F. Edward Hébert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
F. Edward Hébert
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana's 1st district |
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| In office January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1977 |
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| Preceded by | Joachim O. Fernández |
| Succeeded by | Richard A. Tonry |
| Chair of the House Armed Services Committee |
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| In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1975 |
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| Preceded by | Philip J. Philbin |
| Succeeded by | Charles Melvin Price |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Felix Edward Hébert
October 12, 1901 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Died | December 29, 1979 (aged 78) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Resting place | Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum, New Orleans, Louisiana |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Gladys Bofill
(m. 1934) |
| Relations | John M. Duhé Jr. (Son-in-law) |
| Children | Dawn Marie Hébert |
| Alma mater | Tulane University |
| Profession | Journalist |
Felix Edward Hébert (/eɪˈbɛər/ AY-bear; October 12, 1901 – December 29, 1979) was an American journalist and politician from Louisiana. He served as a Democrat in the United States House of Representatives for 18 terms. He represented the New Orleans area, specifically Louisiana's 1st congressional district, from 1941 until he retired in 1977. He holds the record as Louisiana's longest-serving U.S. representative.
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Early Life and Education
Felix Edward Hébert was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father, Felix Joseph Hébert, worked as a streetcar conductor, and his mother, Lea Naquin, was a teacher. As a child, he loved sports. However, a shooting accident at age nine caused him to lose sight in his left eye, meaning he could no longer play.
Instead, at Jesuit High School, he became the manager for all the sports teams. He started reporting on high school sports for The Times-Picayune newspaper. He even became the paper's assistant sports editor before finishing high school. Later, at Tulane University, he was the first sports editor for the student newspaper, the Hullabaloo.
Journalism Career
Hébert finished his studies at Tulane University in 1924. He then worked in public relations for Loyola University in New Orleans. He also continued his journalism career with The Times-Picayune and the New Orleans States newspapers.
As a front-page writer and political editor, he covered the political rise of Huey Long, who became Governor and later a U.S. Senator. In 1939, Hébert helped uncover a major political scandal in Louisiana. This investigation showed corruption among some politicians. His work helped lead to the jailing of Governor Richard W. Leche and James Monroe Smith, who was the president of Louisiana State University. For his brave journalism, The Times-Picayune won an award called the Sigma Delta Chi plaque.
Later in life, Hébert often said he didn't see himself as a politician. He liked to call himself "an old reporter on a long break."
Political Career in Congress
Hébert's work as a journalist helped him get elected to the 77th United States Congress in 1940. He served in the United States House of Representatives until 1977. He chose not to run for re-election for a nineteenth term. His long time in office set a record for service in the U.S. House of Representatives from Louisiana.
After Hébert retired, Richard Alvin Tonry briefly took his place. Then, Bob Livingston became the first Republican to represent the district since the Reconstruction Era. Since then, the seat has continued to be held by Republicans, including David Vitter, Bobby Jindal, and Steve Scalise.
Serving on the Armed Services Committee
Hébert joined the United States House Committee on Armed Services. This committee helps make decisions about the U.S. military and defense. He was named chairman of the committee's Special Investigations subcommittee.
Chairman of the Committee
From 1971 to 1975, Hébert was the chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services. As chairman, he helped bring a lot of military funding and projects to his home district in Louisiana.
In 1975, he was removed from his role as chairman. This happened because many younger and more liberal members of the House Democratic Caucus wanted to change the seniority system. This system meant that the longest-serving members often became chairmen. Many of these newer members were not happy with some of his traditional views. Even though he was removed, leaders in Louisiana praised Hébert for his many years of experience. They noted that his work had created thousands of jobs and brought millions of dollars into the state.
Personal Life and Family
On August 1, 1934, F. Edward Hébert married Gladys Bofill. They had one daughter named Dawn Marie. Dawn Marie later married John Malcolm Duhé Jr., who became a judge for the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Dawn Hébert was also the first woman president of the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce.
Illness and Death
In 1975, Hébert broke his arm after slipping on ice. In 1979, he began to suffer from congestive heart failure. He passed away on December 29, 1979, in New Orleans at Hôtel-Dieu Hospital. A special church service was held for him at St. Louis Cathedral. Hébert is buried next to his wife in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum in New Orleans.
Legacy
F. Edward Hébert played a key role in founding the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. The medical school at that university, the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, is named in his honor.
On January 28, 2012, Hébert was recognized for his contributions. He was added to the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield after his death.
A building at Hébert's old university, Tulane University, is named F. Edward Hébert Hall. This building houses several departments, including History and Africana Studies. In 2017, students at Tulane asked for the building to be renamed. They pointed out that Hébert had supported segregation in the past. The university looked into changing the name. However, they were not able to reach an agreement with the Hébert family. So, the building's name remains the same. Starting in the 2022-23 school year, Hébert Hall will have information displayed that explains the history of its naming.
See also
- List of members of the House Un-American Activities Committee
