Representative Willard delivers farewell address, recalls legislative priorities

Representative Willard delivered a prepared farewell address on the House floor on Oct. 27, 2025, thanking family and staff and reflecting on his time in the Louisiana legislature.

Willard opened by acknowledging family members in the gallery and his legislative staff, saying he wrote the speech in order to be mindful of time. He recounted early memories in the legislature, including his first committee experience and lessons on building relationships across the aisle. He thanked specific colleagues and staffers who helped him learn the legislative process and singled out policy areas he worked on, including maternal health and consumer-friendly homeowners insurance reforms.

He described running a maternal-health bill "virtually every year" of his tenure after research showed a link between improved birthing outcomes and better access to doulas and midwives. He also credited work on homeowners insurance, blight enforcement and the creation of security districts as local measures that touched residents' daily lives. Willard said he learned that being "a jack of all trades" had value and that bringing "lived experiences into policy making is just as vital." He added, "I believe Louisiana's best days are ahead of us, and I believe that the success of the city of New Orleans is central to that promise." The transcript records that Willard said he is leaving the legislature to serve in city government.

The remarks were offered as a personal-privilege address; no formal floor action or votes were associated with the speech in the provided excerpt.