://www.visionaryproject.org> . 

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Gov! ernor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana. 

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