Block, Upload, Automoderated users, edit, move, protect, rollback
57,799
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 30:
Line 30: − + Line 39:
Line 39: − + − + − + − + − + − − +
no edit summary
}}
}}
'''Roy McArthur Hopkins''', known as '''Hoppy Hopkins''' (June 10, 1943 – November 23, 2006), was a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] state representative for District 1 in northern Caddo and Bossier parishes, [[Louisiana]]. He served from 1988 until his [[Thanksgiving Day]] death after a long illness of bone [[cancer]]. In 1966, Hopkins moved his family to Oil City (population 1,008) and made his living there as an [[automobile]] dealer.
'''Roy McArthur Hopkins''', known as '''Hoppy Hopkins''' (June 10, 1943 – November 23, 2006), was a [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] state representative for District 1 in northern Caddo and Bossier parishes, [[Louisiana]]. He served from 1988 until his [[Thanksgiving Day]] death after a long illness of bone [[cancer]]. In 1966, Hopkins moved his family to Oil City (population 1,008) and made his living there as an [[automobile]] dealer.
Hopkins was born in the village of Murchison near Athens in Henderson County, [[Texas]]. He was a veteran of the [[United States Army]], having been stationed in [[Germany]] during the [[Cold War]]. Previously, Hopkins, had been an alderman and [[mayor]] of Oil City. In 1979, he was elected to the Caddo Parish Police Jury, which became the Caddo Parish Commission in December 1984. Hopkins was elected by his colleagues as the first president of the Caddo Parish Commission. Two [[Republican Party |Republican]] commissioners, [[Tommy Armstrong]] and [[Lloyd Lenard]], served thereafter as the second and third presidents of the commission, respectively.
Hopkins was born in the village of Murchison near Athens in Henderson County, [[Texas]]. He was a veteran of the [[United States Army]], having been stationed in [[Germany]] during the [[Cold War]]. Previously, Hopkins, had been an alderman and [[mayor]] of Oil City. In 1979, he was elected to the Caddo Parish Police Jury, which became the Caddo Parish Commission in December 1984. Hopkins was elected by his colleagues as the first president of the Caddo Parish Commission. Two [[Republican Party |Republican]] commissioners, [[Tommy Armstrong]] and [[Lloyd Lenard]], served thereafter as the second and third presidents of the commission, respectively.
Another Republican, David Hunter, tried unsuccessfully to defeat Hopkins in 1991. Hopkins polled 8,187 (73 percent) to Hunter's 2,964 (27 percent). Republicans left Hopkins unopposed in the 1995, 1999, and 2003 primaries. However, two Democrats, attorney Kirby Kelly and Philip Green, challenged him in 2003. Hopkins received 6,861 votes that year to Kelly's 2,322 (24 percent) and Green's 606 ballots (6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, 2003.</ref>
Another Republican, David Hunter, tried unsuccessfully to defeat Hopkins in 1991. Hopkins polled 8,187 (73 percent) to Hunter's 2,964 (27 percent). Republicans left Hopkins unopposed in the 1995, 1999, and 2003 primaries. However, two Democrats, attorney Kirby Kelly and Philip Green, challenged him in 2003. Hopkins received 6,861 votes that year to Kelly's 2,322 (24 percent) and Green's 606 ballots (6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, 2003.</ref>
==Legislative issues==
==Legislative issues==
In the House, Hopkins supported the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport and the establishment of the Louisiana State Oil and Natural Gas Museum in Oil City. He also wrote legislation that divided riverboat taxes among local governments.
In the House, Hopkins supported the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport and the establishment of the Louisiana State Oil and Natural Gas Museum in Oil City. He also wrote legislation that divided riverboat taxes among local governments.
''The Shreveport Times,'' his regional newspaper, described Hopkins as having a great sense of humor and a "biting wit" but "adept at getting bills passed and maneuvering behind the scenes to kill legislation he opposed." Hopkins was a veteran member of the important House Appropriations Committee. He was elected by the legislative delegation of the 4th congressional district to serve as its representative on the state House panel.
''The Shreveport Times,'' his regional newspaper, described Hopkins as having a great sense of humor and a "biting wit" but "adept at getting bills passed and maneuvering behind the scenes to kill legislation he opposed." Hopkins was a veteran member of the important House Appropriations Committee. He was elected by the legislative delegation of the 4th congressional district to serve as its representative on the state House panel.
A colleague and close friend, Representative [[Billy Montgomery]], a Democrat-turned-Republican from Haughton in Bossier Parish, told ''The Shreveport Times'' that Hopkins was a "team player" who had a good relationship with almost everybody. . . . He led because people liked him so much."
A colleague and close friend, Representative [[Billy Montgomery]], a Democrat-turned-Republican from Haughton in Bossier Parish, told ''The Shreveport Times'' that Hopkins was a "team player" who had a good relationship with almost everybody. . . . He led because people liked him so much."
Hopkins authored a bill to provide health benefits to lawmakers who had served prior to the installation of term limits. The bill passed, but Democratic Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]] vetoed the bill at the "urging of Republican lawmakers, many of whom had voted for the legislation ... People never understood that Hoppy wasn't doing that for himself. He was just thinking about other members. He already had [his own] insurance ... and retirement," Montgomery explained.
Hopkins authored a bill to provide health benefits to lawmakers who had served prior to the installation of term limits. The bill passed, but Democratic Governor [[Kathleen Blanco]] vetoed the bill at the "urging of Republican lawmakers, many of whom had voted for the legislation ... People never understood that Hoppy wasn't doing that for himself. He was just thinking about other members. He already had [his own] insurance ... and retirement," Montgomery explained.
Representative [[Wayne Waddell]], a Shreveport Republican first elected in a 1997 special election, said that he voted for the health-benefits bill because it "means too much to Hoppy."
Representative [[Wayne Waddell]], a Shreveport Republican first elected in a 1997 special election, said that he voted for the health-benefits bill because it "means too much to Hoppy."