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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.”

Even LABI's [[Edward J. Steimel]] (1922-2016), Bussie’s top rival in political organization, had tremendous respect for Bussie. "Many businesspeople felt organized labor was running the state,” Steimel said of his being recruited by LABI to take on the AFL-CIO in the 1970s. "But we were never really anti each other, and we’ve become closer since."​

Even LABI's Ed Steimel (1922-2016), Bussie’s top rival in political organization, had tremendous respect for the labor president. Many businesspeople felt organized labor was running the state,” Steimel said of his being recruited by LABI to take on the AFL-CIO in the 1970s. "But we were never really anti each other, and we’ve become closer since."​

Bollinger Shipyards CEO Donald "Boysie" Bollinger, who sat next to Bussie on the UL System board, said he initially saw Bussie as a Louisiana "icon," who as an aggressive union lobbyist "represented everything that I was opposed to."​ But Bollinger added that, after getting to know Bussie, they became friends, and he respected Bussie’s passion for education and worker safety.​ Sibal Holt, the first black female president of an AFL-CIO state branch, said Bussie was “the champion of workers” of all colors and sexes. "I sort of viewed him as an octopus with tentacles reaching all over. But he was as sincere as the day is long."​

Bollinger Shipyards CEO Donald "Boysie" Bollinger, who sat next to Bussie on the UL System board, said he initially saw Bussie as a Louisiana "icon," who as an aggressive union lobbyist "represented everything that I was opposed to."​ But Bollinger added that, after getting to know Bussie, they became friends, and he respected Bussie’s passion for education and worker safety.​ Sibal Holt, the first black female president of an AFL-CIO state branch, said Bussie was “the champion of workers” of all colors and sexes. "I sort of viewed him as an octopus with tentacles reaching all over. But he was as sincere as the day is long."​

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Critics have said Bussie’s and his colleagues’ involvement in so many areas of government amounted to a power grab to keep unions influential. Bussie is emphatic that he only wanted to serve his state as much as he could:  "It may sound corny, but that’s just the way I lived."  He is proud of serving on all the boards without ever accepting any per diem payments or salaries.​

Critics have said Bussie’s and his colleagues’ involvement in so many areas of government amounted to a power grab to keep unions influential. Bussie is emphatic that he only wanted to serve his state as much as he could:  "It may sound corny, but that’s just the way I lived."  He is proud of serving on all the boards without ever accepting any per diem payments or salaries.​

T. Wayne Parent, the Russell B. Long Professor of Political Science at LSU and formerly a young staffer at the State Capitol, said that he was often mesmerized watching Bussie lobby the legislature. Lawmakers would look toward Bussie when certain bills came up, and the labor president would nod "Yes" or "No." Parent said that Bussie "really did represent the quiet strength labor can have behind the scenes."​

T. Wayne Parent, the Russell B. Long Professor of Political Science at LSU and formerly a young staffer at the State Capitol, said that he was often mesmerized watching Bussie lobby the legislature. Lawmakers would look toward Bussie when certain bills came up, and the labor president would nod "Yes" or "No." Parent said that Bussie "really did represent the quiet strength labor can have behind the scenes."​

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Sally Clausen, the state commissioner of higher education after she left Southeastern State University, saw Bussie as her political guide. Clausen remembers Bussie’s small, "dungeon-like" office. Yet people would flock to him as soon as he entered a room. "I’ve never known someone as altruistic and humble, and still so powerful," she said.​

Sally Clausen, the state commissioner of higher education after she left Southeastern State University, saw Bussie as her political guide. Clausen remembers Bussie’s small, "dungeon-like" office. Yet people would flock to him as soon as he entered a room. "I’ve never known someone as altruistic and humble, and still so powerful," she said.

 

Bussie said he had a good relationship with every governor from Earl Long to [[Mike Foster|Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.]], with the exception of Democrat-turned-Republican [[Buddy Roemer]]. Bussie remained close to former Governor Edwin Edwards. A few years before his incarceration, Edwards flew in from a vacation to attend Bussie’s 1997 retirement dinner. "I said, ‘Well Edwin, that’s the first time you ever paid for anything out of your own money,’" Bussie joked.<ref name="test"/>

Bussie said he had a good relationship with every governor from Earl Long to [[Mike Foster|Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr.]], with the exception of Democrat-turned-Republican [[Buddy Roemer]]. Bussie remained close to former Governor Edwin Edwards. A few years before his incarceration, Edwards flew in from a vacation to attend Bussie’s 1997 retirement dinner. "I said, ‘Well Edwin, that’s the first time you ever paid for anything out of your own money,’" Bussie joked.<ref name="test"/>

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