Hall of Fame inducts 9

By Eugene Sutherland/The Town Talk

WINNFIELD - There was more living political history at the annual Louisiana Political Hall of Fame Museum than elsewhere in Louisiana on Saturday.

In-between studying photos and memorabilia of former Govs. Huey P. "Kingfish" Long and Jimmie Davis, visitors posed for pictures with honoree Edmund Reggie, who at 24, became the youngest judge ever in America in 1950.

Dudley A. Guglielmo Sr., 94, joined eight other political hall inductees in an official ceremony held at the First United Methodist Church's Family Center.

"I'm just very honored to even be here," said Guglielmo, a 42-year state employee. "I had no idea they had such a place. This goes back to Huey P. Long."

Guglielmo should know. He is the oldest living legislator to have served under Huey P. Long. Declining to talk much about his own career, he instead offered his view of Long's.

"He was the best campaigner I ever saw," Guglielmo said. "He would get out in those trucks with the horns and get his message to people. Today, politics has changed. They do it on TV."

Other honorees included:

• William "Billy" Boles, who at 24, became one of nation's youngest senators;
  
  
• State Rep. Charlie DeWitt, a 24-year House veteran;
  
  
• Doris Lindsey Holland-Rhodes, became the first woman legislator in 1936;
  
  
• Moon Landrieu, a former New Orleans mayor and appeals court judge;
  
  
• Edgar G. "Sonny" Mouton Jr. served in the state Senate (1966-80) and House of Representatives (1964-65);
  
  
• Virginia K. Shehee, a former senator and current member of the LSU Board of Supervisors; and
  
  
• Jack Wardlaw who directed Times-Picayune and State-Item government coverage for 41 years.
  
  

For his part, Reggie, who received a special visit by his son-in-law, U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., seemed sincerely humbled by the occasion.

"It's a real honor to be in the Hall of Fame," Reggie said. "This Hall is non-partisan, meaning you can be independent, Democrat or Republican. It doesn't matter. I'd just like people to look at my career and say, 'He tried to help us all do a little better.'"

DeWitt is particularly pleased at his central Louisiana-friendly accomplishments in office, notably a four-year LSU-Alexandria, but also the state TOPS program.

"To walk in here and see all these great people is outstanding," DeWitt said. "I'd like to think people would feel we made a difference, especially in Rapides Parish, but also the rest of the district, but not without help. With LSUA, it was so many people, but especially the students who made it happen."

Shehee, a Shreveport businesswoman, said she had an other-worldly feeling as family members looked on.

"This is wonderful," Shehee said. "I'm on cloud nine. The response I've gotten here has been terrific. People have asked for autographs. ... The work I've done in the community and with nonprofits, that's what's important."