Senator John Breaux
The 2024 Life Achievement Award in Honor of Roddy Richard recognizes Senator John Breaux's long and distinguished career in the U.S. Congress, representing the interests of Louisianians. Known as a centrist and a bridge between parties, as well as an expert in health care and energy law, Senator Breaux is not only our Life Achievement Award winner but also a cherished friend of the Louisiana Youth Seminar (LYS).
Born in Crowley, Louisiana, Senator Breaux is a proud native of the Acadiana area. He graduated from what is now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1964, the same year he married his wife, Lois. He earned his law degree from Louisiana State University in 1967 and then began his storied political career.
In 1972, at the age of 28, he was elected to the House of Representatives, becoming the youngest member of Congress at the time. He represented Louisiana's 7th District for 14 years before being elected to the United States Senate in 1986. In the Senate, he was a widely recognized bipartisan leader. In 1993, his Democratic colleagues appointed him Chief Deputy Whip, a position he held until his retirement.
Throughout his 32-year tenure, Senator Breaux was seen as a centrist in a divided Congress and was often sought out by Republican leaders for support on key votes. Conversely, he also served as a Democratic emissary, working to gather moderate Republican votes for Democratic proposals.
He held numerous key Senate committee positions and was instrumental in passing the 1996 welfare and health insurance reform bills. He was the main architect of the $400 billion Medicare Prescription Drug Modernization Act. As a senior member of the Finance Committee, Senator Breaux served as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Social Security and Family Policy. He also held positions on the Subcommittee on Health Care and the Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight. Additionally, he served on the Senate Commerce, Science, and Technology Committee, where he was a leader on telecommunications and transportation issues, as well as fisheries and ocean policy.
After retiring, he became a Distinguished Professor at Louisiana State University and a Principal and Director for Crossroads Strategies. He also led the "Ceasefire on Health Care" campaign, advocating for solutions for the uninsured.
Senator Breaux is a member of the Louisiana Athletics Hall of Fame, a LPB Louisiana Legend, and recipient of the US Senate’s Golden Gavel Award and the Panetta Institute Jefferson-Lincoln Award.
As a member of the LYS Hall of Fame and the LYS ‘71 Club, Senator Breaux has supported LYS as a donor, guest speaker, and advocate. In 1973, he encouraged delegates to get involved, saying, "The greatest reason that you should be involved is that we don’t have a perfect system, that we have room for improvement. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something, especially because you are too young."
Whether 50 years ago or today, Senator Breaux knows that there are young leaders, like himself, capable and ready to make a difference. It is our hope that the 2024 delegation recognizes Senator Breaux’s tireless advocacy for Louisiana’s people, his example of service, and his ability to be a centrist leader in themselves.