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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>

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>

==Attending Democratic conventions==

===Attending Democratic conventions===

Passman became politically active as a delegate to the [[Democratic National Convention]]s in 1948, 1952, and 1956. In 1948, delegates from [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]] walked out of the convention in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] and supported then Governor [[Strom Thurmond]] of [[South Carolina]], who opposed President [[Harry Truman]] and instead ran for president as the nominee of the new [[Dixiecrat|States' Rights Party]]. The Thurmond forces opposed the [[civil rights]] plank inserted in the Democratic national platform. In Louisiana, Thurmond and his running-mate, Mississippi Governor Fielding Wright, were the official Democratic nominees and hence won the state's then ten [[electoral vote]]s, since eight electoral votes.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 334.</ref>

Passman became politically active as a delegate to the [[Democratic National Convention]]s in 1948, 1952, and 1956. In 1948, delegates from [[Mississippi]] and [[Alabama]] walked out of the convention in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]] and supported then Governor [[Strom Thurmond]] of [[South Carolina]], who opposed President [[Harry Truman]] and instead ran for president as the nominee of the new [[Dixiecrat|States' Rights Party]]. The Thurmond forces opposed the [[civil rights]] plank inserted in the Democratic national platform. In Louisiana, Thurmond and his running-mate, Mississippi Governor Fielding Wright, were the official Democratic nominees and hence won the state's then ten [[electoral vote]]s, since eight electoral votes.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 334.</ref>

In 1952, at the [[Chicago]] convention, Passman supported U.S. Senator [[Richard Brevard Russell Jr.]] (1897–1971) of [[Georgia]], who was an unsuccessful contender for the nomination. Passman was a delegate to the 1956 convention, also held in Chicago, where delegates re-nominated former Governor [[Adlai Stevenson]] of [[Illinois]] to once again to challenge Republican nominee [[Dwight Eisenhower]]. That fall Stevenson became the first Democratic presidential nominee since [[Reconstruction]] to lose in Louisiana.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 334.</ref>​

In 1952, at the [[Chicago]] convention, Passman supported U.S. Senator [[Richard Brevard Russell Jr.]] (1897–1971) of [[Georgia]], who was an unsuccessful contender for the nomination. Passman was a delegate to the 1956 convention, also held in Chicago, where delegates re-nominated former Governor [[Adlai Stevenson]] of [[Illinois]] to once again to challenge Republican nominee [[Dwight Eisenhower]]. That fall Stevenson became the first Democratic presidential nominee since [[Reconstruction]] to lose in Louisiana.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 334.</ref>

==Thirty years in Congress==

===Thirty years in Congress===

[[File:Otto Passman.jpg|thumb|right|140px]]

[[File:Otto Passman.jpg|thumb|right|140px]]

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.​

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 and Dodd come to blows==

===Passman and Dodd come to blows===

Passman did not run for any statewide office, but he became involved in the 1951–1952 gubernatorial campaign as a supporter of outgoing Governor [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], who was then term-limited.<ref>Ellen Blue, "The 'Political Animal' Otto Passman and the 1952 Gubernatorial Race in Louisiana," ''[[North Louisiana History]]'' (Fall 2000).</ref>

Passman did not run for any statewide office, but he became involved in the 1951–1952 gubernatorial campaign as a supporter of outgoing Governor [[Earl Long|Earl Kemp Long]], who was then term-limited.<ref>Ellen Blue, "The 'Political Animal' Otto Passman and the 1952 Gubernatorial Race in Louisiana," ''[[North Louisiana History]]'' (Fall 2000).</ref>

Thereafter, Passman sent Dodd an apologetic letter: "I have always considered you one of my best friends ... Bill, I am sorry that the unpleasant incidents of the last gubernatorial campaign had to mar our long friendship. I hope that our differences have been resolved, and we may now renew our friendship." Passman also issued a public statement saying that Dodd had not enriched himself while in public office, despite contrary reports presented to Passman. Such reports had come from Earl Long, who was then temporarily estranged from Dodd, but Passman never mentioned the source.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 338.</ref>

Thereafter, Passman sent Dodd an apologetic letter: "I have always considered you one of my best friends ... Bill, I am sorry that the unpleasant incidents of the last gubernatorial campaign had to mar our long friendship. I hope that our differences have been resolved, and we may now renew our friendship." Passman also issued a public statement saying that Dodd had not enriched himself while in public office, despite contrary reports presented to Passman. Such reports had come from Earl Long, who was then temporarily estranged from Dodd, but Passman never mentioned the source.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 338.</ref>

==Opposition to foreign aid==

===Opposition to foreign aid===

 

Passman chaired a pivotal House subcommittee that ruled on foreign aid appropriations. He took the view of Doug Bandow, a former scholar with the [[Cato Institute]], that foreign aid involves "taking money from poor people in rich countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries." He claimed that foreign aid is often harmful because it propped up despotic regimes that might otherwise have collapsed from corruption, failure, or unpopularity. Passman could not remove foreign aid from the budget, but he frequently was able to cut the program wherever he could.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' pp. 335-336.</ref>​

Passman chaired a pivotal House subcommittee that ruled on foreign aid appropriations. He took the view of Doug Bandow, a former scholar with the [[Cato Institute]], that foreign aid involves "taking money from poor people in rich countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries." He claimed that foreign aid is often harmful because it propped up despotic regimes that might otherwise have collapsed from corruption, failure, or unpopularity. Passman could not remove foreign aid from the budget, but he frequently was able to cut the program wherever he could.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' pp. 335-336.</ref>​

''Louisiana History,'' p. 336.</ref>​

''Louisiana History,'' p. 336.</ref>​

==Segregationist in his time==

===Segregationist in his time===

 

Like nearly all of his southern colleagues, Passman in 1956 signed the [[Southern Manifesto]] to voice objection to the [[Segregation|desegregation]] decision of the [[United States Supreme Court]], ''[[Brown v. Board of Education]].'' Like most of his constituents, Passman supported segregation. Congress struck down racial discrimination in the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]], and by August 1970, all of the public schools in Louisiana had been desegregated, and the issue quickly waned.​<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 339.</ref>​

Like nearly all of his southern colleagues, Passman in 1956 signed the [[Southern Manifesto]] to voice objection to the [[Segregation|desegregation]] decision of the [[United States Supreme Court]], ''[[Brown v. Board of Education]].'' Like most of his constituents, Passman supported segregation. Congress struck down racial discrimination in the [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]], and by August 1970, all of the public schools in Louisiana had been desegregated, and the issue quickly waned.​<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 339.</ref>​

==Charged with sexual discrimination==

===Charged with sexual discrimination===

 

In 1974, Passman dismissed a female employee from his office, Shirley Davis, because he preferred a man in her position. Davis sued Passman and won a judgment, affirmed by the Supreme Court in 1979 (''Davis v. Passman''), which held that Passman's action constituted [[sexual discrimination]]. The case remains an important precedent in holding that there is an implied right of action against U.S. congressmen for such discrimination. As such, it recognized a citizen's right to bring a suit against elected federal representatives for violation of constitutional rights.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' pp. 340-341.</ref>​

In 1974, Passman dismissed a female employee from his office, Shirley Davis, because he preferred a man in her position. Davis sued Passman and won a judgment, affirmed by the Supreme Court in 1979 (''Davis v. Passman''), which held that Passman's action constituted [[sexual discrimination]]. The case remains an important precedent in holding that there is an implied right of action against U.S. congressmen for such discrimination. As such, it recognized a citizen's right to bring a suit against elected federal representatives for violation of constitutional rights.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' pp. 340-341.</ref>​

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==Legal troubles==

===Legal troubles===

 

In 1978, Passman was implicated in the Tongsun Park scandal, by which time his congressional service had already ended a year earlier. Media reports of the scandal began in 1975–1976, and they worked to sink Passman's reelection. A South Korean businessman, Tongsun Park described himself as an "American success story," when he came to the attention of the [[FBI]]. Park lavished valuable gifts to prominent politicians in an influence peddling scheme known as "Koreagate."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congressionalbadboys.com/Koreagate.htm|title=Koreagate|publisher=congressionalbadboys|accessdate=January 8, 2020}}</ref> The scandal involved alleged [[bribery]] of over a hundred sitting or former members of Congress, including Louisiana Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. In April 1978, Park sat before [[television]] cameras in a U.S. House hearing and listed a long list of payments — mostly in cash — to some thirty members of Congress. He said that he had given the money in little white envelopes. Only ten members of Congress were seriously implicated. Three avoided prosecution through the expiration of the [[statute of limitations]]. Passman was not immediately prosecuted because of illness.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 341.</ref>​

In 1978, Passman was implicated in the Tongsun Park scandal, by which time his congressional service had already ended a year earlier. Media reports of the scandal began in 1975–1976, and they worked to sink Passman's reelection. A South Korean businessman, Tongsun Park described himself as an "American success story," when he came to the attention of the [[FBI]]. Park lavished valuable gifts to prominent politicians in an influence peddling scheme known as "Koreagate."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.congressionalbadboys.com/Koreagate.htm|title=Koreagate|publisher=congressionalbadboys|accessdate=January 8, 2020}}</ref> The scandal involved alleged [[bribery]] of over a hundred sitting or former members of Congress, including Louisiana Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. In April 1978, Park sat before [[television]] cameras in a U.S. House hearing and listed a long list of payments — mostly in cash — to some thirty members of Congress. He said that he had given the money in little white envelopes. Only ten members of Congress were seriously implicated. Three avoided prosecution through the expiration of the [[statute of limitations]]. Passman was not immediately prosecuted because of illness.<ref>''Louisiana History,'' p. 341.</ref>​

Passman lived another nine years after the acquittal.​

Passman lived another nine years after the acquittal.​

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===Anger over primary defeat===

==Anger over primary defeat==

Passman faced few election challenges over the years. In 1970, with 47,172 votes, he easily defeated two challengers, Monroe attorney Paul Henry Kidd, Sr. (1935–2011) and State Representative David Ivy Patten (1923–1998) of Catahoula Parish, who received 15,391 and 13,855, respectively. In 1972, Patten again challenged Passman, as did State Senator Charles M. Brown (1919–1992) of Tallulah in Madison Parish. Passman prevailed that year too with 67,176 votes (60.6 percent), to Brown's 34,314 (30.9 percent) and Patten's 9,299 (8.4 percent).<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 Henry Kidd, Sr. (1935–2011) and State Representative David Ivy Patten (1923–1998) of Catahoula Parish, who received 15,391 and 13,855, respectively. In 1972, Patten again challenged Passman, as did State Senator Charles M. Brown (1919–1992) of Tallulah in Madison Parish. Passman prevailed that year too with 67,176 votes (60.6 percent), to Brown's 34,314 (30.9 percent) and Patten's 9,299 (8.4 percent).<ref>''Louisiana Almanac,'' 2006.</ref>​

==Death and legacy==

==Death and legacy==

Passman was a [[Southern Baptist]]. He once served as grand master of the Louisiana Masonic lodge. He was also a member of the American Legion. A tall, lanky, ectomorphic man who wore dark-rimmed eyeglasses. Passman was twice married. In 1931, he wed the former Willie Lenora Bateman (1900–1984). After Willie's death, he quickly moved out of their home and sold it. In the latter part of 1985, he married his secretary, Martha.<ref name=obit>"Passman Victim of Heart Attack," ''[[Monroe News Star]],'' August 14, 1988, p. 1.</ref>​

Passman was a [[Southern Baptist]]. He once served as grand master of the Louisiana Masonic lodge. He was also a member of the American Legion. A tall, lanky, ectomorphic man who wore dark-rimmed eyeglasses. Passman was twice married. In 1931, he wed the former Willie Lenora Bateman (1900–1984). After Willie's death, he quickly moved out of their home and sold it. In the latter part of 1985, he married his secretary, Martha.<ref name=obit>"Passman Victim of Heart Attack," ''[[Monroe News Star]],'' August 14, 1988, p. 1.</ref>​