Gillis William Long
Gillis William Long | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Winnfield, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | January 20, 1985 (aged 61) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, politician |
| Known for | U.S. House of Representatives member from Louisiana; Chair of the House Democratic Caucus (1981–1984) |
Gillis William Long (May 4, 1923 – January 20, 1985) was an American attorney and politician who represented Louisiana in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a prominent figure within the Long family, he was related to fellow politician Speedy Long as a cousin.
Early life
Long was born in Winnfield, Louisiana, and relocated to Pineville during his teenage years, where he attended Bolton High School. His initial political activities included supporting his cousin Earl Long in a campaign for Lieutenant Governor.
He began his legal studies at Louisiana State University in 1939 but paused his education to join the U.S. Army in 1941. Throughout World War II, he was awarded a Bronze Star, five campaign stars, and a Purple Heart. Notably, he participated in the Nuremberg trials before leaving military service as a captain in 1947. That same year, he married Catherine Small. Four years later, he earned both his bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor, paving the way for his future legal and political endeavors.
Political career
In 1962, Long secured election to the House of Representatives representing Louisiana's 8th congressional district and served as assistant Democratic Whip. He ran in the Democratic primary for the governorship in 1963, finishing third with 15% of the vote. The following year, he sought reelection to Congress but was defeated by his segregationist cousin Speedy Long. In 1971, he once again competed in the Democratic primary for governor in the 1972 Louisiana gubernatorial election, placing third with 13%.
After Speedy Long retired from Congress, Gillis Long regained his previous seat and was subsequently re-elected six times. Between 1981 and 1984, he held the position of Chair of the House Democratic Caucus. His political views were generally more progressive compared to many White Southern Democrats. During the 1984 presidential primaries, he publicly supported former Vice President Walter Mondale.
Long passed away from heart failure on January 20, 1985, in Washington, D.C. A moment of silence was observed during Ronald Reagan's second inauguration to honor him. Following his death, his wife Cathy won the special election to fill his seat and served one term. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in 1994.