MEDIA ADVISORY
FROM
SECRETARY OF STATE
W. FOX MCKEITHEN

Secretary of State W. Fox McKeithen is proud to announce the opening of Louisiana's Old State Capitol's newest exhibit, "Huey Long Live! The Kingfish Speaks!". Coinciding with Long's 111th birthday, this life-size animatronic of Louisiana's former governor will begin its term with a grand opening extravaganza and media preview on August 30, 2004.

The highly realistic animatronic gives visitors the opportunity to see and hear our most famous governor as he truly was, down to the finest detail. As visitors enter the exhibit, the animatronic "Huey" will come to life after a radio announcer makes a remark about subjects near and dear to Huey's heart: paved roads, pot likker, LSU football, poll taxes and more. The animatronic is made of more than 2,000 feet of cables and air hoses, which brings lifelike movement to the pneumatically controlled figure. Electronic devices are used to start and stop movements and a closed loop positional feedback analog gives "Huey" 20 digital moves. Porous silicone stretched over a fiberglass shell keeps the Kingfish looking sharp as he pontificates on his favorite topics from a DMX controlled lighting system.

Long once told reporters that he was "suis generis" (one of a kind) and he was right. No other governor affected the state's political and social climate like Huey Long did. Born in Winnfield, in 1893, Long was elected governor in 1928. While in office, Long provided free textbooks to poor children, paved more than 3,000 miles worth of Louisiana's roads, built bridges and reformed hospitals. Long was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1930 where he worked as champion of the poor. Long had his eye on the 1936 presidential campaign, but was quieted by an assassin's bullet on September 10, 1935.

As part of the museum's commitment to educating Louisiana's youth, a curriculum guide for teachers across the state accompanies the exhibit. Beginning August 31, the first 100 K-5th grade teachers to sign up for a tour will receive an elegant Huey P. Long storybook. The first 100 6th-12th grade teachers will receive an entertaining video featuring clips of Huey in his heyday during the 1930's.

"Huey Long Live! The Kingfish Speaks" will compliment the current Huey Long Assassination Exhibit, which investigates the mystery surrounding his untimely death.

Louisiana's Old State Capitol is nationally renowned for its history and architecture, and includes other exhibits such as the award winning "We the People," "The Governors' Exhibit," the "Louisiana Purchase Exhibit" and more. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Tickets are $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and veterans, and $2 for students. Scheduled school groups and children under 6 are free.

Please make plans to attend our grand opening media preview on August 30.

For more information on the "Huey Long Live! The Kingfish Speaks" exhibit or Louisiana's Old State Capitol, contact Mary Louise Prudhomme, Director, at 225-342-0500. Look for Louisiana's Old State Capitol online in the museums section of the Secretary of State's web site, www.sos.louisiana.gov/osc.