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Mayor-President Melvin “Kip” Holden was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term of office on October 4, 2008,
carrying every precinct in East Baton Rouge Parish for the first time in history. His first term in office was marked by unprecedented growth and progress for the City-Parish, including the City of Baton Rouge earning its highest national rankings for job productivity and favorable business climate.
In 2011, in the midst of a global recession, Baton Rouge
continues to be near the top of national rankings for the most stable local
economy, best job market, best site location for new business and most
attractive market for young adults.
With a focus on public safety as a top priority for his administration, Holden presides over a team of first responders who have all achieved the highest national rating for professionalism in their respective areas of service:
Baton Rouge Police Department, Baton Rouge Fire Department, EMS and the East Baton Rouge Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Mayor Holden’s Green Light Plan, a program of street and road
improvements approved by voters in 2005, has completed 13 projects aimed at
improving traffic flow and 16 sidewalk and beautification projects in record
time.
Much of the success of his first term in office can be traced
to the foundation laid by a diverse team of over 100 community leaders, citizens
and university students Mayor Holden assembled immediately after his election in
2004 to form his “Green Light Baton Rouge Citizens Council” to help develop the
“Framework for Progress”, a planning document which serves as the basis of his
administration’s goal to make Baton Rouge America’s next great city.
Recognized nationally for his leadership during the aftermath
of Hurricane Katrina, Mayor Holden managed a city-parish that became a place of
refuge for over 200,000 evacuees from South Louisiana in less than one week,
resulting in the White House commending Baton Rouge for its compassion and
outstanding response. During this time, the Mayor also helped stand up the local
governments from four devastated parishes by providing support and facilities
for them to resume operations.
At a time when Louisiana was reeling from the devastation of
two hurricanes in one year, Mayor Holden took his city’s story to Wall Street
and bond rating agencies upgraded bonds for East Baton Rouge Parish based on his
administration’s sound management policies, saving the taxpayers millions of
dollars in interest.
In 2008, he led his community through Hurricane Gustav, which
devastated Baton Rouge and required a different, but equally important response
when the city received the worst wind damage in memory and it took three weeks
for power companies to restore service to all residents.
Active in the National League of Cities, Mayor Holden
launched a successful “Healthy BR Program” in partnership with the Healthy
Cities Initiative, to provide resources and information for improving nutrition
and lifestyles for better health.
Prior to 2004, he had achieved a 20-year distinguished career
in public service, elected Mayor-President by a broad, diverse base of support
throughout the parish to become the first African-American Mayor-President in
parish history on January 1, 2005.
Upon his inauguration to his first term, he embarked on an
ambitious journey to revitalize Downtown Baton Rouge, create and arts and
entertainment district and market Baton Rouge to the film and video industry. He
has the city moving on a riverfront master plan, with construction of a new,
high-tech Town Square underway to provide more venues for arts and cultural
activities. In 2006, Mayor Holden launched a new Economic Development Initiative
for East Baton Rouge Parish that includes a partnership with the Baton Rouge
Chamber of Commerce to market the parish, the opening of two Minority Business
Opportunity Centers to help small businesses participate in Louisiana’s economic
recovery, a micro-loan program and Bankers’ Roundtable to assist small business
development.
Throughout his career, Mayor Holden has worked to improve
education and has been honored for his accomplishments. As Mayor-President, he
has delivered new volunteer programs and technology partnerships for East Baton
Rouge Parish Public Schools, including the largest software donation in East
Baton Rouge Parish history, a $307 million grant from UGS that will provide 3-D
imaging software for classes in math, science and the arts for students from the
third grade through high school to help prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow.
Mayor Holden is a graduate of both Baton Rouge universities,
earning a B.A. in Journalism from LSU, a Masters degree in Journalism from
Southern University, a Juris Doctorate from Southern University School of Law
and an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Public Policy from Southern University. He
was also invited to study at the Oxford University Round Table in England. Mayor
Holden was recently honored by both universities by being inducted into the LSU
Alumni Hall of Distinction, the LSU Manship School of Communications Hall of
Fame and the Southern University Law Center Hall of Fame.
With experience on the Metro Council and as a member of the
Louisiana House of Representatives and Senate, Mayor Holden has extensive
knowledge of East Baton Rouge Parish government.
Born in New Orleans on August 12, 1952, Mayor Holden is
married to Lois Stevenson Holden and is the father of five children, Melvin, II;
Angela; Monique; Myron and Brian Michael. He is a member of Greater King David
Baptist Church.
Education
Oxford University Round Table, Oxford, England, 2002
National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1998 Graduate
Southern University School of Law, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Juris Doctorate, 1985
Southern University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Master of Arts, Journalism, 1982
Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Bachelors of Arts, Journalism, 1974 1974
Scotlandville Senior High School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 1970 Graduate
Professional Experience
Mayor-President, City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge, current
National League of Cities Board Member, current
National League of Cities Council for Youth, Education and Families, current member, Chair 2007
Louisiana State Senator, District 15
Law Firm: Melvin "Kip" Holden & Associates
Southern University School of Law, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Adjunct Professor of Law, 1991-present
Louisiana House of Representatives State Representative, District 63, 1988-2001
Councilman, Baton Rouge Metro Council District 2, 1984-1988
Louisiana Department of Labor Office of Workers’ Compensation, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Former Law Clerk
Baton Rouge City Police, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Former Public Information Officer
United States Census Bureau, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Public Relations Specialist
WBRZ Channel 2, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Reporter, 1978-1979
WWL Radio, New Orleans, Louisiana, Reporter, 1977-1978
WXOK Radio, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, News Director, 1975-1977
Academic Awards and Honors
LSU Alumni Hall of Distinction
LSU Manship School of Mass Communications Hall of Fame
Southern University Law Center Hall of Fame
Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame
Louisiana Political Hall of Fame
Louisiana 4-H Hall of Fame
2011 Blue Cross Blue Shield Living Legend
2010 Novogradac Community Development Foundation Public Executive of the Year Award
2010 People’s Health Illustrious LSU Alumnus
2009 Partner America Small Business Advocate Award
2009 Patron of Landscape Architecture
International Union of Police Associations Meritorious Service Award
2008 Lambda Alpha Chapter, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Citizen of the Year Award
2008 Centikor Community Award
2007 Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd Meritorious Service Award
2007 Brotherhood/Sisterhood Award
2007 Baton Rouge Growth Coalition, Quality of Life Award for Outstanding Contributions, Community and Public Service
2007 Military Order of the Purple Heart Distinguished Service Award
2007 BREC Trailblazer Award
2007 Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Dedication Award
2007 International Black Broadcasters Association Leadership Award
2006 American Planning Association, Louisiana Chapter, Distinguished Leadership Award
2006 Award Winner, Academic Distinction Fund
2006 UGS Innovative Leadership Award
2006 National Conference of Black Mayors Valiant Award for Balanced Government
2006 225 Magazine Best of Awards, Best Politician
Network 2005 Legend Award
2005 Blues Foundation Slim Harpo Award, Blues Ambassador
Southeastern University, James H. Morrison Lecturer
Participant Leadership Seminar Harrison Institute for Public Law Georgetown University Law Center
Sierra Club, selected "Outstanding Legislator"
Association of Retarded Citizens of Louisiana, "2003 Legislator of the Year Award"
"Louisiana Community & Technical College System Award,"2003
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., "2003 Meritorious Service Award"
Community Against Drugs & Violence, Inc., 2003 Award
Southern University, "2004 Outstanding Service Award Track & Field"
Scotlandville High School Alumni Association, "2002 Dedicated Elected Official Award"
“Fleur de Lis Leadership Award” in Health Care 2002
Louisiana Federation of Teachers, "2004 Friend of Education Award"
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency & Office of Environmental Justice, "2002 National Environmental Justice Advisory Council Service Award"
Louisiana Federation of Teachers, "2003 Senator of the Year Award"
Greater Baton Rouge Pan, Hellenic Council, "2003 Award"
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Gulf Coast Region, "2004 Distinguished Service Award"
Louisiana School of Psychological Association, "2003 Friend of School Psychology Award"
Economic Development Partnership, "2003 Economic Development Champion Award"
Louisiana Association of Educators, selected "Outstanding Legislator"
Selected Lecturer on environmental matters facing local, state and federal governments for numerous forums
"Brown Pelican Award," as one of the Environmental Legislators of Louisiana
Southern University Law Center, "Outstanding Alumni"
Southern University, "Outstanding Alumni of the Century"
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