Washington, DC – Congressman William J. Jefferson (D-La.) is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Press Secretary.  He has also hired four new staffers who will work  in his Washington Office to serve the people of Louisiana’s 2nd District.

Remi Braden-Cooper, a native New Orleanian who has been on Jefferson’s Washington staff for the past two years, has been named his new Press Secretary.  Mrs. Cooper was originally hired as a Legislative Correspondent and most recently served as a Legislative Assistant.  She was a News Producer for 8 years in New Orleans, first working for WWL-TV and later WVUE-TV.  She also produced newscasts for Houston television station KRIV, before working as a Writer/Producer for CNBC’s U.S. network bureau in London, England. 

E. Brandon Garrett, a LaPlace, Louisiana native, joins the Jefferson team as a Legislative Assistant.  He will work with Jefferson in the areas of Tax, Budget, Banking and Financial Services and Immigration.  Garrett was a former Credit Manager for Wells Fargo in Arlington.  He also worked as a Legal Assistant at Orrick, Herrington, Sutcliffe, LLP in New York.  Garrett received a BA in International Studies and Economics from Texas A&M University. 

Ebony Simpson is a new Legislative Correspondent.  Ms. Simpson was an office intern in the fall of 2005 and returns after earning a BA in Political Science from Prairie View A&M University.
Stefanie Rhodes is another former intern of Jefferson’s Washington office.  Ms.  Rhodes returns taking the title of Staff Assistant after graduating from Louisiana State University last May. 
Ryan Jenkins has been hired as a second Staff Assistant.  Jenkins recently earned a  degree from the University of Mary Washington where he majored in Political Science and Psychology. 

Jefferson’s staff also includes Deputy Chief of Staff Roberta Hopkins, Senior Policy Adviser Angelle Kwemo and Legislative Assistants Jack Swetland and Terry Richards. 

“My Washington Office consists of some experienced staffers who are experts in their legislative areas, and of new staffers who are eager to help push fresh ideas through this newly elected Congress.  I am greatly encouraged by the enthusiasm in this office,” Jefferson said.