ABSTRACT

INTERVIEWEE NAME: Jimmy LongCOLLECTION: 4700.1182

IDENTIFICATION: Gillis Long=s cousin and member of the Louisiana Legislature

Gillis Long=s political and social farsightedness; Gillis=s support for integration and stacking the House Rules Committee to insure the passage of civil rights legislation; Governor Jimmie Davis and segregation; liberalism of Earl Long; assisting Gillis in his 1963 run for governor; reasons for Speedy Long=s election to Congress in 1964; accusations by Speedy and other politicians that Gillis was a AWashington lawyer@ and not a Louisianian; Gillis=s reelection to Congress in 1972; reasons for the success of the civil rights movement; Gillis=s rapid decision-making ability; fishing with Gillis; impact of the Long name on Gillis=s political career; Gillis=s childhood poverty; Gillis=s commitment to helping the poor; the Long family=s support for John McKeithen; 1963 gubernatorial election; reapportionment of the 8^th Congressional District; efficiency of Gillis=s congressional staff; Gillis=s charisma; importance of education to the Long family; Gillis=s role in the Democratic Party on the national level; Gillis=s heart problems; accessibility of Gillis to his constituents; impact of religion on Gillis=s campaigns; Gillis=s political weaknesses; outlines Gillis=s strengths and weaknesses in his run for governor against Edwin Edwards and Bennett Johnston; Gillis=s commitment to integration; Gillis=s unwavering support for the Democratic Party