Changes

|spouse=Margaret Bellemin Brinkhaus

|spouse=Margaret Bellemin Brinkhaus

|children=Seven children

|children=Seven children

'''Parents''':<br>

'''Parents''':<br>

Dr. Armand L. and Julia Thoms Brinkhaus

Dr. Armand L. and Julia Thoms Brinkhaus

|party= [[Democratic Party|Democrat]]

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]

|occupation=[[Attorney]]

|occupation=[[Attorney]]

|alma_mater=Sunset, Louisiana, High School<br>

|alma_mater=Sunset, Louisiana, High School<br>

|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]}}

|religion=[[Roman Catholic]]}}

'''Armand Joseph Brinkhaus, Sr.''' (November 7, 1935) &ndash; February 12, 2017)<ref<{{cite web|url= https://obits.theadvocate.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?pid=184134282#:~:text=A%20Mass%20of%20Christian%20Burial%20will%20be%20held,Lafayette%20General%20Medical%20Center%20after%20a%20short%20illness.|title=Armand Brinkhaus obituary|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=February 14, 2017|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref> was an [[attorney]] from his native Sunset in St. Landry Parish, [[Louisiana]], who served as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in both houses of his state legislature. He was a representative from 1968 to 1976<ref>{{cite web|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2024|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref> and the [[Louisiana State Senate]] from 1976-1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://senate.la.gov/Documents/Membership/1880membership.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-2024|publisher=senate.la.gov|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref> He was particularly known for his promotion of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana to encourage use of the [[French]] language.

'''Armand Joseph Brinkhaus, Sr.''' (November 7, 1935) &ndash; February 12, 2017)<ref name=obit>{{cite web|url= https://obits.theadvocate.com/obituaries/theadvocate/obituary.aspx?pid=184134282#:~:text=A%20Mass%20of%20Christian%20Burial%20will%20be%20held,Lafayette%20General%20Medical%20Center%20after%20a%20short%20illness.|title=Armand Brinkhaus obituary|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=February 14, 2017|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref> was an [[attorney]] from his native Sunset in St. Landry Parish, [[Louisiana]], who served as a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] in both houses of his state legislature. He was a representative from 1968 to 1976<ref>{{cite web|url=https://house.louisiana.gov/H_PDFdocs/HouseMembership_History_CURRENT.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana House of Representatives, 1812-2024|publisher=Louisiana House of Representatives|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref> and the state Senate from 1976 to 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://senate.la.gov/Documents/Membership/1880membership.pdf|title=Membership in the Louisiana State Senate, 1880-2024|publisher=Louisiana State Senate|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref> He was particularly known for his promotion of the Council for the Development of French in Louisiana to encourage use of the [[French]] language.

Brinkhaus graduated from Sunset High School, the [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]] Spring Hill College in [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]], [[Alabama]], and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana at [[Lafayette]], from which in 1958 he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1960, he received his [[Juris Doctor]]ate from he Catholic Loyola University in [[New Orleans]]. He was an active  member of the American and St. Landry Parish bar associations, the American Judicature Society, and the American Trial Lawyers Association. He served as well on the boards of St. Landry Homestead Federal Savings Bank, the Opelousas-St. Landry [[Chamber of Commerce]], Doctor's Hospital of Opelousas, and the South St. Landry Community Library. Brinkhaus was also affiliated with the Southwest Rehabilitation Center, the American [[Red Cross]], the [[Boy Scouts]], Lions International, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Woodmen of the World, the [[National Rifle Association]], the Louisiana Cattleman's Association, and the Roman Catholic men's organization, [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref name=acadiamuseum>{{cite web|url=http://www.acadianmuseum.com/legends.php?viewID=188|title=Living Legends: Armand Brinkhaus|publisher=acadiamuseum.com|accessdate=May 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>"Louisiana: Brinkhaus, Armand," ''Who's Who in American Politics, 2007-2008'' (Marquis Who's Who:  New Providence, [[New Jersey]], 2007), pp. 652.</ref>

Brinkhaus graduated from Sunset High School, the [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]] Spring Hill College in [[Mobile, Alabama|Mobile]], [[Alabama]], and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, then known as the University of Southwestern Louisiana at [[Lafayette]], from which in 1958 he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1960, he received his [[Juris Doctor]]ate from he Catholic Loyola University in [[New Orleans]]. He was an active  member of the American and St. Landry Parish bar associations, the American Judicature Society, and the American Trial Lawyers Association. He served as well on the boards of St. Landry Homestead Federal Savings Bank, the Opelousas-St. Landry [[Chamber of Commerce]], Doctor's Hospital of Opelousas, and the South St. Landry Community Library. Brinkhaus was also affiliated with the Southwest Rehabilitation Center, the American [[Red Cross]], the [[Boy Scouts]], Lions International, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Woodmen of the World, the [[National Rifle Association]], the Louisiana Cattleman's Association, and the Roman Catholic men's organization, [[Knights of Columbus]].<ref name=acadiamuseum>{{cite web|url=http://www.acadianmuseum.com/legends.php?viewID=188|title=Living Legends: Armand Brinkhaus|publisher=acadiamuseum.com|accessdate=May 23, 2014}}</ref><ref>"Louisiana: Brinkhaus, Armand," ''Who's Who in American Politics, 2007-2008'' (Marquis Who's Who:  New Providence, [[New Jersey]], 2007), pp. 652.</ref>

Brinkhaus and his wife, the former Margaret Bellemin, have seven children. Margaret Brinkhaus is a native of Grand Coteau, another small town in St. Landry Parish. Like her husband, she graduated from nearby Sunset High School and subsequently received a degree from Maryville College in [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]]. In recent years, she has operated a bed and breakfast in a restored railroad complex and has been involved in the canning of jellies, jams, and relishes as well as numerous arts and crafts. The Brinkhauses attended St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Grand Coteau.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.louisianacrafts.org/artistdirectory/margaret-brinkhaus|title=Margaret Brinkhaus biography|publisher=louisianacrafts.org|accessdate=May 23, 2014}}</ref>

Brinkhaus and his wife, the former Margaret Bellemin, have seven children. Margaret Brinkhaus is a native of Grand Coteau, another small town in St. Landry Parish. Like her husband, she graduated from nearby Sunset High School and subsequently received a degree from Maryville College in [[St. Louis]], [[Missouri]]. In recent years, she has operated a bed and breakfast in a restored railroad complex and has been involved in the canning of jellies, jams, and relishes as well as numerous arts and crafts. The Brinkhauses attended St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Grand Coteau.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.louisianacrafts.org/artistdirectory/margaret-brinkhaus|title=Margaret Brinkhaus biography|publisher=louisianacrafts.org|accessdate=May 23, 2014}}</ref> Brinkhaus was a brother-in law of the late Republican state Representative [[Roderick Miller]], who was married to Brinkaus' sister, Anna Jane Gaiennie Miller.

Brinkhaus  also managed to till two family farms and to play the [[piano]], [[saxophone]], and [[clarinet]].<ref name=lanewsbureau/>

Brinkhaus  also managed to till two family farms and to play the [[piano]], [[saxophone]], and [[clarinet]].<ref name=lanewsbureau/>

==Political career==

==Political career==

In the state House under the administrations of [[Governor]]s [[John J. McKeithen]] and [[Edwin Edwards]], Brinkhaus served on CODOFIL, in which capacity he received the L'Ordre de la Pleiade for his work in promoting French language and culture.<ref name=acadiamuseum/>

In the state House under the administrations of [[Governor]]s [[John J. McKeithen]] and [[Edwin Edwards]], Brinkhaus served on CODOFIL, in which capacity he received the L'Ordre de la Pleiade for his work in promoting French language and culture.<ref name=acadiamuseum/>

On August 19, 1972, having earlier in the year taken the oath of office for his second term in the Louisiana state House, Brinkhaus ran in the Democratic then closed [[primary]], prior to the establishment of the Louisiana nonpartisan blanket primary system, for Louisiana's 8th congressional district]seat, since disbanded. He polled 31,934 votes (28.2 percent), but victory went to former Ventress in Pointe Coupee Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=236162|title=Louisiana District 8 - D Primary|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref> Long then reclaimed the seat by defeating in the [[general election]] held on November 7, 1972, the American Independent Party choice, Dr. S. R. Abramson of Marksville in Avoyelles Parish and the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Roy C. Strickland]], then of Gonzales in Ascension Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=56967|title=LA District 8|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=May 23, 2014}}</ref>

On August 19, 1972, having earlier in the year taken the oath of office for his second term in the Louisiana state House, Brinkhaus ran in the Democratic then closed [[primary]], prior to the establishment of the Louisiana nonpartisan blanket primary system, for Louisiana's 8th congressional district]seat, since disbanded. He polled 31,934 votes (28.2 percent), but victory went to former Ventress in Pointe Coupee Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=236162|title=Louisiana District 8 - D Primary|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref> Long then reclaimed the seat by defeating in the [[general election]] held on November 7, 1972, the American Independent Party choice, Dr. S. R. Abramson of Marksville in Avoyelles Parish and the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Roy C. Strickland]], then of Gonzales in Ascension Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=56967|title=LA District 8|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=May 23, 2014}}</ref>

Brinkhaus chaired the Senate Education Committee and was a major promoter of his alma mater, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He authored legislation to establish special protection for school teachers facing acts of violence from  unruly pupils. His law created the crime of assault of a school teacher with an enhanced penalty. Brinkhaus worked to provide low interest loans for the purchase of school buses and greater operational allowances for bus drivers. He worked for increases in pay for teachers and support personnel as well as for additional supplements to retired educators. He led the effort to require that a teacher evaluation plan be developed by local [[school board]]s, rather than the Louisiana Department of Education.<ref name=lanewsbureau/>

Brinkhaus chaired the Senate Education Committee and was a major promoter of his alma mater, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He authored legislation to establish special protection for school teachers facing acts of violence from  unruly pupils. His law created the crime of assault of a school teacher with an enhanced penalty. Brinkhaus worked to provide low interest loans for the purchase of school buses and greater operational allowances for bus drivers. He worked for increases in pay for teachers and support personnel as well as for additional supplements to retired educators. He led the effort to require that a teacher evaluation plan be developed by local school boards, rather than the Louisiana Department of Education.<ref name=lanewsbureau/>

  Brinkhaus also served at various times on the Senate Finance, Judiciary, and Agriculture committees.<ref name=acadiamuseum/> He sponsored legislation to halt the distribution of campaign contributions to legislators within the Louisiana State Capitol, the governor’s mansion, or any other state office building. He voted to require the disclosure of certain expenditures by persons who lobby the legislature and to require that individual legislators disclose the receipt of gifts of transportation, food, lodging, or entertainment.<ref name=lanewsbureau/>

  Brinkhaus also served at various times on the Senate Finance, Judiciary, and Agriculture committees.<ref name=acadiamuseum/> He sponsored legislation to halt the distribution of campaign contributions to legislators within the Louisiana State Capitol, the governor’s mansion, or any other state office building. He voted to require the disclosure of certain expenditures by persons who lobby the legislature and to require that individual legislators disclose the receipt of gifts of transportation, food, lodging, or entertainment.<ref name=lanewsbureau/>