Sixty Rayburn - Legacy

Legacy

Then Louisiana State Senate President Joel Chaisson, a Democrat from Destrehan in St. Charles Parish, who began his legislative career during Rayburn's final term in the chamber, said that the Senate has "lost a dear friend and former colleague, (and) the people of Louisiana have lost a dedicated, compassionate public servant. Throughout his decades of service, Sixty prided himself as the voice of the little people, rightly reminding us at every opportunity that Louisiana belongs to everyone. . . . We will miss his wit, frankness and great oratorical style. We will not forget his love for Louisiana."

Former Governor Treen of Mandeville recalled Rayburn as a legislator who was always reliable: "I remember that he was very straightforward - dependable. You knew where he was, and where he was going."

Former Republican Governor Murphy J. "Mike" Foster, Jr., who served as a Democrat with Rayburn in the state Senate, called his former colleague: "bigger than life, a great orator, and a powerful member of the legislature."

Imprisoned former Governor Edwards released a statement: "His repeated re-election is proof of his service to his constituents. A giant has moved from the political scene, and he will be missed. I extend my sympathy to his family and friends and regret I will not be able to attend his services."

In 1993, Rayburn was among the first dozen inductees into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in Winnfield, along with former Governors Edwin Edwards, Huey Pierce Long, Jr., and Earl Long; former U.S. Representative Hale Boggs of New Orleans, and former New Orleans Mayor Ernest "Dutch" Morial.

On August 31, 2006, the Washington Correctional Institute in Washington Parish was renamed the B.B. "Sixty" Rayburn Correctional Center. The facility, which was a capacity for some 1,132 inmates, employs 400 persons and has an annual budget of $23 million.

In 1978, Senate Concurrent Resolution 135 named the LSU Veterinary School as the Rayburn School of Veterinary Science.

Rayburn's memorabilia are in a substantial collection in the Rayburn Room of Center for Southeast Louisiana Studies of the Linus A. Sims Memorial Library at Southeastern Louisiana University.