The Government & Public Affairs Division met on Tuesday morning for their regular monthly meeting. They spoke to three candidates running for elected office who requested an audience with the group. Sheriff Mitch Woods and his opponent, Constable Joe Stevenson, as well as Civil District Court Judge candidate Rick Williams.

A farewell luncheon with over 220 in attendance were on hand Tuesday when Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison was honored at the Holiday Inn Plaza. Resolutions were presented by the Sabine Neches Navigation District, The Cities of Port Arthur and Orange, and the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission. Mayor Becky Ames read a proclamation declaring Tuesday as Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison Day in Beaumont. Regina Rogers introduced the Senator on behalf of all Southeast Texans. It was a great tribute.

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Susan Combs visited Beaumont on Wednesday for a Budget Town Hall meeting coordinated by the Government Affairs Division. She had great things to say about her visit.

Almost 300 attended the 40th anniversary celebration of Leadership Beaumont on Thursday. Former Mayor Evelyn Lord and Slate Babineaux served as the emcees for a tribute which depicted the rich history and legacy of the program. Ken Bartos, the 2010 Distinguished Alumni recipient presented the 2011 award to Sally Walden Broussard. Shirley Bartos was recognized for her 32-years of service as the Executive Director of Leadership Beaumont.

Jim Rich led a panel discussion at the Southeast Texas Coastal Resilience Forum held on Thursday at the John Gray Library. The forum was sponsored by Entergy-Texas. Community viewpoints on the subject of resilience to greater storm and hazard losses was expressed by J. Greg Gentry, Vice President and General manager, Valero Port Arthur Refinery, Carl Thibodeaux, Orange County Judge, and Bobby Fillyaw, Executive Director, Orange County Economic Development Corp.. Other speakers included State Representative Allan Ritter, Dr. Ray Perryman, Judge Jeff Branick, Joe Domino, Dr. Jimmy Simmons, and more. Making our area more resistant to significant storm damage was the theme of the forum.

Over 620 joined the festivities for the annual Lobsterfest Dinner held at the Beaumont Civic Center on Friday evening. A delicious meal courtesy of Cooks 2 Dozen and the Munro's Cooking Team highlighted an evening of networking and entertainment.            

Wednesday, April 18 will be our April board meeting and mid-year report session, sponsored by Baptist Beaumont Hospitals. Each division will give a presentation on the progress of their 2012 programs of work.  

We are always looking for motivated individuals to participate on the Membership committee. Please contact Dale at 838-6581 if you are interested.