Bo Ackal
Elias Ackal, Jr., known as Bo Ackal (November 25, 1934 – October 14, 1999),[1] was an American Democratic politician from New Iberia, Louisiana. He served from 1972 to 1996 in the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 48, which includes Iberia Parish and one precinct of St. Martin Parish parishes.[2] He resigned in the first year of his last House term to join the administration of Republican Governor Murphy J. Foster, Jr., as the special assistant for budgeting and taxation. Three years later, he was dead of cancer.[3]
Elias "Bo" Ackal, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Louisiana State Representative for District 48 (Iberia and St. Martin parishes) | |
| In office 1972–1996 | |
| Preceded by | Multi-district delegation: J. Richard "Dickie" Breaux |
| Succeeded by | Errol "Romo" Romero |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 25, 1934 New Iberia, Louisiana, USA |
| Died | October 14, 1999 (aged 64) |
| Cause of death | Cancer |
| Resting place | Holy Family Cemetery and Mausoleum in New Iberia |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Dalel Helo Ackal (married 1955–1999, his death) |
| Children | Camille, Paul, Kalil, John, and Elias, Ackal II Rose-Mary Ackal Peters |
| Parents | Elias, Sr., and Mary Abrusley Ackal |
| Residence | New Iberia, Louisiana |
| Alma mater | University of Louisiana at Lafayette |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | Louisiana Army National Guard (1953-1969) |
Background
Ackal was the son of Elias Ackal, Sr. and the former Mary Abrusley.[4] He attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.[5] From 1953 to 1969, he was a member of the Louisiana Army National Guard, which awarded him in 1981 the "Distinguished Civilian Service Award". From 1955 to 1972, when he entered the legislature, he operated his family's Ackal's General Store and Ackal's Real Estate. From 1979 to 1988, Ackal was the public relations officer and director of the Bank of Iberia. He was affiliated with the Roman Catholic men's organization, the Knights of Columbus, the Woodmen of the World, and the Optimist Club. From 1964 to 1972, Ackal was a member of the Iberia Parish School Board.[3]
Ackal and his wife of 44 years, the former Dalel Helo of Crowley in Acadia Parish, had five sons, Camille, Paul, Kalil, John, and Elias, III, and a daughter, Rose-Mary Ackal Peters.
Legislative service
Originally a legislative ally of Edwin Edwards, ,[6] Ackal rarely faced substantial opposition in his Louisiana House races.[7] [8]
He served on the House Appropriations Committee for ten years, and was vice chairman from 1988 to 1992 and then chairman from 1992 until 1996. In 1994, he predicted state financial disaster with the pending loss of $750 million in federal health care funds and cuts as well in higher education.[9]
He was the vice chairman of the Joint Committee on the Budget for four of his twenty years in office, chairman and vice chairman of the Acadiana legislative delegation, the Interim Emergency Board, and the chairman of the House Legislative Services Committee. He was a member of the Joint Capital Outlay Committee, House Ways and Means Committee, Louisiana Bond Commission, and the trustees of the Louisiana State Employees Office of Group Benefits.[3]
In the 1980 legislative session, Ackal introduced a legislative pay increase which carried in the House by a narrow margin.[6]
Death and legacy
Ackal died in 1999; that year, the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism named the main road and conference center at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park in Iberia Parish in Ackal's honor. The city of New Iberia honored him by naming a newly constructed gazebo/bandstand and meditation garden at City Park the "Elias 'Bo' Ackal, Jr. Meditation Garden and Gazebo." [3] The Louisiana Highway 87 bridge over Bayou Teche on Lewis Street in Iberia Parish is also named for Ackal.[10]
References
- "Elias "Bo" Ackal, Jr". findagrave.com. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- "Membership of the Louisiana House of Representatives: Iberia and St. Martin parishes" (PDF). house.louisiana.gov. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 6, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- "Public Servant Elias "Bo" Ackal, Jr., Succumbs to Cancer". house.legis.state.la.us. October 14, 1999. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- "Elias Ackal, Sr". findagrave.com. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- "Louisiana: Ackal, Elias "Bo", Who's Who in American Politics, 2003-2004, 19th ed., Vol. 1 (Alabama-Montana) (Marquis Who's Who: New Providence, New Jersey, 2003), p. 767
- Ron Gomez (2006). "My Name Is Ron, and I'm a Recovering Legislator: Memoirs of a Louisiana State Representative". Lincoln, Nebraska: iUniverse. pp. 44–45. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- "Michael Lopresto, June 1955". Louisiana Secretary of State. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- "Official Results". Louisiana Secretary of State. October 19, 1991. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
- "Ackal: 1995 will be bust", Minden Press-Herald, September 12, 1994, p. 1
- Justin Hall (April 8, 2011). "Namesakes". The Daily Iberian. Retrieved June 24, 2015.
| Preceded by Multi-district delegation: J. Richard "Dickie" Breaux |
Louisiana State Representative for District 48 (Iberia Parish)
Elias "Bo" Ackal, Jr. |
Succeeded by Errol "Romo" Romero |