Bill Signing Event Held at Pennington Biomedical Research Center

June 27, 2025 · Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry hosted a bill signing event at Pennington Biomedical Research Center on Friday, June 27, joined by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The event drew approximately 200 attendees, including legislators and community members, with supporters standing on stage alongside the Governor, Secretary, and bill sponsor Senator Patrick McMath.

“Today at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, we celebrated a momentous occasion as Governor Jeff Landry signed Senator Patrick McMath's MAHA bill into law,” said Dr. John Kirwan, Pennington Biomedical Executive Director. “The presence of HHS Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., underscored the importance of this event. Our state-funded Greaux Healthy program is helping to drive a Healthy Louisiana. Being part of this transformative milestone in healthcare and research was an honor.”

Prior to the bull signing, representative from Pennington Biomedical shared information about the Greaux Healthy initiative, a public service initiative designed to help improve Louisiana kids’ health at every age. Developed in partnership with the State of Louisiana, Greaux Healthy implements 35 years of Pennington Biomedical research and discoveries to inform tools, resources and programing for children, parents, healthcare providers and educators throughout the state.

Following the Greaux Healthy presentation, Gov. Landy signed Senate Bill 14, along with Sec. Kennedy and Sen. McMath.

“This fight is about our kids, our health, and the future of our state,” said Gov. Landry. “We’re done letting chemicals, corporations, and career bureaucrats decide what’s best for our families. In Louisiana, we’re putting parents back in charge, putting real food back on the table, and giving people the tools to take their health into their own hands. I would like to thank Secretary Kennedy and Senator McMath for their hard work to make our country and Louisiana healthy.”

After the event, attendees were able to shop for local produce at the Red Stick Farmer’s Market, which was set up inside the C. B. Pennington Jr. Conference Center. Both Gov. Landry and Sec. Kennedy visited with vendors and farmers at the market.

Speaking at the bill signing, Sec. Kennedy said, "Gov. Landry often talks about bringing the American Dream to Louisiana. A healthy person has 1,000 dreams; a sick person only has one. "

The event garnered national attention and was picked up by media outlets across Louisiana and beyond. The following is a snapshot of the media coverage for the event:

For more information contact:

Joe Coussan, Media Relations Manager, joe.coussan@pbrc.edu, 225-763-3049 or Ernie Ballard, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing, ernie.ballard@pbrc.edu, 225-263-2677.

About the Pennington Biomedical Research Center

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is at the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the triggers of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. Pennington Biomedical has the vision to lead the world in promoting metabolic health and eliminating metabolic disease through scientific discoveries that create solutions from cells to society. The center conducts basic, clinical, and population research, and is a campus in the LSU System.

The research enterprise at Pennington Biomedical includes over 600 employees within a network of 44 clinics and research laboratories, and 16 highly specialized core service facilities. Its scientists and physician/scientists are supported by research trainees, lab technicians, nurses, dietitians, and other support personnel. Pennington Biomedical is a globally recognized state-of-the-art research institution in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more information, see www.pbrc.edu.

Pennington Biomedical Research Center
6400 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808