Hunt Downer to Head Veterans' Office in Louisiana {Blanco Appoints former GOP Rival}

Baton Rouge, LA, Morning Advocate ^ | 08-28-04 | Not given

[Theodore R.]

Downer to head vets' office

Ex-lawmaker helped elevate department

Capitol news bureau

Former state Rep. Hunt Downer was named secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs on Friday, an office he helped elevate to Cabinet-level status. Downer was picked for the job by Gov. Kathleen Blanco, who won the race for governor last year over a field that included Downer, a Republican and former House member from Houma.

Downer finished sixth in the October primary.

Downer, a brigadier general and assistant adjutant general in the Louisiana National Guard, will be the first secretary of the department. The office was elevated during the 2003 legislative session through a bill Downer sponsored in the House.

"Little did I know," Downer quipped Friday. He said he was an advocate for veterans issues during his 28 years in the House and felt the heavy role of Louisiana soldiers in recent wars boosted the need for a higher-profile veterans department.

"It would ensure that the voice of the veterans would be heard at the table with the governor," he said.

Downer, 58, will be paid about $110,000 a year, the same salary he is making as assistant adjutant general.

"I have known Gen. Downer for many years, and I have extraordinary confidence in him," Blanco said in a prepared statement.

"He has directed many legislative initiatives to support Louisiana's guard, reserve, active duty and retired military personnel," the governor said.

The department oversees veterans affairs statewide, including veterans homes. Downer will advise Blanco and serve as the point person on veterans issues that involve the federal government.

Downer, who is from Houma, served seven terms in the Louisiana House. He was speaker from 1996-2000, one of the top posts in state government.

Downer served in Operation Desert Shield/Storm in 1991. He has been assistant adjutant general since 2001, which means he is the key assistant to the adjutant general for Army National Guard issues.