WASHINGTON — On Thursday, Speaker Johnson hosted the "Spirit of Louisiana" Community Awards Ceremony in Bossier City, honoring Congressional Commendation recipients from Louisiana’s Fourth Congressional District.
“This is something we look forward to every year, the Spirit of Louisiana Awards. And so, we gave it to some very fitting recipients as you saw, people who have contributed so much to their local communities and to the state and the nation in so many ways,” Speaker Johnson said. "And one of the great joys of being the Representative for Louisiana's Fourth Congressional District is that we have the greatest people in the world, so many worthy recipients of awards like this.”
2026 Congressional Commendation Recipients:
Allen
Barbara Savant: dedicated to helping local businesses and driving economic development as the Executive Director of the Kinder Chamber of Commerce
Beauregard
Patty Wilkin: established and leads the Sew Caring Prayer Quilt Ministry to provide hand-sewn prayer quilts to those in need
Harold Lester: 99-year-old U.S. Navy WWII veteran
Bossier
Clerk of Court Jill Sessions and the Clerk’s Office: dedication to assisting citizens with passport applications and renewals through passport fair coordinated with Speaker Johnson’s district office
Sheriff Julian Whittington: recognition of Speaker Johnson’s recent appointment of Sheriff Whittington to the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
Bienville
Sheriff John Ballance: longest serving Sheriff in north Louisiana
Rodney Warren: long-time Secretary/Treasurer for Bienville Parish Police Jury and service at Bienville Parish GOSHEP for 26 years
Caddo
Mike and Mark Mangham: dedication to capturing and preserving history of northwest Louisiana as the TwinBlends History Hunters of NW Louisiana
Pam Mackey, Latonia Elias, Brooke Broadway, and Janet Ward of the Shreveport Fire Department: dedication to the Department and community and encouraging young women who are considering a career in fire service
Grant Muslow: first-place winner at the 2026 Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge with the creation of “FarmMind,” which helps farmers manage operations more efficiently
Dr. Jerome Cox: dedication to ministry and active role in the north Louisiana community
Rev. Lane Moore: service to churches in the Northwest Louisiana Baptist Association
Calcasieu
Sheriff Stitch Guillory, Chief Deputy Gene Pittman, and the Southwest Louisiana Human Trafficking Task Force: dedication to eliminating human trafficking, ensuring justice to perpetrators, and providing support to victims
Claiborne
Rosalind Penegar: dedication to service as a Claiborne Parish Domestic Abuse Resistance Team (DART) advocate
DeSoto
Sheriff Jayson Richardson: recognition of Speaker Johnson’s recent appointment of Sheriff Richardson to the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board
Evangeline
Connie Landreneau and New Life Pregnancy Center: dedication to preserving the sanctity of life and supporting mothers and children in need
Grant
Gene Wesley Tiley: 100-year-old WWII veteran
Lincoln
Ernie Stevens: Vietnam veteran and service to the North Louisiana Military Museum in Ruston
Ouachita
Amanda Edge: dedication to economic development and growth of northeast Louisiana
Rapides
Troy Toney: annually depicts Jesus in Easter productions and devotion to bringing the message of Jesus to life
Sabine
Don Burkett: Louisiana’s longest-serving District Attorney of over 40 years and founder of Taylor House Shelter, which supports victims of domestic violence
Union
Robert Allen: Farmerville volunteer fireman of 58 years and his service to the community
Vernon
Sheriff Sam Craft: 40 years of service in law enforcement
Becky Curl: dedication to supporting soldiers and families at Fort Polk alongside her husband Major General Jason Curl, Commanding General of JRTC and Fort Polk
Webster
Cindy Richardson Madden: active community member, Gold Star Mom, member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and established a recycle flag box in her yard
Winn
Shaun and Lacy Garner: created the after-school program, “Tuesday School,” to serve students as Pastors of First Assembly Church in Winnfield
