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RED STICK, The. (AP) – Even after Hurricane Katrina ended her political career and as cancer depleted her strength, former Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco has consistently called her life of "charmed". The first woman elected governor of the state again refused to sink into disappointment or disaster.
Blanco called it an "honor and blessing" to lead Louisiana through the fury and destruction of Katrina. As she knew that her end was close to an incurable melanoma, Blanco described her last months as "a wonderful time for me".
A pioneer in politics in Louisiana, Blanco died in a hospice in Lafayette. She was 76 years old.
"It was a woman of grace, faith and hope. She left an eternal mark on all those who knew her, because she was generous and unconditional in her love, warm in her arms and truly interested in the well-being of others, "said the family of Blanco in a statement issued by Gov. John Bel Edwards & # 39; Office.
Democrat, Blanco held the highest elected position in Louisiana from 2004 to 2008 and held various positions in state government offices for more than two decades. But his legacy lies in Katrina, the devastating hurricane of August 2005 that killed more than 1,400 people in Louisiana, displaced hundreds of thousands of people and flooded 80% of New Orleans.
Historians will continue to debate whether a governor would have been prepared for such a disaster, but Blanco blamed heavily after images of thousands of people stuck on roofs and overpasses were broadcast around the world, and the government has been slow to respond to despair.
Blanco has been criticized as unprepared, outdated and undecided. Although she has fought successfully for billions of federal aid, the recovery that she has guided has been laborious.
Blanco said Louisiana 's suffering had been compounded by a Republican – led White House that was desperate to blame someone else for failing to respond to the disaster.
"I just thought I could scream louder than the noise around me, but eventually I could not. There was just too much pain, "she said once.
Despite criticism, Blanco said it was an "honor and blessing" to lead Louisiana through Katrina and the hurricane Rita's follow-up, which destroyed southwestern Louisiana a month later.
"Katrina certainly left her mark and Rita left her mark on Louisiana. It has made us tougher, though. It made us stronger, "said the former governor in July at the approach of death.
Blanco had a rare eye cancer that she had successfully fought in 2011, but then came back and spread to her liver. In December 2017, she announced that she was being treated for incurable melanoma.
Edwards, a Blanco-sponsored Democrat, ordered flags in state buildings around Louisiana and crewed them half-staff at Blanco's funeral scheduled for Saturday. A public service for the former governor will be held Thursday at the Capitol of Louisiana.
"It drove Louisiana through one of our darkest hours, when hurricanes and the failure of the federal dike system devastated much of our state," Edwards said in a statement. . "I hope history will remember Governor Blanco as a tireless advocate for Louisiana, who fought so hard for the rebuilding of our state."
Until his campaign for the governorship, Blanco had spent much of his political career in state politics, without making any fuss.
Former teacher of secondary education in the small Cajun village of Coteau, Blanco has embarked on politics as a consultant with her husband, Raymond, on local cutting issues before spending 24 years at a elective office. His first stop, in 1984, was a seat at the State House. Then came positions in the state utility regulation board and as lieutenant governor.
Prior to Blanco's election as governor, political insiders had often described him as gentle, honest and hardworking, but lacking in substance. In 2003, she had knocked out many political forecasters by defeating Republican Bobby Jindal. In a last memorable debate, questioned about a decisive moment in her life, she told in tears the death of her son Ben, 19 years old, in 1997, in a work accident.
Jindal later succeeded Blanco as governor after Katrina ceased plans to run for a second term.
"Kathleen loved Louisiana and served the state for decades. She has faced all the struggles, including the last one, with good humor and a strong will, "Jindal said on Twitter.
More than a decade after the storms, Blanco's views are generally more comprehensive.
She receives praise for leading a corrupt government and defending education. She helped raise the salaries of public school teachers from kindergarten to Grade 12 and injected hundreds of millions of dollars into colleges. She was applauded for her successful campaign for a state takeover of troubled public schools in New Orleans after Katrina.
After announcing his diagnosis, Blanco offered no incrimination or anxiety. She recounted that the last days were surrounded by family and friends, described old political opponents with "a chance to come to terms" and thanked the residents of Louisiana for "their constant love".
"Even though she knew her name would forever be tied to hurricanes Katrina and Rita, she finally wished that we remember her for her faith in God, her commitment to the family and her love of Louisiana. "said the statement of his family.
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