Louise Lucas

Louise Lucas

Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 18th district
Assumed office
January 8, 1992
Preceded by Howard P. Anderson
Personal details
Born (1944-01-22) January 22, 1944
Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Residence Portsmouth, Virginia
Profession Educator
Committees Local Government (chair); Courts of Justice; Education and Health; Finance; Rules
Religion African Methodist Episcopal

L. Louise Lucas is a Democratic member of the Senate of Virginia, representing the 18th District since 1992. She was defeated by Republican Randy Forbes in the 2001 special election to replace U.S. Congressman Norman Sisisky, who had died in office. In 2008 two companies which she controls applied for Empowerment Zone bonds to build a conference center in Portsmouth, VA. The request for approval was denied by city council on a 3-2 vote with two council members who had a financial interest in the project abstaining. The companies, still controlled by Lucas, later filed a $97.7 million suit against the City of Portsmouth (home of most of her constituents) claiming the companies were discriminated against because they were led and funded mostly by African-Americans. The suit also named those Council members who voted against the original proposal and the CIty Attorney. Council later reconsidered the decision, but nonetheless still denied funding. The suit was dropped after the second denial.[1]

L. Louise Lucas is a Portsmouth native and product of the Portsmouth Public School System. She is President/CEO of Lucas Lodge, Lucas Transportation, Portsmouth Day Support Program and Southside Direct Care Provider organizations operating in The Lucas Professional Center located in Portsmouth. Economic development is Senator Lucas’ passion and she remains unwavering in her determination to build a hotel.

Senator Lucas began her federal career in 1967 as an Apprentice Shipfitter at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) and became the first Woman Shipfitter in July 1971. She also served in the following positions at NNSY: Engineering Draftsman and Naval Architect Technician. She was the Command Federal Women’s Program Manager at the Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (CINCLANTFLT) and Equal Employment Manager at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP). Senator Lucas began her public sector career path as Interim Executive Director of the Southeastern Tidewater Opportunity Project (STOP) in 1985 and was appointed Executive Director in 1986 where she served until 1992.

Graduating with honors, Senator Lucas received her Bachelor of Science Degree (Cum Laude) in Vocational-Industrial Education from Norfolk State University in 1976 and her Master of Arts Degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Urban Affairs with a concentration in Human Resources Planning and Administration also from Norfolk State University in 1982. Senator Lucas served in the position of Congressional Liaison for Sponsored Program at Old Dominion University from 1992 – 1994. She also served as Assistant Professor, Department of Academic Affairs and Special Assistant to the Vice President for University Advancement at Norfolk State University from 1994 – 1998.

Senator L. Louise Lucas was elected to the Virginia General Assembly in November 1991 and continues to serve the citizens of the 18th Senatorial District. She has a seat on the following Senate Committees: Education & Health, Courts of Justice, Finance, Local Government and Rules. She is member of the Finance Sub-committee on Claims, member, Finance Sub-committee on Economic Development/Natural Resources, member, Finance Sub-Committee on Public Safety, member, Education Sub-committee on Health Licensing. Senator Lucas was Chairwoman of the Senate Local Government and a former member of Committees on Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources; Rehabilitation and Social Services; Transportation; former Chairwoman, Education and Health Special Sub-committee on Public Smoking Legislation; Sub-committee on Mental Health Legislation; Special Sub-committee on Immigration. She serves as the Chairwoman of Brown v. Board of Education Scholarship Committee in Virginia.

Senator Lucas serves on the Governor’s Commission on Government Reform and Restructuring, Governor’s Commission on State Funding for Public School Construction and the Governor’s Commission on Information Technology and was appointed in 2010 to the Commission on Electric Utility Regulation and in 2012 appointed to the Federal Action Contingency Trust Fund and in 2013 to the Medicaid Innovation and Reform Commission. She is also an active member of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus and elected Vice-Chair of Outreach with the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Senator Lucas was previously elected in June 1984 to serve the citizens of Portsmouth on the Portsmouth City Council where she was the top vote getter for that election, and the first African American woman to serve as Councilwoman. Senator L. Louise Lucas has been involved in social, civic and political activities most of her adult life and has served in elective office for 30 years.

Senator Lucas has served on various community boards, commissions, civic and service organizations such as: Golden Heritage Member and Past President NAACP; Charter Member, Martin Luther King Leadership Steering Committee; Member Norfolk State University Alumni Association. Senator Lucas is also a member of the following organizations: Golden Life Member, Delta Sigma Theta sorority; Member, Portsmouth Chapter Links, Inc; Member, Brighton Light Chapter 118 Order of Eastern Star, Prince Hall Affiliation of Virginia. Senator Lucas has received countless awards and honors at the local, state and national level.

Senator Lucas is the mother of two daughters, Lisa L. Lucas-Burke and Theresa Lynn Lucas-Lamb who partner with her in various business entities and one son, the late Jeffery Lee Lucas, Sr. She has five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

References

  1. ↑ Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, December 19, 2008

External links

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