Sixty Rayburn

Benjamin Burras Rayburn, Sr., known as B. B. "Sixty" Rayburn (August 11, 1916 - March 5, 2008), was a veteran politician from Bogalusa, an incorporated city in Washington Parish in southeastern Louisiana in the United States. He was a firm supporter of the region's public hospitals, highways, and its indigenous Southeastern Louisiana University. He served as a populist Democrat in both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature from 1948-1996. Ray... more

Benjamin Burras Rayburn, Sr., known as B. B. "Sixty" Rayburn (August 11, 1916 - March 5, 2008), was a veteran politician from Bogalusa, an incorporated city in Washington Parish in southeastern Louisiana in the United States. He was a firm supporter of the region's public hospitals, highways, and its indigenous Southeastern Louisiana University. He served as a populist Democrat in both houses of the Louisiana State Legislature from 1948-1996. Rayburn's political roots were imbedded in the administrations of Governor Earl Kemp Long, but he was also friendly with later chief executives John J. McKeithen and Edwin Washington Edwards. Even his loud and raspy voice was often compared to that of Earl Long. Rayburn survived generations of social and political change in his adopted home state, including the collapse of legal segregation as well as the rise of women and Republicans to positions of authority. A raconteur, Rayburn entertained many with his lively reminiscences of the historic... less