Collection:LPB

Genre: News, Public Affairs

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1983-12-16

Duration: 00:05:29

Subjects: African Americans | Louisiana. Legislature | Louisiana Legislative Session, 1983 | SPECIAL SESSIONS | Apportionment (Election law)

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Johnson, Ken Reporter
• Jefferson, William Interviewee
• Frazier, Lee Interviewee
• Livingston, Bob Speaker

This segment from the December 16, 1983, episode of the series “Louisiana: The State We’re In” features Ken Johnson’s report on the passage of a new Congressional redistricting compromise plan at the Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature, which creates the first African American majority Congressional district in Louisiana history. Johnson reports that a federal court ruled that the original redistricting plan created in 1981 discriminated against African American voters in Orleans Parish. He interviews: State Senator William Jefferson on his belief that the new plan complies with the court’s decision; State Representative Lee Frazier on his plan not to run for the new seat if Congresswoman Lindy Boggs runs for re-election; and Congressman Bob Livingston on his plan to run for re-election in the newly redrawn first district. Host: Beth Courtney