It was a proud day to be a Broussard in New Iberia Tuesday as city leadership celebrated the history of two Broussards who were pivotal in the history of the city.

Plaques for Robert Feligny Broussard and Edwin Sidney Broussard were unveiled in Bouligny Plaza near the Veterans Memorial Building. The brothers both served as U.S. Senators representing the state of Louisiana.

Robert Broussard served in the position from March 1897 to March 1912, and then was elected to serve again until his death in 1918.

New Iberia City Councilman David Broussard, who was instrumental to the construction of the plaques, said Robert Broussard helped to secure the Intracoastal Waterway System in Louisiana, which aided greatly in the development of the state.

“How many ports use the intracoastal? Not just in Iberia Parish, but in all of Louisiana. He did a lot,” Broussard said.

The other plaque is for Edwin Broussard, the grandfather of Councilman David Broussard, who served as a senator from March 1921 to March 1933. According to the plaque, Edwin served as a progressive Democrat and was recognized for his support of sugar tariffs, the elimination of prohibition and support of the Federal Flood Control System

In his early years he served as a principal in the Iberia Parish School System and volunteered in 1898 to serve in Cuba with Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War.

“A lot of banks in New Iberia survived good under the leadership of President Teddy Roosevelt,” David Broussard said.

Mayor Freddie DeCourt, who said he has Broussard lineage on his grandmother’s side, said both men were worthy to be honored for their contributions to the city and state.

“We’re going to put these little plaques throughout the city to honor history,” DeCourt said. “These are our first and I thought they should go by the Veteran’s Memorial because Edwin was a Rough Rider.”

Other Broussard’s living in the city were in attendance for the ceremony, as the accomplishments of Robert and Edwin were celebrated.

DeCourt also praised Councilman David Broussard, who led the way in securing the plaques and is a descendent of the two men. Broussard, who only has three more months of serving as a city councilman, had done both men proud by DeCourt’s estimation.

“I’ve worked with David the last eight years and we got a lot done,” DeCourt said. “He’s been a hell of a partner. He has a lot of enthusiasm, he’s a good representative and a good carryover of these gentlemen’s legacies.”