Leading The "Young Turks"
Henry graduated from Jonesboro-Hodge High School and obtained his bachelor of arts degree from Baptist-affiliated Baylor University in Waco, Texas, in 1957. Thereafter, he procured his law degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Henry won his legislative seat on February 6, 1968, with a solid victory over his Republican opponent and personal friend, businessman Bob Reese of Jonesboro, later of Natchitoches Parish, where he ran unsuccessfully in 1972 for the state senate against the Democrat Paul L. Foshee. The House seat in Jackson Parish was vacated by a one-term member, Marvin T. Culpepper (1908–1970) of Jonesboro.
In his first term in the legislature, Henry, at thirty-two, led a group of younger members who advocated reforms. Called the "Young Turks," the members urged spending cuts, a decrease in the number of state employees, and reducing the amount of bonded indebtedness. Henry stopped lobbyists from going onto the House floor, and he opened up the committee process, but overall the priorities of the legislature are usually tied to those of the institutionally "strong" governor.
In addition to Henry, the "Young Turks" included then Representative Robert G. "Bob" Jones of Lake Charles, son of former Governor Sam Houston Jones. Jones would later become a state senator and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1975. Other "Young Turks" from around the state who participated in this session were the late John Hainkel, Jr., Ben Bagert, and Thomas Casey, all of New Orleans, P.J. Mills of Shreveport, R. W. "Buzzy" Graham of Alexandria, and Donald Wayne "Don" Williamson of Vivian in north Caddo Parish.
Henry won the Speaker's position after John Sidney Garrett of Haynesville in northern Claiborne Parish was defeated in the primary by Louise B. Johnson. Representative Frank Fulco of Shreveport was attempting to win commitments for Speaker too, but he was unseated in the general election by the Republican Arthur W. "Art" Sour, Jr.
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