Jimmy D. Long

Jimmy Dale Long (October 6, 1931 – August 9, 2016) was an American politician. He served as a Democratic member of the Louisiana House of Representatives.^[2]

Long was born in Winn Parish, Louisiana.^[1] His relatives included George S. Long, Huey Long, Earl Long, Russell B. Long, Gillis William Long and Speedy Long. He was the brother of Gerald Long.^[3][4]

Long graduated from Winnfield High School and then spent seven years in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1955.^[1] Upon completion of navy service, he attended Northwestern State University.^[1] He later helped to acquire funds for building and modernization work at the university,^[1] and for infrastructure projects in his district.^[1] He was a business owner and also a cowman.^[1]

In 1968 Long was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, serving until 2000.^[2] Long was a member of the House Appropriations Committee and Joint Legislative Budget Committee.^[1] He took a particular interest in education, being instrumental in the establishment of Louisiana Scholars' College at Northwestern University,^[1] and the public residential high school Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts.^[1]

Long died in August 2016 of traffic collision in the afternoon at 1:00 pm next to his home in Natchitoches, Louisiana, at the age of 84.^[5][6][7] He is buried at the American Cemetery in Natchitoches, Louisiana. Long was named by The Shreveport Times as one of the "100 Most Influential People of the Century".^[1] In 2000 he was honored in the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame.^[8]