Representative's trek nearing Baton Rouge
by Adam Kealoha Causey - Shreveport Times (excerpt)

BLANKS — Rep. Patrick Williams is honing in on the Capitol.

"We can see the light at the end of the tunnel," Williams said Friday as he walked briskly along U.S. Highway 190 in this Pointe Coupee Parish community about three miles west of Livonia. He had about 30 miles left in his hike.

The Shreveport Democrat says he has averaged about 22 miles a day since he left his hometown on foot bound for Baton Rouge.

That's four miles more than he expected when he started the trek March 20 in an effort to change views on education, autism and childhood obesity.

Besides keeping him in good shape, the 260-plus-mile jaunt has helped Williams connect with residents along the way. He traveled on Highways 1 and 71 before hitting 190.