Gillis Long | |
|---|---|
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| Chair of theHouse Democratic Caucus | |
| In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1985 | |
| Leader | Tip O'Neill |
| Preceded by | Tom Foley |
| Succeeded by | Dick Gephardt |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromLouisiana's8th district | |
| In office January 3, 1973 – January 20, 1985 | |
| Preceded by | Speedy Long |
| Succeeded by | Catherine Small Long |
| In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1965 | |
| Preceded by | Harold B. McSween |
| Succeeded by | Speedy Long |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Gillis William Long (1923-05-04)May 4, 1923 |
| Died | January 20, 1985(1985-01-20) (aged 61) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Alexandria National Cemetery |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Long family |
| 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 Purple Heart Campaign medal (5) |
Gillis William Long (May 4, 1923 – January 20, 1985) was an American politician and lawyer who served as aU.S. representative fromLouisiana. He was a member of theLong family and cousin ofSpeedy Long.
Long was born on May 4, 1923, inWinnfield, Louisiana, to Floyd Harrison Long and Birdie Long. His family moved to Pineville when he was a teenager and he attendedBolton High School. When his cousinEarl Long was running for Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana, Gillis gave campaign speeches for him at his school.[1]
In 1939, Long attendedLouisiana 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 theNuremberg trials before being discharged as a captain in 1947. Later that year he marriedCatherine Small, and four years later graduated from college with a bachelor's and aJuris Doctor degree.[2]
In 1962, he was elected to the House of Representatives fromLouisiana's 8th congressional district and was selected to be the assistant Democratic Whip.[3] In 1963, he entered the Democratic primary for theLouisiana 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 openlysegregationist cousinSpeedy Long.[5] In 1971, he entered the Democratic primary forthe gubernatorial race again, but again came in third place, this time 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. Long generally held political positions more liberal than that of most White Southern Democrats. During the1984 presidential primaries, Long endorsed former vice presidentWalter Mondale.[6]
On January 20, 1985, Long died from heart failure in Washington, D.C., and a moment of silence was given for him atRonald Reagan's second presidential inauguration.[7] His wife Cathy wonthe special election to succeed him and served one term. In 1994 he was inducted into theLouisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame.[8]
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromLouisiana's 8th congressional district 1963–1965 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromLouisiana's 8th congressional district 1973–1985 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Chair of theHouse Democratic Caucus 1981–1985 | Succeeded by |
| New office | Chair of the House Democratic Party Effectiveness Committee 1981–1984 | Position abolished |
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