Copyright 2005 Associated Press
All Rights Reserved
The Associated Press State & Local Wire
May 18, 2005, Wednesday, BC cycle
SECTION: State and Regional
LENGTH: 301 words
DATELINE: BATON ROUGE, La.

State Education Superintendent Cecil Picard, who has held the post since 1996, has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease.

The announcement was made Wednesday by the state education department, which said Picard will continue with his duties.

"I am heartened by the strong support I received from Gov. Blanco and members of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and I pledge to them and the people of this state that I will continue to focus on doing what's best for the children of Louisiana despite this diagnosis," Picard said in a statement issued by the education department.

Lou Gehrig's disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is an often-fatal illness that attacks nerves that control muscles. It affects an estimated 30,000 people in the United States, and about 5,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. One of its most famous victims was baseball great Lou Gehrig, who died of it in 1941 at age 37.

"Cecil has done a great job and I know he will continue to work hard," Gov. Kathleen Blanco said in a statement. "For Cecil, this is yet another challenge that he will diligently fight, keeping in mind what's best for him and his family. I thank God every day that Cecil is in charge of our public schools because I know what he's done and that he will continue doing what is in the best interest of our children."

Picard, a former state senator and school principal and teacher, was chosen by BESE, with the backing of then-Gov. Mike Foster, for the superintendent's job.

BESE president Glenny Lee Buquet said the board wants him to remain superintendent while undergoing treatment.

"The board realizes what an asset Cecil has been to public education in our state, and we believe he has much, much more to offer," Buquet said in a statement.