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Passman was first elected to the 80th United States Congress in 1946, when he unseated two-term incumbent Charles Edgar McKenzie (1896-1956) in the Democratic primary. In the nationally Republican year, numerous returning veterans, including [[John F. Kennedy]] in [[Massachusetts]] and [[Richard M. Nixon]] in [[California]], were chosen for congressional duty. Passman held his 5th congressional district seat with minimal or no opposition for thirty years.​

Passman was first elected to the 80th United States Congress in 1946, when he unseated two-term incumbent Charles Edgar McKenzie (1896-1956) in the Democratic primary. In the nationally Republican year, numerous returning veterans, including [[John F. Kennedy]] in [[Massachusetts]] and [[Richard M. Nixon]] in [[California]], were chosen for congressional duty. Passman held his 5th congressional district seat with minimal or no opposition for thirty years.​

 

In 1956, District Attorney Ragan Dupree Madden (1910-1990) of Lincoln and Union parishes filed candidacy papers to oppose Passman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/2367392/|title=Madden to run for Congress|publisher=''The Ruston Daily Leader''|date=May 17, 1956|page=9|accessdate=February 25, 2015}}</ref> Not once did a Republican candidate oppose Passman in his fifteen terms in office; the [[Republican Party|GOP]] at the time was a mostly moribund institution in Louisiana.<ref>"Louisiana History," p. 335.</ref>​

In 1956, District Attorney Ragan Dupree Madden (1910-1990) of Lincoln and Union parishes filed candidacy papers to oppose Passman.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/newspage/2367392/|title=Madden to run for Congress|publisher=''The Ruston Daily Leader''|date=May 17, 1956|page=9|accessdate=February 25, 2015}}</ref> Not once did a Republican candidate oppose Passman in his fifteen terms in office; the [[Republican Party|GOP]] at the time was a mostly moribund institution in Louisiana.<ref>"Louisiana History," p. 335.</ref>​

 

As a representative, Passman concentrated on national defense and veterans' issues as well as his scrutiny of foreign aid programs. He supported the American military in the [[Vietnam War]] under both Presidents [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and Richard Nixon as essential to defeating [[Communism|communist]] aggression during the overall [[Cold War]].<ref>''Louisiana History, p. 335.</ref> He took the "My country, right or wrong" mantra first voiced in the [[Barbary]] pirates war by [[Stephen Decatur]].​

As a representative, Passman concentrated on national defense and veterans' issues as well as his scrutiny of foreign aid programs. He supported the American military in the [[Vietnam War]] under both Presidents [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] and Richard Nixon as essential to defeating [[Communism|communist]] aggression during the overall [[Cold War]].<ref>''Louisiana History, p. 335.</ref> He took the "My country, right or wrong" mantra first voiced in the Barbary pirates war by [[Stephen Decatur]].​

 

Democratic colleague [[Joe  Waggonner]] of  Plain Dealing in northern Bossier Parish, said that no one in Congress knew more about foreign aid than Passman.<ref>Randolph Jones, "Otto Passman and Foreign Aid: The Early Years," ''Louisiana History'' 26 (Winter 1985), pp. 53-62.</ref> According to Waggonner, Passman was "tight with a buck and tight with taxes. He had good fundamental instincts ... He had a sense of compassion for people who were downtrodden. He was worried about the welfare of older people. He was a pretty sensitive man." Passman obtained $900,000 in federal funding to convert the Francis Towers Hotel in downtown Monroe to a senior citizens home.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 337.</ref>​

Democratic colleague [[Joe  Waggonner]] of  Plain Dealing in northern Bossier Parish, said that no one in Congress knew more about foreign aid than Passman.<ref>Randolph Jones, "Otto Passman and Foreign Aid: The Early Years," ''Louisiana History'' 26 (Winter 1985), pp. 53-62.</ref> According to Waggonner, Passman was "tight with a buck and tight with taxes. He had good fundamental instincts ... He had a sense of compassion for people who were downtrodden. He was worried about the welfare of older people. He was a pretty sensitive man." Passman obtained $900,000 in federal funding to convert the Francis Towers Hotel in downtown Monroe to a senior citizens home.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 337.</ref>​

 

Passman was active in making the Ouachita River navigable for barge traffic.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 338.</ref>​

Passman was active in making the Ouachita River navigable for barge traffic.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 338.</ref>​

 

He made financial contributions to [[leprosy]] colonies in [[Hong Kong]] and in Carville in Iberville Parish, Louisiana. "He saw those poor people, and it just worked on his heartstrings. He was a tough businessman, but a lot of things touched him," said Paul Fink.<ref>"Louisiana History, p. 338.</ref>​

He made financial contributions to [[leprosy]] colonies in [[Hong Kong]] and in Carville in Iberville Parish, Louisiana. "He saw those poor people, and it just worked on his heartstrings. He was a tough businessman, but a lot of things touched him," said Paul Fink.<ref>"Louisiana History, p. 338.</ref>​

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