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==Long in Congress==

==Long in Congress==

Speedy Long quickly established his hold on the Eighth District. He hired the lawyer [[Ted Jones|Theodore "Ted" Jones]] as his first executive assistant, but Jones soon left to join the McKeithen administration. As he had promised, Long voted conservatively in Congress, sometimes in line with the Republican leadership under the direction of a future president, [[Gerald Ford]]. Long was reelected to the House in 1966, when he defeated State Representative Larry Parker in the party primary, 1968, and 1970. In the latter year, he defeated in the Democratic primary [[John K. Snyder]], later the mayor of Alexandria, 59,032 to 24,112.

Speedy Long quickly established his hold on the Eighth District. He hired the lawyer [[Ted Jones|Theodore "Ted" Jones]] as his first executive assistant, but Jones soon left to join the McKeithen administration. As he had promised, Long voted conservatively in Congress, sometimes in line with the Republican leadership under the direction of a future president, [[Gerald Ford]]. Long was reelected to the House in 1966, when he defeated State Representative [[Larry Parker (Louisiana politician)|Larry Parker]] of Alexandria in the party primary, and again in 1968 and 1970. In the latter year, Long defeated in the Democratic primary [[John K. Snyder]], later the mayor of Alexandria, 59,032 votes (71 percent) to 24,112 (29 percent).

Representative Long served on the Armed Services and the Merchant Marine and Fisheries committees. His subcommittee held hearings in South Vietnam that discovered why the M16 rifle was failing in combat conditions. The Pentagon subsequently authorized changes in design, ammunition, and the cleaning procedures, and the weapon has since performed well. Long was also credited with convincing the Pentagon to designate Fort Polk near Leesville in Vernon Parish as a permanent military installation. He also joined others in the congressional delegation to fight for the development, control, and the navigation of the Red River in [[Arkansas]], Louisiana, [[Oklahoma]], and [[Texas]].

Representative Long served on the Armed Services and the Merchant Marine and Fisheries committees. His subcommittee held hearings in South Vietnam that discovered why the M16 rifle was failing in combat conditions. The Pentagon subsequently authorized changes in design, ammunition, and the cleaning procedures, and the weapon has since performed well. Long was also credited with convincing the Pentagon to designate Fort Polk near Leesville in Vernon Parish as a permanent military installation. He also joined others in the congressional delegation to fight for the development, control, and the navigation of the Red River in [[Arkansas]], Louisiana, [[Oklahoma]], and [[Texas]].