Russell B. Long

**Russell Billiu Long** (November 3, 1918 – May 9, 2003) was an American Democratic politician who was a U.S. senator from Louisiana from 1948 to 1987. He was the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee for fifteen years, from 1966 to 1981.

Long was the son of Louisiana Governor and U.S. Senator Huey Long and worked during the administrations of eight U.S. presidents: from Harry Truman to Ronald Reagan.

## Personal life

Russell Billiu Long was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on November 3, 1918. Originally named Huey Pierce Long III, his father arrived shortly after his birth and changed his name to Russell. He was named for Russell Billiu, his mother's favorite cousin.

Long received his bachelor's degree from Louisiana State University in 1939 and his law degree from Louisiana State University Law Center in 1942.

## Senate career

As chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, Long looked over 100 percent of all federal revenue and 40 percent of all government spending, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment insurance, welfare and food assistance programs, foreign trade, and tariffs.

In 1980 he was voted the most effective chairman and most effective debater by his colleagues in a _U.S. News & World Report_ survey. In a 1982 survey, Long was voted the most influential Democrat by his Senate colleagues. The _Wall Street Journal_ once called him "the fourth branch of government" because of his role as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

At the time of his retirement in 1987, Long had a 75 percent approval rating among Louisiana voters.

## Death

Long died at his home in Washington, D.C., of heart failure on May 9, 2003, at the age of 84.

## Other websites

- Cemetery Memorial by La-Cemeteries
- A debunking of the Russell Long scene in _JFK_
- Long Families of Corinth and Zion – Winn Parish, LA
- Long Law Firm

## Infobox (officeholder)

- **image**: Russell B. Long.jpg
- **office**: Chair of the United States Senate Committee on Finance, Senate Finance Committee
- **term start**: January 10, 1966
- **term end**: January 3, 1981
- **predecessor**: Harry F. Byrd
- **successor**: Bob Dole
- **office1**: Party leaders of the United States Senate, Senate Majority Whip
- **leader1**: Mike Mansfield
- **term start1**: January 3, 1965
- **term end1**: January 3, 1969
- **predecessor1**: Hubert Humphrey
- **successor1**: Ted Kennedy
- **jr/sr2**: United States Senator
- **state2**: Louisiana
- **term start2**: December 31, 1948
- **term end2**: January 3, 1987
- **predecessor2**: William C. Feazel
- **successor2**: John Breaux
- **birth name**: Russell Billiu Long
- **birth place**: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States, U.S.
- **death place**: Washington, D.C., United States, U.S.
- **party**: Democratic Party (United States), Democratic
- **spouse**:

- **children**: 2
- **parents**: Huey Long (father)
Rose McConnell Long, Rose McConnell (mother)
- **relatives**: Earl Long (uncle)
George S. Long (uncle)
Gillis William Long (cousin)
Speedy Long (cousin)
Jimmy D. Long, Jimmy Long (cousin)
Gerald Long (cousin)
- **education**: Louisiana State University (Bachelor of Arts, BA, Bachelor of Laws, LLB)
- **serviceyears**: 1942–1945
- **rank**: Lieutenant
- **unit**: United States Navy Reserve
- **battles**: World War II:
Operation Torch (Northern Africa)
Allied invasion of Sicily
Allied invasion of Italy
Operation Dragoon (Southern France)
- **mawards**: Four Service star, Battle stars for service in North Africa and Europe