Rep. Juan LaFonta's roots in his community run deep. The second child of George LaFonta, a bricklayer, and Joanne Bagneris LaFonta, a public school teacher, Juan worked his way through college. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of New Orleans before acquiring his law degree from Southern University.

A lifelong resident of District 96, Juan has always believed in the values of family and community. He still lives on the same street where he grew up, taking every opportunity to maintain his connections to the people he represents.

In 2005, Juan was elected to represent the people of District 96 - including the Bywater, Treme, Gentilly, the French Quarter and Faubourg Marigny - in a special election. He was reelected in 2007 without opposition, and was the first freshman legislator ever elected Chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, a position he held until July 2008.

Juan is committed to economic development in his community, working to ease the tax burden on local businesses to help create jobs. He is a believer in accessible healthcare, championing the effort to rebuild Charity Hospital and pushing legislation to expand healthcare coverage and requirements on insurance companies. He serves on the House Commerce, Insurance and Retirement Committees, and on the House Special Committee on Disaster Planning, Crisis Management, Recovery and Long-Term Revitalization, formed after Hurricane Katrina devastated the area.

A member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, Juan also serves as an adjunct professor at Dillard University and as a mentor in the Tom Watson Memorial Teaching Ministry.

He is very proud of his family, his heritage, and the district he serves.


COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
Commerce
Insurance
Retirement

CAUCUS MEMBERSHIP
Democratic Caucus
Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus
Orleans Delegation


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