State Rep. Phillip DeVillier elected House Speaker

By: HARLAN KIRGAN
LSN Editor

BATON ROUGE — State Rep. Phillip DeVillier was sworn in as Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives on Monday in an inauguration ceremony in the House chambers.
DeVillier, 47, a Republican, is in his third and final term representing District 41, which includes Eunice, Church Point, Rayne, Iota, Basile, and much of rural Acadia Parish north of Interstate 10.
“Over the past several months I’ve done a lot of reflection wondering why I ran for office,” he said after becoming speaker.
On Saturday, he had breakfast with Democrat Rep. Dustin Miller, of Opelousas.
Miller was with his son, Carson, and DeVillier said that helped him remember why he decided to run for election for the first time.
“I ran because I had a hope for my children. I was concerned with my friends leaving the state, problems of crime, education, our infrastructure, tax policies, our economy and to be a voice for those who did not have one,” he said
Miller also was a candidate for state representative in the 2015 election and told a story about DeVillier, who he calls “The Man From Eunice.”
“He said to the Eunice News about his first day, “I really enjoyed meeting everybody and seeing how the state is run. I just want to be part of the solution”
Miller added, 'The man from Eunice said we will do what we have to do to work together and move this state in a positive direction and he has been a man of his word.”
DeVillier was nominated for the speaker’s position by Rep. Julie Emerson, District 39, of Carencro, and Miller. Emerson also was elected to the House in 2015.
Emerson said DeVillier “...is one of the hardest working members in this body. He is always spending extra time trying to dig through and understand capital outlay budgets, the retirement system ...”
She also said, “I believe Phillip is listening to the membership of this body.”
Miller said, “My friend from District 41 ... has proven to me that he can be a leader among leaders as speaker of this House.”
DeVillier, he said, “...demonstrates he came here to do great things, not just things.”
In his prepared remarks, DeVillier stated, “As we get older we often become content. I have always wondered why someone stops dreaming. I find that children will share with almost anyone their hopes and dreams of becoming a doctor, lawyer, policeman some even dream of becoming a public servant. But as they get older they often lose focus, stop dreaming and become content.
“Let us not be content!
“The people of our great state have waited long enough.
“With all the challenges Louisiana faces, we are left with the choice. A choice to act and change. A choice to help our districts and state. A choice to keep the fire in our hearts with the hope in our vision. Let us not fall short from being content. By trusting the Lord’s timing, working together, planning, and good communication we will be successful and when we are successful, Louisiana succeeds.”
DeVillier is married to the former Lisa Savoie, and they are raising their three children, Savannah, Jillian, and Cooper in Eunice.