Changes

Until the late 1980s, Burns was an independent [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] operator. When the business failed, he launched his bakery despite the odds against success and his having to learn the business from scratch. "I went from crude oil to Crisco oil," Burns said, noting that his [[accountant]], [[banker]]s, and [[attorney]] told him that he had too much debt for his venture to succeed. Nevertheless, the Wooden Spoon had some success: "No one knew I was down and out because I had a smile on my face and never stopped." Burns said that the bakery succeeded because "people respond to cookies ... [as] a reminder of their childhood."<ref>"State Representative offers students encouragement", ''The Shreveport Times'', December 3, 2008.</ref>

Until the late 1980s, Burns was an independent [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]] operator. When the business failed, he launched his bakery despite the odds against success and his having to learn the business from scratch. "I went from crude oil to Crisco oil," Burns said, noting that his [[accountant]], [[banker]]s, and [[attorney]] told him that he had too much debt for his venture to succeed. Nevertheless, the Wooden Spoon had some success: "No one knew I was down and out because I had a smile on my face and never stopped." Burns said that the bakery succeeded because "people respond to cookies ... [as] a reminder of their childhood."<ref>"State Representative offers students encouragement", ''The Shreveport Times'', December 3, 2008.</ref>

   

   

Burns graduated in 1965 from Shongaloo High School. He received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in upper elementary education from [[Northwestern State University]] in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]] and his [[Master of Arts]] in educational administration from [[Pepperdine University]], a [[Churches of Christ]] institution in Malibu in coastal  [[California]].<ref name=pvs/>

Burns graduated in 1965 from Shongaloo High School. He received his [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree in upper elementary education from [[Northwestern State University]] in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]] and his [[Master of Arts]] in educational administration from [[Pepperdine University]], a [[Churches of Christ]] institution in Malibu in coastal  [[California]].<ref name=pvs/>In 2024, he was honored with inclusion in the NSU "Long Purple Line."<ref>"Six honorees to be inducted into Long Purple Line October 26," ''Alumni Columns: Northwestern State University Magazine,'' Fall 2024, p. 4.</ref>

==Military service==

==Military service==

https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/93647/henry-burns#.VVvh88stEuQ|title=Henry L. Burns's Voting Records|publisher=Project Vote Smart|date=May 19, 2015}}</ref>

https://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/93647/henry-burns#.VVvh88stEuQ|title=Henry L. Burns's Voting Records|publisher=Project Vote Smart|date=May 19, 2015}}</ref>

In the state Senate primary in 2015, Burns led a three-candidate field with 10,202 votes (40.3 percent). Ryan Gatti trailed with 8,649 votes (34.2 percent). The Demcorat Todd Hollenshead polled the critical 6,465 votes (25.5 percent).<ref name=octoberreturns/> In the November 21 runoff election, Burns was defeated by 326 votes, 13,698 (49l.4 percent) to Ryan Gatti's 14,023 votes (50.6 percent) to 13,698 (49.4 percent). Burns trailed in his native Webster Parish by 557 votes, 231 votes more than that of his overall loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11212015/11212015_Legislative.html|title=Election Returns|date=November 21, 2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}</ref>

In the state Senate primary in 2015, Burns led a three-candidate field with 10,202 votes (40.3 percent). Ryan Gatti trailed with 8,649 votes (34.2 percent). The Democrat Todd Hollenshead polled the critical 6,465 votes (25.5 percent).<ref name=octoberreturns/> In the November 21 runoff election, Burns was defeated by 326 votes, 13,698 (49l.4 percent) to Ryan Gatti's 14,023 votes (50.6 percent) to 13,698 (49.4 percent). Burns trailed in his native Webster Parish by 557 votes, 231 votes more than that of his overall loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/11212015/11212015_Legislative.html|title=Election Returns|date=November 21, 2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=February 17, 2018}}</ref>

With Burns running for the state Senate, two Republicans contested the primary election to succeed him in the House. To claim Burns' seat, his legislative aide, conservative [[Dodie Horton]] of Haughton, defeated Michael Ray "Mike" McHalffey (born March 1959)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/Home?uid=3301687|title=Michael McHalffey, March 1959|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=September 11, 2015}}</ref> of Benton, the Bossier parish seat of government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/candidates-qualified-in-statewide-elections/|title=Candidates Qualified in Statewide Elections|publisher=KEEL (AM)|accessdate=September 10, 2015|accessdate=September 11, 2015}}</ref> Horton polled 4,584 votes (63.8 percent) to McHalffey's 2,602 (36.2 percent).<ref name=octoberreturns>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10242015/10242015_Legislative.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=October 24, 2015}}</ref>

With Burns running for the state Senate, two Republicans contested the primary election to succeed him in the House. To claim Burns' seat, his legislative aide, conservative [[Dodie Horton]] of Haughton, defeated Michael Ray "Mike" McHalffey (born March 1959)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Home/Home?uid=3301687|title=Michael McHalffey, March 1959|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=September 11, 2015}}</ref> of Benton, the Bossier parish seat of government.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://710keel.com/candidates-qualified-in-statewide-elections/|title=Candidates Qualified in Statewide Elections|publisher=KEEL (AM)|accessdate=September 10, 2015|accessdate=September 11, 2015}}</ref> Horton polled 4,584 votes (63.8 percent) to McHalffey's 2,602 (36.2 percent).<ref name=octoberreturns>{{cite web|url=http://staticresults.sos.la.gov/10242015/10242015_Legislative.html|title=Results for Election Date: 10/24/2015|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=October 24, 2015}}</ref>