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Dimos (pronounced "DEE MOSE") is a native of the Republic of [[Macedonia]]. He [[immigrant|immigrated]] to the [[United States]] in 1951. His future Louisiana House colleague, [[Ron Gomez]] of [[Lafayette]], described him, accordingly, when he nominated Dimos to be the House Speaker:​

Dimos (pronounced "DEE MOSE") is a native of the Republic of [[Macedonia]]. He [[immigrant|immigrated]] to the [[United States]] in 1951. His future Louisiana House colleague, [[Ron Gomez]] of [[Lafayette]], described him, accordingly, when he nominated Dimos to be the House Speaker:​

"This is a man who arrived alone in [[New York City]] at age 12 after a lonely flight from his home in [[Belgrade]], [[Yugoslavia]]. He could not speak Englis]. He would not see his mother for another six months when she would finally be allowed to come to America. In New York, this 12-year-old found that his continuing flights to Monroe,Louisiana, where his father waited, could not be completed for two more days. From this shaky start in this new world, Jimmy Dimos proceeded to learn English, put himself through high school, college and law school and serve three previous disntinguished terms in this House of Representatives. Yes, he is a man of courage -- a man of integrity, and a man who I am proud to nominate as Speaker. May we stand united. He and we who are committed to working toward those changes so desperately needed in this state will need your understanding, your guidance, you tolerance and . . . your prayers."<ref>[[Ron Gomez]], ''My Name Is Ron And I'm a Recovering Legislator: Memoirs of a Louisiana State Representative'', [[Lafayette, Louisiana|Lafayette]], [[Louisiana]]: Zemog Publishing, 2000, ISBN 0-9700156-0-7, pp. 190-191.</ref>​

"This is a man who arrived alone in [[New York City]] at age 12 after a lonely flight from his home in [[Belgrade]], [[Yugoslavia]]. He could not speak Englis]. He would not see his mother for another six months when she would finally be allowed to come to America. In New York, this 12-year-old found that his continuing flights to Monroe,Louisiana, where his father waited, could not be completed for two more days. From this shaky start in this new world, Jimmy Dimos proceeded to learn English, put himself through high school, college and law school and serve three previous disntinguished terms in this House of Representatives. Yes, he is a man of courage -- a man of integrity, and a man who I am proud to nominate as Speaker. May we stand united. He and we who are committed to working toward those changes so desperately needed in this state will need your understanding, your guidance, you tolerance and . . . your prayers."<ref>[[Ron Gomez]], ''My Name Is Ron And I'm a Recovering Legislator: Memoirs of a Louisiana State Representative'', [[Lafayette]], [[Louisiana]]: Zemog Publishing, 2000, ISBN 0-9700156-0-7, pp. 190-191.</ref>​

In 1956, Dimos graduated from Neville High School in Monroe. In 1960, he received his bachelor's degree from the  [[University of Louisiana at Monroe]] (then Northeast Louisiana State College). In 1963, Dimos garnered a degree from the [[Tulane University]] Law School in [[New Orleans]]. The next year he was admitted to the bar and joined the McKeithen, Mouser and McKinley law firm. The "McKeithen" in the partnership was [[John J. McKeithen]] of Columbia in Caldwell Parish, who served as [[governor]] from 1964 to 1972.​<ref name=enlou>{{cite web|url=http://www.enlou.com/officeholders/housedistrict16.htm|title=Jimmy Dimos|publisher=enlou.com (website no longer on line.}}</ref>

In 1956, Dimos graduated from Neville High School in Monroe. In 1960, he received his bachelor's degree from the  [[University of Louisiana at Monroe]] (then Northeast Louisiana State College). In 1963, Dimos garnered a degree from the [[Tulane University]] Law School in [[New Orleans]]. The next year he was admitted to the bar and joined the McKeithen, Mouser and McKinley law firm. The "McKeithen" in the partnership was [[John J. McKeithen]] of Columbia in Caldwell Parish, who served as [[governor]] from 1964 to 1972.​<ref name=enlou>{{cite web|url=http://www.enlou.com/officeholders/housedistrict16.htm|title=Jimmy Dimos|publisher=enlou.com (website no longer on line.}}</ref>

Dimos is married to the former Dale Guilkey. They have four children — John, Laura, Myra, and Christy.​<ref name=enlou/> Before he entered the legislature, Dimos was the executive director from 1971 to 1972 of the Miss Louisiana Pageant. In his younger years, he was active in the Louisiana Jaycees. Thereafter, he was in the [[Chamber of Commerce]] and Rotary International. He is [[Episcopalian]].​<ref name=enlou/>

Dimos is married to the former Dale Guilkey. They have four children — John, Laura, Myra, and Christy.​<ref name=enlou/> Before he entered the legislature, Dimos was the executive director from 1971 to 1972 of the Miss Louisiana Pageant. In his younger years, he was active in the Louisiana Jaycees. Thereafter, he was in the [[Chamber of Commerce]] and Rotary International. He is [[Episcopalian]].​<ref name=enlou/>

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==Legislative service, 1976 to 1999==

==Legislative service, 1976 to 1999==

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