Nola Reporter

The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame proudly announces eight prominent Louisiana
political leaders will be honored with induction and one family will be awarded in New Orleans

on March 4.

The Political Hall of Fame inductees for 2023 are the Hon. Bernard Bagert, Mr. Jim Carvin, the

Hon. Louis Charbonnet, the Hon. Mitch Landrieu, the Hon. Marc Morial, the Hon. Ben W.

Nevers, the Hon. Suzanne Haik Terrell and Mr. Roger F. Villere.

The Political Family of Officeholders Award will be presented to the Bagneris family, brothers

John, Dennis and Michael Bagneris.

The 31st Annual Hall of Fame Induction will be held at The National WWII Museum U.S.

Freedom Pavilion at 1043 Magazine St. in New Orleans, LA on Saturday, March 4. A public

reception will be held from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. with the banquet and ceremony to follow.

Tickets may be purchased from the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame for $250 each

(open seating) by visiting The Friends of the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame

Foundation event website at lapolmushof.com or by calling (318) 628-5928 before Feb. 28. All

tickets must be reserved and paid for in advance.

Various level event sponsorships are also available. Staff at the Louisiana Political Museum is

happy to provide more information concerning sponsorship details. Interested persons and

organizations are invited to contact (318) 628-5928 or (318) 628-0169 to arrange an event

sponsorship.

The honorees for 2023 are:

THE HON. BERNARD BAGERT - Ben Bagert, Jr. is known as someone who values the

dignity of hard work. At Jesuit High School, he excelled in many student and athletic activities.

He earned his law degree at Loyola where he was named President of the student body. He began

the practice of law in1968. His interest in politics led him to run as a Democrat for State

Representative. It was a very tough campaign, but he won at the age of 24. He served in the State

House from 1970-1984 and was one of the famed “Young Turks” who worked with E.L.

“Bubba” Henry for legislative reform. In 1984 he won a state Senate seat. In the Senate, he

worked on opportunities for people suffering from addictive disorders, mental health challenges

and those who were developmentally disabled. Bagert ran as a Republican in the 1990 United

States Senate race but withdrew early to prevent David Duke from securing a spot in the runoff

election. He left politics in 1992 to devote himself full time to his law practice. Bagert's ethical

standards and legal expertise are widely respected as he has argued cases before numerous courts in several states. He has earned many accolades and awards and is affiliated with many law-

related organizations. Bagert has been named a “Top Lawyer” in Louisiana.

MR. JIM CARVIN - James Desmond Carvin was known as a “political guru” in Louisiana

politics. Born in New York in 1929 to British parents, the family moved back to England during

the Depression. At the age of 18, he returned to live in the United States, serving in the Air Force

during the Korean War using his artistic skills to draw bombing maps. After the war, he was sent

to Lake Charles. After his service was concluded, he started one of the first local advertising

agencies. This led him to what would become his true passion - managing political campaigns.

After managing the Gillis Long 1963 Gubernatorial Campaign effort, he moved to New Orleans

and partnered with two well-known political veterans, Gus Weil and Ray Strother, to form a

political consulting partnership. Carvin later began his own firm which touted a 75 per cent

success record in local, state and national campaigns. He developed campaign strategies for

many of Louisiana's leading political figures on both sides of the aisle, including Edwin

Edwards' campaigns for Governor and ten consecutive Mayors of New Orleans. Along with

James Chubbuck and Ed Renwick, he was instrumental in developing the Institute of Politics at

Loyola University. This “Dean of Louisiana Politics” continued his political work even through a

debilitating stroke until his death in 2009. It was written that he was “a winner till the end.”

THE HON. LOUIS CHARBONNET - Louis Charbonnet III was born in 1939 in New Orleans'

Historic Tremé Neighborhood, the oldest neighborhood of “Free People of Color” in the United

States. A graduate of Houston's Commonwealth College of Science, Charbonnet also studied at

Loyola University's City College and Southern University. He received the CFSP certification in

2012. After serving in the Army, Charbonnet returned to New Orleans to work with his father in

the construction business and at the family funeral home. Always having a heart for the needs of

his community, he ran for and won the Louisiana State Representative seat for the 96th District.

He served in this office from 1970-1984. During his legislative service, Charbonnet

distinguished himself as a floor leader for Governors Edwin Edwards and Dave Treen, and also

for New Orleans Mayors Moon Landrieu and Ernest Morial. In addition, he was the legislative

coordinator for the city of New Orleans for Mayor Sydney Barthelemy. After retiring from the

political arena, he devoted himself to his family's funeral business where, as the fourth-

generation co-owner and CEO, he built it into the world-famous Charbonnet Labat Glapion

Funeral Home. Under his guidance, the funeral home expanded to other locations and began a

variety of related businesses, including a French Quarter buggy business. His 54 years of

unwavering dedication have earned him many honors. He considers his greatest honor being

recognized as the Robert H. Miller Professional of the Year by the National Funeral Directors

and Mortician Association. He is currently guiding the fifth generation of his family, including

daughter Kim, to operate his family's legendary New Orleans business.

THE HON. MITCH LANDRIEU - Mitch Landrieu had a successful law practice in New

Orleans where he became known as an expert reformer. He then served 16 years in the state

legislature and two terms as Lieutenant Governor. He ran for Mayor of New Orleans, was

elected and served two terms from 2010 to 2018. When he took office, New Orleans was still

recovering from Hurricane Katrina and in the midst of the BP oil spill. Landrieu fast-tracked

over 100 projects and secured billions in federal funding to help in the city's recovery. In 2015,

Landrieu was named “Public Official of the Year” for his efforts. In 2016, he was voted

“America's Top Turnaround Mayor” in a Politico survey of mayors. He served as the President

of the US Conference of mayors. Landrieu gained national prominence for his decision to

remove four Confederate statues from New Orleans. This earned him the prestigious John F.

Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. He authored a book about his personal journey confronting

racism, which became a New York Times bestseller, “In the Shadow of Statues: A White

Southerner Confronts History." He currently serves as Senior Advisor to the President and White

House Infrastructure Coordinator. He is also responsible for coordinating the implementation of

the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. He and his wife Cheryl live in New Orleans, where

they raised their five children.

THE HON. MARC MORIAL - New Orleans native, Marc Morial, has been described as one of

the few national leaders to possess “street smarts” and boardroom savvy.” He graduated from the

University of Pennsylvania with a degree in Economics and African American Studies. Then,

after earning a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center, he began an active, high-

profile law practice in New Orleans. Morial served as a State Senator from 1992-1994.

Following in his father's footsteps, he successfully ran for Mayor of New Orleans in 1994 and

served until 2002. Morial currently serves as the President and CEO of the National Urban

League, the nation's largest historic civil rights and advocacy organization. He hosts a weekly

syndicated show and authors a weekly opinion column which reaches hundreds of thousands. As

a published author, his leadership book, “Gumbo Coalition: 10 Leadership Lessons that Help

You Inspire, Unite and Achieve,” has been widely acclaimed. He has received numerous awards

and honors including being named by Ebony magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential Black

Americans; named by Non-Profit Times as one of the Top 50 Non-Profit Leaders; one of the Top

100 Most Influential Black Lawyers in America; and has been inducted into the Civil Rights

Walk of Fame in Atlanta, GA.

THE HON. BEN W. NEVERS - Ben W. Nevers is a 1964 graduate of Bogalusa High School, a

1969 graduate of Louisiana Technical College - Sullivan Campus and a Veteran of the United

States Army. In 1980, he founded Nevers Electrical Contracting Company. His was elected to

the Bogalusa School Board in 1987 and served until 1994. Nevers was elected to a term in the

Louisiana House of Representatives from 1999-2003. He then served in the State Senate, District

12, from 2004-2016. As a Senator, he chaired many committees, including Labor and Industrial

Relations, Education, Judiciary, and the Child Poverty Commission. In 2016, Nevers was chosen

by Governor John Bel Edwards to lead his gubernatorial campaign transition team, and then to

serve as his Chief of Staff. He served in this position until February 2017. He has since chaired

the Governor's Advisory Council on Rural Revitalization and Southeast Louisiana Pregnancy

Center for Woman and Children. Among his numerous awards are Southeastern Louisiana

University Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degree, induction into the AFL-CIO Hall of Fame

and the Russell B. Long Legislative Service Award. He is a member of many associations

including the American Legion, Gideons International and the Louisiana Cattlemen's

Association. He and his wife, Ann, reside in Bogalusa and have three children.

THE HON. SUZANNE HAIK TERRELL - Suzanne Haik Terrell attended Newcomb College

of Tulane University where she received her Bachelor of Arts. She operated a medical equipment

business for several years and then earned her Juris Doctorate from Loyola University New

Orleans College of Law. During private law practice she focused on business litigation and

administrative law. At this time, she became active in the political arena, volunteering to lobby

on medical issues in the legislature. Living in New Orleans in 1993 with her husband, Dr. W.

Lee Terrell, and their three children, Ms. Terrell won a term on the New Orleans City Council.

She won a second term with no opposition. During her tenure, she helped establish “Teen

Court,” a program for juvenile first offenders, and she was instrumental in creating a robust

government access channel known as New Orleans Access Television. In 1999 Suzanne Terrell

became the first Republican woman to be elected to statewide office in Louisiana. As the

Commissioner of Elections, her hard work saw the Louisiana election system recognized as the

Best Voter Registration System in the South and, indeed, in the whole country. Terrell

streamlined department operations and advocated for the merging of her office with the

Secretary of State. She was successful in this endeavor, and when her term ended in 2004, the

office of Commissioner of Elections was abolished in Louisiana. Terrell was then appointed

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development by President George W.

Bush during the aftermath of Katrina. She later became Senior Advisor and Director of Outreach

for the Department of Commerce, EDA and served as the agency's Capitol Hill liaison. During

her time there, she worked on efforts to revitalize the Gulf Coast. After this service, Terrell

returned to New Orleans and launched the law firm of Hangartner, Rydberg and Terrell. She

continues to practice law and serve her community through non-profit endeavors.

MR. ROGER F. VILLERE - When volunteerism is discussed in Louisiana, the name of Roger

F. Villere, Jr. of Metairie must be near the top of the list. His commitment to family and

community are unmatched. Villere attended the University of New Orleans, is a fellow of the

Loyola Institute of Politics and the UNO Government Leadership Institute. He established

Villere's Florist in 1969 and has earned many awards and designed for a number of high-profile

persons. He has played a leadership role and continues leading in the local business community.

Villere has served in community positions including the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce, the

Small Business Council, the East Jefferson Council of the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the American Academy of Florists and the Louisiana State Florist Association. Villere has also

been a part of and led numerous community programs and organizations. Among them are the

Alliance for Good Government, Jaycees International, the LaFreniere Kiwanis Club, the East

Jefferson Hospital Foundation and the Women's New Life Center. His service extends beyond

his community. Villere was elected Chairman of the Republican Party of Louisiana in 2004,

serving through 2018. During his tenure as Chairman, the Republican Party of Louisiana made

historic gains across the board. He has attended five Republican National Conventions and has

served as an RNC Committeeman and a member of the Rules Committee. In 2011 he was elected

to the RNC Executive Committee and served as Vice Chairman in 2012. Villere has received

numerous awards, including a Presidential Appointment and a number of Congressional

Appointments. He and his wife, Donna, have three sons, four granddaughters and three great-

grandchildren. He will leave a legacy of selfless service.

THE BAGNERIS FAMILY - Louisianans are well aware of two brothers who worked from

humble beginnings to earn positions of prominence in government. Those would be former

Governor and U.S. Senator Huey P. Long and former Governor and U.S. Congressman Earl K.

Long. A modern family in Louisiana politics with three hard-working brothers will be honored

with the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame 2023 Political Family of Officeholders Award. The

brothers, John, Dennis and Michael Bagneris, have made their marks. John Bagneris worked his

way through Southern University and became chairman of Tremé Community Improvement

Association which sought better housing and rent control for neighborhood residents. He was

elected State Representative for District 100 in 2016. Dennis Bagneris, a graduate of Xavier

University and Tulane Law School, was elected District 3 state senator in 1984 and ran

unopposed three more times before winning the Louisiana Fourth District Court of Appeal

judgeship in 1999. Support of state teachers was a benchmark of his tenure. Michael Bagneris, a

graduate of Yale University and Tulane Law School, served as executive counsel to New

Orleans Mayor Ernest “Dutch” Morial. He would later be elected judge in Orleans Parish Civil

District Court where he served 20 years and has remained active as a judicial educator through

lectures and committee posts. The Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame is proud to

honor this family.

The Board of the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame wishes to thank the following

sponsors for their support of the 2023 Political Hall of Fame Induction Banquet: The Haynie

Family Foundation, The Times Picayune/NOLA.com and The Terrell Family. Other event

sponsors are listed at lapolmushof.com.

Original source can be found here.