CenLamar

Former Louisiana Governor Dave Treen of Metairie died this morning at East Jefferson Medical Center of complications related to a respiratory illness. Treen (pictured 2nd from right above with fellow Governors Foster, Roemer, and Edwards) was the first Republican elected to the governorship in Louisiana since Reconstruction.

Treen, originally of Baton Rouge, was a graduate of Tulane University and Tulane Law School. He was a veteran of the US Air Force and practiced law in the New Orleans area. In 1972 he was elected to Congress, representing Louisiana’s 3rd District throughout the 70’s.

Treen pushed for legislation to improve states’ rights in negotiating offshore drilling agreements and leases in the Gulf of Mexico as well as extending SBA assistance to traditional Louisiana small businessmen such as Fishermen. As a member of the Armed Services Committee Treen helped steer federal dollars to Louisiana working with other congressmen to greatly expand Barksdale AFB in Bossier, Bell Chaise in New Orleans, and England AFB here in Alexandria.