Kennedy celebrates LSU’s academic excellence: “It truly is an extraordinary university”

Watch Kennedy's comments here.

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today praised Louisiana State University for its contributions to Louisiana and the rest of the country.

Key excerpts of the speech are below:

"No matter what you read about LSU-and I know there's been a lot in the news about our athletic program, and frankly, also about our academics-I just want you to remember this, and I know I'm biased: It truly is an extraordinary university. It's an extraordinary university of student athletes . . . but it's an extraordinary university in the collection of academics and academia, as well."

. . .

"[Governor] Buddy [Roemer] used to say to me all the time, 'Kennedy, here's what you've got to understand about Louisiana.' He said, 'The key to Louisiana's future is not who the governor is.' He would say, 'Kennedy, the key to Louisiana's future is not who the U.S. Senator is. The key to Louisiana's future is not the unemployment rate. We talk about it, and we worry about it, but that's not the key to our future. The key to Louisiana is not the price of oil, as important as that is to an oil state. The key to Louisiana,' Gov. Roemer would say, 'is education.' And education in Louisiana is Louisiana State University.

"So, to our media: I believe in the First Amendment right. You can say what you want. I value opinions, but opinions are like elbows: everyone has one. You're entitled to share it, but I want you to think about and, hopefully, learn more about the LSU I know, which enjoys excellence not only in athletics, but excellence in academics."

Watch Kennedy's speech here.