I was born very poor with a brother and five sisters. My mother and father struggled to send us to school because of the high cost of school books. There finally came a time when they could no longer afford to buy books for 7 children. We children were told that we could no longer attend school.

That very same year, Governor Long persuaded the Louisiana Legislature to fund school books for all children attending public schools. Not only did that mean that my brother and sisters and I could finish our education but also thousands of other children could as well. My family never forgot Huey Long and became long time political supporters of the Long family.”

— Victor Bussie, President Emeritus, Louisiana AFL-CIO

When you talk about politics in rural Louisiana, Huey Long’s name always comes up. He was a master communicator with the people in rural Louisiana.

When he visited the Washington Parish areas and delivered his famous stump speeches, I am told he would look out into the crowd of people and pick out some of the children who might be in attendance. He would then say to their parents, “Take them down to the local clothing store and buy them a new set of clothes.” He would add, “Tell the merchant to charge them to Old Huey.”

Some of the people who remember those meetings have told me that the clothes purchased and given to them by Huey Long was the first store-bought clothing they ever owned, since almost all children’s clothes were hand made from old flour sacks.

Huey Long's acts of kindness made him very popular. He had a special place in his heart for children, the poor, and others who were less fortunate than many of that day. He improved our great state in ways we enjoy even today.”

— Sen. Ben W. Nevers, Sr., Louisiana State Senator, District 12

As a child growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana, I was always fascinated with history. Living in a state steeped in the history of oppressing my ancestors, I was moved when our Louisiana History class studied Huey P. Long.

Huey Long’s belief and work to embrace “all men” is a timeless message that all Americans and humans can learn from. His basic premise that every man is a king and every man deserves at least a homestead was a message of justice. Imagine if we put into action just this basic belief. Just think, the homeless problem could be eradicated.

All of us are made in the Image of God. All deserve basic human comforts. This man was feared by those who wanted to continue oppression and practice injustice. He was probably killed because his message if put into action would establish a colorblind America truly practicing “justice for all.”

Huey Long was a man before his time and a man whose message is timeless. It is not too late for us to hear this call for justice to roll down like waters.”

— Lydia Cincore Templeton, Esq., Founder and CEO, Children Youth and Family Collaborative, Los Angeles, CA