Lafourche Gazette Original Article Can Be Viewed Here
The 2022 Blue Boot Rodeo was an unquestioned success with large crowds turning out to Grand Isle in droves to support the rodeo's worthwhile cause.
But arguably the biggest win of the 2022 event didn't happen in Grand Isle, but happened a few weeks ago in Baton Rouge in the form of legislation that could keep children safer when on the water.
The Riley Bourgeois Bill (Act 722) passed through the 2022 Legislative Session and was signed into law earlier this summer by Governor John Bel Edwards.
The bill will mandate Water Safety Education for all Louisiana public school students – something that will almost certainly keep children safer when on the water.
The bill was crafted by local State Rep. Joseph Orgeron, and it is now law.
With the law now on the books, the Blue Boot team says they're grateful for the continued support they've received toward promoting water safety education and drowning prevention.
"Our committee and our volunteers couldn't be more proud of Darby and Nicole for their efforts," said Corey Hebert with the Blue Boot Foundation. "And of course, we thank Rep. Joe Orgeron who made it all happen. We were told up front that it takes maybe 2 or 3 tries to get a bill passed. ... But we got it on the first try, and we couldn't be happier about it. This is going to provide water safety awareness, training and curriculum in all schools K-12 in Louisiana starting next year. It's huge for us. It's step one for us on a huge journey we're on."
In the lead-up to the bill's passage, Darby and Nicole Bourgeois went to Baton Rouge to meet with state lawmakers to share their story.
In talking to lawmakers, Hebert said that many did not realize that water safety awareness was not part of the curriculum in Louisiana, which led to momentum growing for the bill's passage.
Hebert said he believes the bill was able to go through on the first try because people around our area and now across the state are seeing first-hand the hard work the Foundation is doing to make a difference.
The rodeos are amazing with family fun and thousands of dollars raised.
But the root of the efforts come around the year with rodeo proceeds being used to buy life rafts on Grand Isle beach, to fund scholarships for local children, to provide life jackets for local children and any and all efforts to help promote the cause.
Hebert said the 2022 Rodeo was arguably the best one yet with the largest sponsorship numbers, the most fish ever weighed and huge crowds that turned out for the weekend.
The 2023 rodeo will take place on July 6-8 on Grand Isle.
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