Introduction
E. L. "Bubba" Henry (born February 10, 1936) is an American lawyer, lobbyist, and politician in Louisiana. He served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1968 to 1980 and was Speaker of the House from 1972 to 1980, the choice of incoming Governor Edwin Edwards. Under Governor Dave Treen, he served as commissioner of administration from 1980-1984. During his tenure in the House, he led a group of younger members called the "Young Turks," who urged for spending cuts, reducing the number of state employees, and reducing the amount of bonded indebtedness.
He is a partner of the law firm Adams and Reese in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with former state Insurance Commissioner J. Robert Wooley.
Early life and education
E. L. Henry was born Edgerton L. Henry in Jonesboro, Louisiana, on February 10, 1936.
After graduating from Jonesboro-Hodge High School, Jonesboro, Louisiana, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University, Waco, Texas, in 1957. He then received his law degree from the Paul M. Hebert School of Law at Louisiana State University in 1961.
Career
Admitted to the Louisiana Bar in 1961, Henry practiced law in Jonesboro, Louisiana, until 1980. In 1979, he finished in a weak fifth place in the nonpartisan blanket primary in his bid to succeed Edwards as governor. Thereafter, he was commissioner of administration for the new governor, Republican David C. Treen, then of Metairie in Jefferson Parish. After Treen left office, Henry retired from elective and appointive office to concentrate on his law practice and lobbying activities. He joined the law firm of Adams and Reese in 1987. One of his major clients is State Farm Insurance, and he lobbies on behalf of the payday lending industry in Louisiana as a representative of the Community Financial Services Association of America.
One of his colleagues at Adams and Reese law firm is former state Insurance Commissioner J. Robert Wooley.
In 2012, Henry was inducted into the Louisiana Political Hall of Fame in Winnfield.
Personal life
In 1958, Henry married Frances Turner Henry. They have two children, Patrick E. Henry and Lori Henry Taylor.