The Lake Charles City Council convened on November 19, 2025, to conduct routine business, approve minutes, and debate critical infrastructure grants. The meeting began with a ceremonial presentation honoring the 70th anniversary of the Lake Charles Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Council members voted to defer several agenda items, including the I-10 bridge project discussion, to allow for further deliberation. Significant time was dedicated to the introduction and final action of an ordinance securing a $500,000 state appropriation for the Pre-En Lake Road Pedestrian Bridge, with council members unanimously supporting the safety improvements.
I'll go each last time. Yeah. No. I I'll think about it. Yeah, I will. I mean, there's probably stuff I can eliminate. There may be stuff I can eliminate. I haven't seen Stanley in the United States. Stanley Caller in a while. I saw him for Friday and he and Henry. He and Rock Hardy were at uh shops in Abbey Right. I had a game and you ran. So the crew in the playoffs, we always leave early. I think always most time we already go eat as a fruit. Yeah. Uh what you're wrong. I don't know. Yeah. That's awesome. Congratulations. Heavenly Father, we come before you right now with grateful hearts. The chance to serve the citizens of Lake Charles. Grant us wisdom to make decisions that are fair. Please grant us compassion to listen to serve with open minds. Bless our city, its people and those who work each day to make it better. Before we get started today, Mayor, we have a presentation by the lovely ladies of Delta Sigma Theta. Good evening, Councilman. Good evening, everyone. Good evening. Today our uh our council is definitely in the red today. But I want to take this time because it's a very special occasion as we get to honor our sisters of uh Delta Sigma Theta Sorority for their 70th anniversary. Uh I especially take a special uh pleasure in announcing this because my daughter just pledged this sorority and she was initiated on Friday. And I'm joined here by Miss Zelda Fry, the president of the Lake Charles Alumni Chapter. So I wanted to present a proclamation because 70 years is a long time uh for to be around, especially with the work that you've done in our community and uh uh nationwide, because not only is Delta local, but Delta has changed a lot of lives around the world. So I want to honor you with this proclamation from the Office of Mayor, Lake Charles, Louisiana, a proclamation to the Lake Charles Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theater Sorority Incorporated, 70 years of sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action, a legacy of impact. Whereas Delta Sigma Theater Sorority Incorporated, founded in 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University, has remained steadfast in its commitment to sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action. And whereas, following in the footsteps of these founders, nine visionary women from the Lake Charles area, under the guidance of Southwest Regional Director Astor Lee Henderson and National President Dorothy Irene Height were granted a charter on January 29th, 1955, establishing the Epsilon Ada Sigma chapter, later renamed the Lake Charles Alumni Chapter, and whereas from its inception, the chapter demonstrated a deep commitment to civil rights and community betterment, supporting the NAACP's legal efforts against racial discrimination and servicemen of the Korean conflict and founding the enduring Del Spreets Club to enrich the lives of young African American women. And whereas for 70 years, the chapter has advanced Delta's five-point programmatic thrust through scholarships, voter registration, health initiatives, youth mentorship, and partnerships with organizations such as the NAACP, YMCA, Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity, and the American Red Cross, including the construction of the House that Delta built in Lake Charles. And whereas the chapter has launched impactful youth programs, including the Botillion, Dr. Betty Shabaz Delta Academy, Delta Gyms, and Embody, providing mentorship, education, and empowerment opportunities to young men and women, while sponsoring college tours that have led to scholarship attainment at historically black colleges and universities. And whereas the chapter has received regional, state, and five-star recognition for its mothers, M O T H E R S Health Initiative, its support of families impacted by HIV and AIDS, contribution to clean water projects in Africa, and participation in the Southwest Louisiana Black Heritage Festival. And guys have been busy. Whereas continuing its legacy of impact, the chapter actively promotes healthy lifestyles, supports the arts through the Arts and Letters Program, strengthens financial literacy through its financial fortitude initiative, and remains a leader in political awareness through civic forums and community engagement. And now therefore, be it resolved that I, Marshall J. Simeon Jr., mayor of the city of Lake Charles, in the sovereign state of Louisiana, do hereby honor the Lake Charles Alumni Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated for 70 years of distinguished service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to uplifting the community through sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action. You witness here of this day, November 19, 2025, Marshall Simeon Jr. Mayor, the City of Lake Charles. Congratulations. Good afternoon. Good evening, everyone.