ERATH – Former attorney general Richard Ieyoub is now part of the long list of honorable members of the Living Legends, which is an Acadian Museum of Erath induction to recognize the people who have helped define the cajun culture of Louisiana.
Since 1997, the Acadian Museum has inducted members into the Living Legends by way of a nomination. One of the museum’s leaders, Warren Perrin, nominated Ieyoub for his involvement in the Louisiana cajun community due to his Lebanese culture, which has very close ties to France.
Attorney General Richard Ieyoub
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“I’ve always been very respectful of and have always had an interest in the cajun community,” Ieyoub told The Louisiana Record. “Their culture is a vital part of our state’s history. They add the uniqueness to our state from food to dance and culture.”
Ieyoub, attorney general of Louisiana from 1992 to 2004, said he is very honored to be inducted into the Order of Living Legends, and will continue to support Louisiana’s cajun community. He was one of the main people who supported the resolution to establish a francophone chapter in the Louisiana Bar Association.
“I foster the teaching of French in our schools to maintain the French language,” Ieyoub said. “I’m very interested in history, especially the history as it relates to Lebanon, the place of my ancestry. It dates back to the Crusades.”
He is also intrigued by the amount of festivities held in Louisiana by the cajun community while they celebrate “the joy of life.”
“They are a very loving and spontaneous people,” he said. “It’s just a joy to be around them and partake in their celebration.”
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Acadian Museum in Erath, Louisiana. The museum is supported by more than 50 community volunteers.
Perrin says Ieyoub was inducted into Living Legends because of his tireless support of many francophone activities throughout the state.
“In May 2001, acting as a delegate of that association, he along with federal judge Jay Zainy, led a delegation of several judges and lawyers representing Louisiana at the Quebec Bar Association convention,” Perrin told The Louisiana Record. “Further, Ieyoub helped to pass several important resolutions of the state legislature, including Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 159, which urged the Queen of England to approve the request for the petition of all Acadians seeking an apology for the Acadian Deportation.”
Queen Elizabeth II signed the Royal Proclamation in 2003 after the Senate Concurrent No. 159 was pushed forward.
“He also supported Concurrent Resolution No. 30 of the Special Session of 2002 urging all citizens to support the celebration of the Congrès mondial acadien 2004, as well as encouraging all Louisiana lawyers, judges and professors to participate in all of the events sponsored by the Francophone Section of the Louisiana State Bar Association in conjunction with the celebration of the Louisiana Purchase Bicentennial in 2003,” Perrin said.
Ieyoub was the Calcasieu Parish district attorney in Lake Charles, Louisiana, from 1984 to 1992. He also finished in third place in the nonpartisan blanket primary for the U.S. Senate in 1996 and finished third for the Louisiana governorship in 2003.