Washington, Feb. 18 -- Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr issued the following news release:
Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (D-LA) released the following statement on the passing of Dr. Norman C. Francis.
"My heart is truly broken.
"Dr. Norman C. Francis was my mentor, a servant leader, and a giant whose steady hand shaped not only an institution but my family's destiny. His leadership at Xavier University of Louisiana was historic. He broke barriers as the first Black and first lay president of the university, and only the second African American to lead a Catholic university in the United States. For forty-seven years, he guided Xavier with principled, unwavering strength, becoming the longest-serving university president in the ...