Calling it a tremendous opportunity for Shreveport-Bossier and northwest Louisiana, Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover met on Thursday September 25, 2008 with the Chairman of the powerful United States Armed Services Committee, Representative Isaac “Ike” Skelton, D-Missouri.

Despite the obvious and constant demand of Chairman Skelton’s time and attention on Capitol Hill, Mayoral Assistant Rick Seaton, a longtime family friend of the Missouri Representative, arranged the meeting with Mayor Glover.

“This almost never happens,” says Seaton. “But we wanted to take advantage of the opportunity.”

The robust discussion touched on the future of Barksdale Air Force Base, Shreveport’s partnership with LSU-Shreveport to develop a Cyber Operations Security Institute and Barksdale’s role in the Global Deterrence Force.

“I’m extremely grateful to Chairman Skelton for his time and the opportunity to open a dialogue, develop a connection and share priorities for Shreveport and Barksdale Air Force Base,” says Glover.

“I look forward to working with our neighbors in Bossier and our Congressional delegation to further strengthen the ties between Washington decision makers and our defense industry partners.”