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|religion=[[Southern Baptist]]​

|religion=[[Southern Baptist]]​

|occupation=[[Business]]man<br>

|occupation=[[Business]]man<br>

[[United States Navy]] service in [[World War II]], 1942-1944}​}

[[United States Navy]] service in [[World War II]], 1942-1944}}

'''Otto Ernest Passman''' (June 27, 1900 &ndash; August 13, 1988) was from  to 1947 to 1977 a [[conservative]] [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[U.S.  Representative]] for [[Louisiana]]'s 5th congressionaal district, then anchored about [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] in the northeastern part of the state. The district now stretches as far south as the Florida Parishes east of the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]]. Passman  is primarily remembered for his detailed knowledge and mostly opposition to foreign aid. He was unseated in the 1976 [[primary]] election by the more moderate challenger, Thomas Jerald "Jerry" Huckaby, then of Ringgold in Bienville Parish but since retired in Lincoln Parish east of [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]].​

'''Otto Ernest Passman''' (June 27, 1900 &ndash; August 13, 1988) was from  to 1947 to 1977 a [[conservative]] [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[U.S.  Representative]] for [[Louisiana]]'s 5th congressionaal district, then anchored about [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]] in the northeastern part of the state. The district now stretches as far south as the Florida Parishes east of the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]]. Passman  is primarily remembered for his detailed knowledge and mostly opposition to foreign aid. He was unseated in the 1976 [[primary]] election by the more moderate challenger, Thomas Jerald "Jerry" Huckaby, then of Ringgold in Bienville Parish but since retired in Lincoln Parish east of [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]].​

==Background==

==Background==

Passman was the son of sharecroppers from Franklinton, the seat of government for Washington Parish in southeastern Louisiana. Washington Parish was also the home of another political giant in Louisiana politics, state Senator [[B. B. "Sixty" Rayburn]] of Bogalusa. Current Democratic [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]] is another politician from Washington Parish. Passman dropped out of school to work odd jobs but enrolled in night school thereafter to complete his high school education. He later studied at Soule Business College in Bogalusa. "He was a smart man, a self-educated man," said Paul Fink, Passman's [[attorney]] for more than four decades.<ref>Billy Hathorn, "Otto Passman, Jerry Huckaby, and Frank Spooner: The Louisiana Fifth Congressional District Election of 1976," ''Louisiana History:  The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association'', LIV No. 3 (Summer 2013), p. 333; hereinafter cited as "Louisiana History."</ref>​

Passman was the son of sharecroppers from Franklinton, the seat of government for Washington Parish in southeastern Louisiana. Washington Parish was the home of another political giant in Louisiana politics, state Senator [[B. B. "Sixty" Rayburn]] of Bogalusa. Current Democratic [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]] is another politician from Washington Parish. Passman dropped out of school to work odd jobs but enrolled in night school thereafter to complete his high school education. He later studied at Soule Business College in Bogalusa. "He was a smart man, a self-educated man," said Paul Fink, Passman's [[attorney]] for more than four decades.<ref>Billy Hathorn, "Otto Passman, Jerry Huckaby, and Frank Spooner: The Louisiana Fifth Congressional District Election of 1976," ''Louisiana History:  The Journal of the Louisiana Historical Association'', LIV No. 3 (Summer 2013), p. 333; hereinafter cited as ''Louisiana History.''</ref>​

In 1929, having relocated to Monroe, he formed Passman Equipment Company, which was involved in the manufacture of commercial refrigerators and distributed hotel and [[restaurant]] supplies and electrical appliances. During his time in business, friends said that Passman learned the value of money and developed compassion for the poor. For a time, he was in business with a nephew, Charles Stanley Passman (1924-2009). He was twice married but had no children.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 333.</ref>​

In 1929, having relocated to Monroe, he formed Passman Equipment Company, which was involved in the manufacture of commercial refrigerators and distributed hotel and [[restaurant]] supplies and electrical appliances. During his time in business, friends said that Passman learned the value of money and developed compassion for the poor. For a time, he was in business with a nephew, Charles Stanley Passman (1924-2009). He was twice married but had no children.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 333.</ref>​

In [[World War II]], Passman was commissioned a [[lieutenant]] in the [[United States Navy]] and served from October 11, 1942, until his discharge as a lieutenant commander on September 5, 1944. He returned to his mercantile business and remained a staunch advocate of a strong U.S. military force.<ref>''Louisiana History'', pp. 333-334</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000098|title=Passman, Otto Ernest|publisher=bioguide.congress.gov|accessdate=January 8, 2020}}</ref>​

In [[World War II]], Passman was commissioned a [[lieutenant]] in the [[United States Navy]] and served from October 11, 1942, until his discharge as a lieutenant commander on September 5, 1944. He returned to his mercantile business and remained a staunch advocate of a strong U.S. military force.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' pp. 333-334.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=P000098|title=Passman, Otto Ernest|publisher=bioguide.congress.gov|accessdate=January 8, 2020}}</ref>​

==Attending Democratic conventions==

==Attending Democratic conventions==

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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Passman faced few election challenges over the years. In 1970, with 47,172 votes, he easily defeated two challengers, Monroe attorney Paul H. Kidd and State Representative David Ivy Patten of Catahoula Parish, who received 15,391 and 13,855, respectively. In 1972, Patten again challenged Passman, as did State Senator Charles M. Brown of Tallulah in Madison Parish. Passman prevailed that year too with 67,176 votes, to Brown's 34,314 and Patten's 9,299.<ref>''Louisiana Almanac,'' 2006.</ref>​

Passman faced few election challenges over the years. In 1970, with 47,172 votes, he easily defeated two challengers, Monroe attorney Paul H. Kidd and State Representative David Ivy Patten of Catahoula Parish, who received 15,391 and 13,855, respectively. In 1972, Patten again challenged Passman, as did State Senator Charles M. Brown of Tallulah in Madison Parish. Passman prevailed that year too with 67,176 votes, to Brown's 34,314 and Patten's 9,299.<ref>''Louisiana Almanac,'' 2006.</ref>​

In 1976, after thirty years in Congress, Passman faced an unexpected challenger who seemed unlikely to pose a serious problem for his renomination. Jerry Huckaby, a native of Jackson Parish and a 1959 graduate of [[Minden (Louisiana) High School|Minden High School]] in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish, which was outside the 5th congressional district, had no previous political experience but had been a dairy farmer in Bienville Parish. As an ally of Georgia's [[Jimmy Carter]], who was running strongly in Louisiana at the time, Huckaby upset Passman in the Democratic primary, largely because of charges of influence peddling that had engulfed the congressman in his last term in office but which had not yet led to indictment.<ref>"Louisiana History, p. 342.</ref>​

In 1976, after thirty years in Congress, Passman faced an unexpected challenger who seemed unlikely to pose a serious problem for his renomination. Jerry Huckaby, a native of Jackson Parish and a 1959 graduate of [[Minden (Louisiana) High School|Minden High School]] in [[Minden, Louisiana|Minden]] in Webster Parish, which was outside the 5th congressional district, had no previous political experience but had been a dairy farmer in Bienville Parish. As an ally of Georgia's [[Jimmy Carter]], who was running strongly in Louisiana at the time, Huckaby upset Passman in the Democratic primary, largely because of charges of influence peddling that had engulfed the congressman in his last term in office but which had not yet led to indictment.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 342.</ref>​

Passman was so incensed over his primary defeat that he "threatened" to endorse Republican congressional nominee [[Frank Spooner]], a Monroe oilman who challenged Huckaby in the general election. However, the endorsement never materialized. Years later, Huckaby said that Passman never spoke to him after the 1976 primary. Huckaby went on to defeat Spooner and to hold the seat until 1993, having been defeated in 1992 as a result of [[reapportionment]] by [[Moderate Republican]] James Otis "Jim" McCrery, III.<ref>"Louisiana History, p. 343.</ref>​

Passman was so incensed over his primary defeat that he "threatened" to endorse Republican congressional nominee [[Frank Spooner]], a Monroe oilman who challenged Huckaby in the general election. However, the endorsement never materialized. Years later, Huckaby said that Passman never spoke to him after the 1976 primary. Huckaby went on to defeat Spooner and to hold the seat until 1993, having been defeated in 1992 as a result of [[reapportionment]] by [[Moderate Republican]] James Otis "Jim" McCrery, III.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 343.</ref>​

Passman's Monroe friend Garland Shell said that the loss of the congressional seat was the turning point in his life. "When the old gentleman was defeated, that was it. He's been inactive since."<ref>"Louisiana History, p. 343.</ref>

Passman's Monroe friend Garland Shell said that the loss of the congressional seat was the turning point in his life. "When the old gentleman was defeated, that was it. He's been inactive since."<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 343.</ref>

==Death and legacy==

==Death and legacy==