Gillis William Long

Gillis William Long (May 4, 1923 – January 20, 1985) was an American politician and lawyer who served as a U.S. Representative from Louisiana. He was a member of the Long family and was the nephew of former governors Huey Long and Earl Long and the cousin of Senator Russell B. Long.

Gillis William Long
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 8th district
In office January 3, 1973 – January 20, 1985
Preceded by	Speedy O. Long
Succeeded by	Catherine Small Long
In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1965
Preceded by	Harold B. McSween
Succeeded by	Speedy O. Long
Personal details
Born	(1923-05-04)May 4, 1923 Winnfield, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	January 20, 1985(1985-01-20) (aged 61) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting place	Alexandria National Cemetery, Pineville, Louisiana
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Catherine Small Long (1924-2019)
Children	2
Education	Louisiana State University (BA, JD)
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1941-1947
Rank	Captain
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart Campaign medal (5)

Early life

Long was born on May 4, 1923 in Winnfield, Louisiana, to Floyd Harrison Long and Birdie Long. His family moved to Pineville when he was a teenager and he attended Bolton High School. When his cousin Earl Long was running for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana Gillis gave campaign speeches for him at his school.[1]

In 1939 Long attended Louisiana State University for law, but was interrupted when he enlisted into the army in 1941 as a private. During World War Two he received a bronze star, five campaign stars, and the Purple Heart and served at the Nuremberg trials before being discharged as a captain in 1947. Later that year he married Catherine Small and four years later graduated from college with a bachelor and law degree.[2]

Political career

In 1962 he was elected to the House of Representatives from Louisiana's eighth congressional district and was selected to be the assistant Democratic Whip.[3] In 1963 he entered the Democratic primary for the gubernatorial race, but came in third place with 15% of the vote.[4] In 1964 he attempted to win reelection, but was defeated by his more openly segregationist cousin Speedy Long.[5] In 1971 he entered the Democratic primary for the gubernatorial race again, but came in third place again with 13% of the vote.

After his cousin Speedy Long retired from office, Gillis Long decided to run for the House seat he had once held. He won and was re-elected six additional times. He rose to the position of Chair of the House Democratic Caucus, which he held from 1981 to 1984. During the 1984 presidential primaries Long endorsed former vice president Walter Mondale.[6]

On January 20, 1985 Long died from heart failure in Washington, D.C and a moment of silence was given for him at Ronald Reagan's second presidential inauguration.[7] His wife Cathy won the special election to succeed him and served one term. In 1994 he was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame.[8]

See also

• List of United States Congress members who died in office (1950–99)

References

1. "Gillis Long Throwing Out Political Rules in Campaign". The Shreveport Journal. 22 November 1963. p. 32. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "Gilis: No Long Has Lost a Bid". Daily World. 28 July 1963. p. 5. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "The Making Of A". The Morning News. 24 November 1963. p. 2. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Another Long". The Des Moines Register. 26 August 1963. p. 14. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Cousin Speedy beats Rep. Long". The Morning News. 27 July 1964. p. 2. Archived from the original on 25 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Congressman Gillis W. Long Dies At 61". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 22 January 1985. p. 16. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Ronald Reagan: Second Inaugural Address". 20 January 1985. Archived from the original on 7 August 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
8. "Hall of Fame Inductees". 3 July 2009. Archived from the original on 3 July 2009.

External links

• United States Congress. "Gillis William Long (id: L000417)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Appearances on C-SPAN

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Harold B. McSween	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 8th congressional district 1963–1965	Succeeded by Speedy O. Long
Preceded by Speedy O. Long	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 8th congressional district 1973–1985	Succeeded by Catherine Small Long