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Gardner said that the demotion "turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to Bussie and the labor movement in Louisiana ... He was extremely effective as the Louisiana leader of organized labor and brought a level of influence for labor in Baton Rouge that it had not previously enjoyed.<ref>''Jim Gardner and Shreveport'', Vol. I, p. 322.</ref>​

Gardner said that the demotion "turned out to be the best thing that could have happened to Bussie and the labor movement in Louisiana ... He was extremely effective as the Louisiana leader of organized labor and brought a level of influence for labor in Baton Rouge that it had not previously enjoyed.<ref>''Jim Gardner and Shreveport'', Vol. I, p. 322.</ref>​

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==Bussie's home bombed==​

==Bombing of Bussie's home==​

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On July 19, 1966, Bussie's Baton Rouge residence in the Kenilworth subdivision was bombed, but there were no injuries. Jules R. Kimble, a then 24-year-old proclaimed former member of the [[Ku Klux Klan]], who also claimed to have been the heir to a nonexistent fortune, told police that he had overheard three Klansmen plot the bombing of both the Bussie residence and that of Viola Logan, an [[African American]] teacher in Port Allen in West Baton Rouge Parish. Kimble said the plot was hatched in Kimble's [[New Orleans]] home but that he declined to participate in the execution of the plans. It was theorized that the bombing was inspired by Klansmen who favored a state grant-in-aid program to benefit white private academies which would soon mushroom in predominantly black sections of Louisiana with the arrival of court-mandated school [[Segregation|desegregation]]. Kimble was eventually booked with aggravated assault,  impersonating a police officer, and carrying a concealed weapon before such was legal.<ref>[http://www.zoominfo.com/people/kimble_j._256835908.aspx J. Kimble: ZoomInfo Business People Information<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

On July 19, 1966, Bussie's Baton Rouge residence in the Kenilworth subdivision was bombed, but there were no injuries. Jules R. Kimble, a then 24-year-old proclaimed former member of the [[Ku Klux Klan]], who also claimed to have been the heir to a nonexistent fortune, told police that he had overheard three Klansmen plot the bombing of both the Bussie residence and that of Viola Logan, an [[African American]] teacher in Port Allen in West Baton Rouge Parish. Kimble said the plot was hatched in Kimble's [[New Orleans]] home but that he declined to participate in the execution of the plans. It was theorized that the bombing was inspired by Klansmen who favored a state grant-in-aid program to benefit white private academies which would soon mushroom in predominantly black sections of Louisiana with the arrival of court-mandated school [[Segregation|desegregation]]. Kimble was eventually booked with aggravated assault,  impersonating a police officer, and carrying a concealed weapon before such was legal.<ref>[http://www.zoominfo.com/people/kimble_j._256835908.aspx J. Kimble: ZoomInfo Business People Information<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

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==Service on boards and commissions==​

==On boards and commissions==

 

As he had served on Shreveport boards, Bussie also was the union representative over the years on many state boards and commissions, including the [[Louisiana State University]] Board of Supervisors,<ref>http://appl003.lsu.edu/unv002.nsf/9faf000d8eb58d4986256abe00720a51/88514083d3c53ee886256d640049dbfd?OpenDocument</ref> and he was the chairman of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority.<ref>[http://www.businessreport.com/news/2007/aug/24/hicks-steve/ :: Baton Rouge Business Report:: Hicks, Steve E<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On his retirement, a ''Baton Rouge Morning Advocate'' editorial concluded, "Bussie might well be the most powerful Louisianan never elected to public office."​

As he had served on Shreveport boards, Bussie also was the union representative over the years on many state boards and commissions, including the [[Louisiana State University]] Board of Supervisors,<ref>http://appl003.lsu.edu/unv002.nsf/9faf000d8eb58d4986256abe00720a51/88514083d3c53ee886256d640049dbfd?OpenDocument</ref> and he was the chairman of the Louisiana Public Facilities Authority.<ref>[http://www.businessreport.com/news/2007/aug/24/hicks-steve/ :: Baton Rouge Business Report:: Hicks, Steve E<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> On his retirement, a ''Baton Rouge Morning Advocate'' editorial concluded, "Bussie might well be the most powerful Louisianan never elected to public office."​

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At the time of his death, Bussie was still a member of the Baton Rouge Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board.<ref name=obit/>​

At the time of his death, Bussie was still a member of the Baton Rouge Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Board.<ref name=obit/>​

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==Bussie sues Margaret Lowenthal and Boeing==​

==The suit against Boeing and Margaret Lowenthal==​

On October 15, 1985, state Representative Margaret Lowenthal, an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the since disbanded 7th congressional district seat in the [[United States House of Representatives]], addressed theOptimist Club in [[Lake Charles]] at its regular luncheon meeting. Lowenthal claimed that she had been told by an unidentified representative of [[Boeing]] that the firm had considered locating a manufacturing facility in Louisiana, but ultimately chose [[Mississippi]] because of Louisiana's unstable political climate and its longstanding problems with public education. Lowenthal said that she was told further by the Boeing representative that, "'As long as you have a man named Victor Bussie sitting in Baton Rouge, calling the shots for labor, we don't need to be in your state.'" Her remarks were telecast over Lake Charles television.<ref name=bussiesues>{{cite web|url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/1988913535So2d378_1888/BUSSIE%20v.%20LOWENTHAL|title=Bussie v. Lowenthal|date=December 12, 1988|publisher=leagle.com|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref>​

On October 15, 1985, state Representative Margaret Lowenthal, an unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the since disbanded 7th congressional district seat in the [[United States House of Representatives]], addressed theOptimist Club in [[Lake Charles]] at its regular luncheon meeting. Lowenthal claimed that she had been told by an unidentified representative of [[Boeing]] that the firm had considered locating a manufacturing facility in Louisiana, but ultimately chose [[Mississippi]] because of Louisiana's unstable political climate and its longstanding problems with public education. Lowenthal said that she was told further by the Boeing representative that, "'As long as you have a man named Victor Bussie sitting in Baton Rouge, calling the shots for labor, we don't need to be in your state.'" Her remarks were telecast over Lake Charles television.<ref name=bussiesues>{{cite web|url=http://www.leagle.com/decision/1988913535So2d378_1888/BUSSIE%20v.%20LOWENTHAL|title=Bussie v. Lowenthal|date=December 12, 1988|publisher=leagle.com|accessdate=July 12, 2015}}</ref>​

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Bussie filed suit against Lowenthal and Boeing alleging that the statements were false and were made with actual malice. Bussie alleged that as such the statements damaged his reputation and held him up to public contempt and ridicule and caused him embarrassment, humiliation, mental suffering, and anxiety. Lowenthal claimed that the statements had been made to her while she was attending a cocktail party given by the Louisiana delegation to the National Conference of State Legislators.<ref name=bussiesues/>​

Bussie filed suit against Lowenthal and Boeing alleging that the statements were false and were made with actual malice. Bussie alleged that as such the statements damaged his reputation and held him up to public contempt and ridicule and caused him embarrassment, humiliation, mental suffering, and anxiety. Lowenthal claimed that the statements had been made to her while she was attending a cocktail party given by the Louisiana delegation to the National Conference of State Legislators.<ref name=bussiesues/>​

 

==Bussie fights right-to-work==​

==Campaigning against right-to-work==

 

The Louisiana legislature]passed a [[right-to-work law]] in the 1952 session at the urging of then Governor [[Robert F. Kennon]]. Gardner was a freshman member of the Louisiana House at the time and voted for right-to-work. In 1956, however, when Gardner was mayor, the legislature repealed the law at the urging of Governor Earl Long. Organized labor took the leading role in the repeal, a reflection of Bussie's growing influence in state politics. Indeed, Louisiana was clearly the most unionized state in the [[American South]].<ref>James C. Gardner, ''Jim Gardner and Shreveport'', Vol. I, pp. 353–354; https://books.google.com/books?id=5QVz3n8724IC&pg=PA394&lpg=PA394&dq=victor+bussie&source=web&ots=fzABhoouiJ&sig=bRECFObnzPZ0zJZJEIDdDmdDJe0&hl=en#PPA394,M1</ref> Bussie found that rural state legislators wanted farmers excluded from the repeal of right-to-work. Therefore, he endorsed one bill to repeal right-to-work and another to restore right-to-work for farmers. "We became the first and only state labor organization in the nation ever to sponsor a right-to-work law," Bussie said.<ref name=stimes/> The maneuvering caught the eye of former [[First Lady]] [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], who penned an editorial saying that Bussie should be expelled from the union for sponsoring the restoration of right-to-work for farmers.<ref name=stimes/>​

The Louisiana legislature]passed a [[right-to-work law]] in the 1952 session at the urging of then Governor [[Robert F. Kennon]]. Gardner was a freshman member of the Louisiana House at the time and voted for right-to-work. In 1956, however, when Gardner was mayor, the legislature repealed the law at the urging of Governor Earl Long. Organized labor took the leading role in the repeal, a reflection of Bussie's growing influence in state politics. Indeed, Louisiana was clearly the most unionized state in the [[American South]].<ref>James C. Gardner, ''Jim Gardner and Shreveport'', Vol. I, pp. 353–354; https://books.google.com/books?id=5QVz3n8724IC&pg=PA394&lpg=PA394&dq=victor+bussie&source=web&ots=fzABhoouiJ&sig=bRECFObnzPZ0zJZJEIDdDmdDJe0&hl=en#PPA394,M1</ref> Bussie found that rural state legislators wanted farmers excluded from the repeal of right-to-work. Therefore, he endorsed one bill to repeal right-to-work and another to restore right-to-work for farmers. "We became the first and only state labor organization in the nation ever to sponsor a right-to-work law," Bussie said.<ref name=stimes/> The maneuvering caught the eye of former [[First Lady]] [[Eleanor Roosevelt]], who penned an editorial saying that Bussie should be expelled from the union for sponsoring the restoration of right-to-work for farmers.<ref name=stimes/>​

 

In the 1976 legislative session, right-to-work was again passed by a nearly all Democratic body, a reflection of the growing presence of LABI, which sought to reverse what it claimed had been "[[socialism]]" in the heyday of Bussie's influence.<ref>[http://centrallapolitics.blogspot.com/2007/09/labi-says-that-cheap-labor-and-low-rent.html Central La. Politics: Labi Says That Cheap Labor And Low Rent Shacks Are Louisiana'S Economic Development Selling Points?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Bussie convinced state Senator Gaston Gerald of East Baton Rouge Parish, the chairman of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, to work against right-to-work. Gerald hence proposed a state constitutional amendment on the issue, which would have raised the legislative bar for passage and required voter approval.<ref>"Bussie maneuvering work bill's death," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' June 14, 1976, p. 1.</ref>​

In the 1976 legislative session, right-to-work was again passed by a nearly all Democratic body, a reflection of the growing presence of LABI, which sought to reverse what it claimed had been "[[socialism]]" in the heyday of Bussie's influence.<ref>[http://centrallapolitics.blogspot.com/2007/09/labi-says-that-cheap-labor-and-low-rent.html Central La. Politics: LABI Says That Cheap Labor And Low Rent Shacks Are Louisiana'S Economic Development Selling Points?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Bussie convinced state Senator Gaston Gerald of East Baton Rouge Parish, the chairman of the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations Committee, to work against right-to-work. Gerald hence proposed a state constitutional amendment on the issue, which would have raised the legislative bar for passage and required voter approval.<ref>"Bussie maneuvering work bill's death," ''Minden Press-Herald,'' June 14, 1976, p. 1.</ref>​

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Bussie thereafter never wavered in his call to repeal the Louisiana right-to-work law, which he caled the "right-to-work-for-less." Supporters of the measure, however, insist that it merely protects employees' freedom to refuse to pay compulsory "fees" to a union which they do not wish to join. Twenty-one other states, including all southern states, have such laws.<ref>http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0019-7939(199001)43%3A2%3C258%3AGPUBAL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E</ref>​

Bussie thereafter never wavered in his call to repeal the Louisiana right-to-work law, which he caled the "right-to-work-for-less." Supporters of the measure, however, insist that it merely protects employees' freedom to refuse to pay compulsory "fees" to a union which they do not wish to join. Twenty-one other states, including all southern states, have such laws.<ref>http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0019-7939(199001)43%3A2%3C258%3AGPUBAL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-E</ref>​

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“It was one of the biggest fights in the Legislature of this past century,” Steimel said.  He still feels the legislation was needed then. But he said that corporations in Louisiana today are inadvertently inviting the return of stronger unions because workers get paid more in other states for the same jobs. "They’re abusing the power of right-to-work," Steimel said.<ref name="test"/>​

“It was one of the biggest fights in the Legislature of this past century,” Steimel said.  He still feels the legislation was needed then. But he said that corporations in Louisiana today are inadvertently inviting the return of stronger unions because workers get paid more in other states for the same jobs. "They’re abusing the power of right-to-work," Steimel said.<ref name="test"/>​

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At the time of his death, Bussie was married to the former Frances "Fran" Martinez Nolan (born May 6, 1935),<ref>[http://find.intelius.com/search-summary-out.php?ReportType=1& Intelius People Search - Public Records, Background Checks & More<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> herself a political activist, who in the 1980s was a member of the [[Democratic National Committee]].<ref>November primary gets nod", ''Minden Press-Herald'', June 2, 1983, p. 1.</ref> Fran Bussie's parents were John O. Martinez (1906–1990) and Althea Williams Martinez (1914–2003) of New Orleans.<ref>[http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi; http://web.archive.org/web/20071031083718/http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/la/orleans/obits/1/m-07.txt]</ref> Her brothers are Tony and Johnny Martinez.<ref name=obit/> Bussie's first wife, from whom he was [[divorce]]d, was the former Gertrude Foley (October 15, 1918 &ndash; September 16, 2005), who died in Round Rock in [[suburban]] Williamson County, Texas.<ref>[http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi; http://altlaw.org/v1/cases/855272]</ref>​

At the time of his death, Bussie was married to the former Frances "Fran" Martinez Nolan (born May 6, 1935),<ref>[http://find.intelius.com/search-summary-out.php?ReportType=1& Intelius People Search - Public Records, Background Checks & More<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> herself a political activist, who in the 1980s was a member of the [[Democratic National Committee]].<ref>November primary gets nod", ''Minden Press-Herald'', June 2, 1983, p. 1.</ref> Fran Bussie's parents were John O. Martinez (1906–1990) and Althea Williams Martinez (1914–2003) of New Orleans.<ref>[http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi; http://web.archive.org/web/20071031083718/http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/la/orleans/obits/1/m-07.txt]</ref> Her brothers are Tony and Johnny Martinez.<ref name=obit/> Bussie's first wife, from whom he was [[divorce]]d, was the former Gertrude Foley (October 15, 1918 &ndash; September 16, 2005), who died in Round Rock in [[suburban]] Williamson County, Texas.<ref>[http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi; http://altlaw.org/v1/cases/855272]</ref>​

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Bussie was affiliated with the [[liberal]] wing of the Democratic Party. In 1964, he campaigned even in north Louisiana, a stronghold of the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[U.S. Senator]] [[Barry Goldwater]] of [[Arizona]] that year, on behalf of President Lyndon Johnson, who lost that region by a large margin in the last election prior to passage of the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965]], which thereafter enfranchised tens of thousands of black voters, most of whom became automatic Democrats. Bussie was even closer to Johnson's [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]], [[Hubert H. Humphrey]] of [[Minnesota]], who had attended [[Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge during the 1930s but failed to win the state's [[electoral vote]]s in 1968.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,838210,00.html?iid=chix-sphere; http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/weberman/jcooper.htm]</ref>​

Bussie was affiliated with the [[liberal]] wing of the Democratic Party. In 1964, he campaigned even in north Louisiana, a stronghold of the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[U.S. Senator]] [[Barry Goldwater]] of [[Arizona]] that year, on behalf of President Lyndon Johnson, who lost that region by a large margin in the last election prior to passage of the [[Voting Rights Act of 1965]], which thereafter enfranchised tens of thousands of black voters, most of whom became automatic Democrats. Bussie was even closer to Johnson's [[Vice President of the United States|vice president]], [[Hubert H. Humphrey]] of [[Minnesota]], who had attended [[Louisiana State University]] in Baton Rouge during the 1930s but failed to win the state's [[electoral vote]]s in 1968.<ref>[http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,838210,00.html?iid=chix-sphere; http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/weberman/jcooper.htm]</ref>​

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In retirement, Bussie joined a group of Louisiana business and political leaders, including the former Republican Governor [[David C. Treen]], in unsuccessfully effort to obtain from President [[George W. Bush]] a pardon of the imprisoned Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. Not until 2011, was Edwards released from the federal corrections facility in Oakdale in Allen Parish because of his conviction of [[bribery]]. Bussie supported Edwards in all four of the Democrat's successful gubernatorial campaigns. Edwards once said that Bussie was the single-most influential person in his administration.<ref>[http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/newsstory/ewe05.html; https://books.google.com/books?id=FiRbQYoZtv0C&pg=PA183&lpg=PA183&dq=Victor+Bussie+&source=web&ots=4hgUssswTT&sig=fBYDo8JZMtozkEh7ShAN-ppYjT8&hl=en]</ref> Bussie also endorsed at least one Republican candidate in Louisiana, John S. Treen, the older brother of David Treen. John Treen lost to [[David Duke]] in the 1989 [[special election]] for the Louisiana state House from Jefferson Parish.​

After leaving the union presidency, Bussie joined a group of Louisiana business and political leaders, including the former Republican Governor [[David C. Treen]], in unsuccessfully effort to obtain from President [[George W. Bush]] a pardon of the imprisoned Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. Not until 2011, was Edwards released from the federal corrections facility in Oakdale in Allen Parish because of his conviction of [[bribery]]. Bussie supported Edwards in all four of the Democrat's successful gubernatorial campaigns. Edwards once said that Bussie was the single-most influential person in his administration.<ref>[http://www.nola.com/printer/printer.ssf?/newsstory/ewe05.html; https://books.google.com/books?id=FiRbQYoZtv0C&pg=PA183&lpg=PA183&dq=Victor+Bussie+&source=web&ots=4hgUssswTT&sig=fBYDo8JZMtozkEh7ShAN-ppYjT8&hl=en]</ref> Bussie also endorsed at least one Republican candidate in Louisiana, John S. Treen, the older brother of David Treen. John Treen lost to [[David Duke]] in the 1989 [[special election]] for the Louisiana state House from Jefferson Parish.​

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In 1994, Bussie, along with U.S. Senator [[Allen J. Ellender]], was among the second round of public figures inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>[http://cityofwinnfield.com/museum.html Winnfield, La - Old L&A Depot, LA Political Museum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He was a recipient of the "Racial Justice Award" given annually by the Baton Rouge [Young Women's Christian Association.<ref>[http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=ejIPK6OYG&b=241227 Racial Justice Award - Greater Baton Rouge<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 1998, Bussie and former Governor [[John McKeithen]] were among recipients named "Living Legends" by the Louisiana [[Public Broadcasting Service]].<ref>[http://www.lpb.org/friends/lalegends/pastlegends.cfm Louisiana Legends<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

In 1994, along with the late U.S. Senator [[Allen J. Ellender]], Bussie was among the second round of public figures inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield.<ref>[http://cityofwinnfield.com/museum.html Winnfield, La - Old L&A Depot, LA Political Museum<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> He was a recipient of the "Racial Justice Award" given annually by the Baton Rouge [Young Women's Christian Association.<ref>[http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=ejIPK6OYG&b=241227 Racial Justice Award - Greater Baton Rouge<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> In 1998, Bussie and former Governor [[John McKeithen]] were among recipients named "Living Legends" by the Louisiana [[Public Broadcasting Service]].<ref>[http://www.lpb.org/friends/lalegends/pastlegends.cfm Louisiana Legends<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

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In 1997, Bussie received an honorary degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, and other such honorary degrees followed. Then Southeastern President Sally Clausen described Bussie as "an individual who has distinguished himself through his quiet but steadfast work for the underprivileged and his strong stand for justice. He has been a lifelong supporter of education, serving as an advocate for quality instruction and a voice of support for higher education... ".<ref>[http://www2.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/bl12-3.htm ByLion-December 3, 1997<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

In 1997, Bussie received an honorary degree from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, and other such honorary degrees followed. Then Southeastern President Sally Clausen described Bussie as "an individual who has distinguished himself through his quiet but steadfast work for the underprivileged and his strong stand for justice. He has been a lifelong supporter of education, serving as an advocate for quality instruction and a voice of support for higher education... ".<ref>[http://www2.selu.edu/NewsEvents/PublicInfoOffice/bl12-3.htm ByLion-December 3, 1997<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>​

With back problems, Bussie resigned in 2008 from his last state board, the University of Louisiana System Supervisors. He and his wife, Fran, left their home and moved into the St. James Place retirement community in Baton Rouge. In an interview with  ''The Baton Rouge Morning Advocate'', Bussie indicated that he would not write a book of memoirs despite his significance to 20th-century Louisiana history. He has been named the 2008 recipient of the "Friend of Education" award from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the [[American Federation of Teachers]]. Bussie said that he had long promoted educational opportunity because college had never been an option for him. Bussie's papers are in the archive] of the University of Louisiana at [[Lafayette]].<ref>[http://library.louisiana.edu/Spec/MSS/ UL Lafayette: Library: Special Collections: Archives Manuscripts Guide<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Victor and Fran Bussie completed an oral history for the office of the Louisiana Secretary of State's office.<ref name=blum/>​

With back problems, Bussie resigned in 2008 from his last state board, the University of Louisiana System Supervisors. He and his wife, Fran, left their home and moved into the St. James Place retirement community in Baton Rouge. In an interview with  ''The Baton Rouge Morning Advocate'', Bussie indicated that he would not write a book of memoirs despite his significance to 20th-century Louisiana history. He has been named the 2008 recipient of the "Friend of Education" award from the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, an affiliate of the [[American Federation of Teachers]]. Bussie said that he had long promoted educational opportunity because college had never been an option for him. Bussie's papers are in the archive] of the University of Louisiana at [[Lafayette]].<ref>[http://library.louisiana.edu/Spec/MSS/ UL Lafayette: Library: Special Collections: Archives Manuscripts Guide<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Victor and Fran Bussie completed an oral history for the office of the Louisiana Secretary of State's office.<ref name=blum/>​

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==Bussie's legacy==​

==Legacy==​

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[[Bob Mann]], LSU communications professor, said that Bussie was more influential than many governors. "I can't think of anyone who wielded so much power for such an extended period of time." Mann described Bussie as "a living, breathing treasure trove of Louisiana's political history" but "so soft-spoken and modest." Mann said that over the years Bussie was just doing his job: “It was his job to place labor in the most powerful positions he could,” Mann said. “He wielded a lot of power, but he did it in a soft-spoken and respectful way.”​

[[Bob Mann]], LSU communications professor, said that Bussie was more influential than many governors. "I can't think of anyone who wielded so much power for such an extended period of time." Mann described Bussie as "a living, breathing treasure trove of Louisiana's political history" but "so soft-spoken and modest." Mann said that over the years Bussie was just doing his job: “It was his job to place labor in the most powerful positions he could,” Mann said. “He wielded a lot of power, but he did it in a soft-spoken and respectful way.”​

Bussie died of complications from stomach cancer at the age of ninety-two at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Bluebonnet on the Sunday before [[Labor Day]] 2011. In 1989, Bussie had heart by-pass surgery, and in 1993, he lost a kidney to cancer.<ref name=stimes/> Bussie was survived by his second wife, "Fran" Bussie of Baton Rouge, who was formerly married to Michael Quinn Nolan, Sr. He had two surviving daughters from his first marriage to the former Gertrude Foley: Deanna Love, of Wimberley, Texas, and Carolyn B. Huff and husband David, of Round Rock, Texas; stepchildren Tara Nolan Messenger and husband Terry and Michael Quinn Nolan, Jr. (1960–2013), until his death the owner and president of Healthcare Management Companies, all of Baton Rouge; six grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren. Services were held on September 9. 2011 at the First [[United Methodist]] Church in Baton Rouge. Interment was at Resthaven Gardens of Memory Cemetery on the Jefferson Highway.<ref name=nolan/><ref name=obit/>​

Bussie died of complications from stomach cancer at the age of ninety-two at Baton Rouge General Medical Center-Bluebonnet on the Sunday before [[Labor Day]] 2011. In 1989, Bussie had heart by-pass surgery, and in 1993, he lost a kidney to cancer.<ref name=stimes/> Bussie was survived by his second wife, "Fran" Bussie of Baton Rouge, who was formerly married to Michael Quinn Nolan, Sr. He had two surviving daughters from his first marriage to the former Gertrude Foley: Deanna Love, of Wimberley, Texas, and Carolyn B. Huff and husband David, of Round Rock, Texas; stepchildren Tara Nolan Messenger and husband Terry and Michael Quinn Nolan, Jr. (1960–2013), until his death the owner and president of Healthcare Management Companies, all of Baton Rouge; six grandchildren, and three step-grandchildren. Services were held on September 9. 2011 at the First [[United Methodist]] Church in Baton Rouge. Interment was at Resthaven Gardens of Memory Cemetery on the Jefferson Highway.<ref name=nolan/><ref name=obit/>​

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==References==

==References==

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