Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal

In a state beset with political intrigue and still fighting back from hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Louisiana inaugurated Bobby Jindal as its 55th governor on Monday, Jan. 14, 2008.

Jindal, a Republican, promised ethics reform as his first priority with education close behind. As the nation’s youngest sitting governor at 36, Jindal brings youthful enthusiasm to his position as the state’s first non-white governor since Reconstruction.

In his 15-minute inauguration speech, Jindal referred to his vision as a “New Louisiana”. He said he wants to make the state a haven for economic leaders and others willing to take risks and put their dreams into action.

Born in Baton Rouge, La., of parents from India, Jindal attended local public schools before receiving his undergraduate degree from Brown University. He became a Rhodes Scholar and quickly began a career path that has taken him to Louisiana’s highest office.

In 1996, then-Gov. Mike Foster appointed the 25-year-old Jindal as secretary of Louisiana’s Department of Health and Hospitals. Jindal transformed an agency awash in bankruptcy into one that produced three years of surpluses.

He became the youngest president of the University of Louisiana system in 1999 and served in that post until becoming the nation’s Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation of Health and Human Services.

President Bush had nominated Jindal for the job, and he later received unanimous bipartisan approval before assuming control in July of 1991. He remained there until February of 2003 when he began his failed run for Louisiana governor.

After his defeat, he moved to Kenner and won election to the United States House of Representatives from Louisiana’s 1st congressional district. He was elected freshman class president.

A suburb of New Orleans, Kenner was among a host of southeast cities ravaged by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 29, 2005. Two weeks later, Hurricane Rita blasted southwest Louisiana.

Jindal has vowed to continue the recovery work he began as a U.S. Representative, as well as to fight for funds to support coastal restoration.

Jindal takes over a state whose colorful, but troubled past, often has seen its political leaders run afoul of the law. In turn, Louisiana ranks near the bottom nationally in a host of areas that signify the strength of a state.

Jindal, with the help of his youthful team, has vowed to change the culture of the state.

Raised as a Hindu, Jindal later converted to Catholicism. He and his wife, Supriya, have three children.

Jindal helped deliver his third baby, Slade Ryan, before an ambulance could arrive at their home in the early morning hours of Aug. 16, 2006.

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds