Gordon Dove (Louisiana politician)

Gordon Earl Dove, Sr.
Member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 52 (Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes)
Incumbent
Assumed office 2004
Preceded by	Hunt Downer
Personal details
Born	April 5, 1957 (1957-04-05) (age 54)
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	(1) Christine Bergeron Dove (divorced) (2) Mona Himel Dove
Children	Gordon Dove, Jr. (deceased) Rachael D. Ramirez Angelle D. Marciante Jackie Dove Noelle Dove Stepchildren: Katie Himel Drake Himel Jake Himel
Alma mater	Terrebonne High School Nicholls State University
Occupation	Businessman
Religion	Roman Catholic

Gordon Earl Dove, Sr. (born April 5, 1957), is a businessman from Houma, Louisiana, who is a second-term Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from District 52 in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

Background

Dove was born in Houma to Billy L. Dove, Sr. (1929–1995), and Earline J. Dove (1930–2002).^[1] Dove graduated from Terrebonne High School in Houma and attended Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. He first married Christine Bergeron, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Bergeron, who returned to her maiden name after their divorce. The couple had a son, the late Gordon Dove, Jr., and has four daughters, Rachael Ramirez and husband, Brent; Angelle Marciante and husband, Chad; Jackie Dove, and Noelle Dove. From his second marriage to the former Mona Himel, Dove acquired three stepchildren, Katie Himel, Drake Himel, and Jake Himel.^[2] Dove owns Copeland chain restaurants in Houma and Lafayette. His Vacco Marine is an environmental vessel tank cleaning company. He is also engaged in the cleaning of oil spills. His Doveland Corporation is a real estate firm.^[3]

Dove's only son, Gordon "Bubba" Dove, Jr. (June 7, 1986—March 29, 2009)^[1] had helped his father in the operations of the family holdings. At the time of his death, he was the president of Blue Marlin Oilfield and Equipment Rentals, Inc.^[2] The younger Dove died at twenty-two in a sport utility vehicle accident on Interstate 310 near Destrehan. He was returning to Houma from a charity concert for Hurricane Katrina victims in New Orleans. Young Dove's vehicle careened across the highway, crashed into the right barrier, and overturned several times. His seat belt was not fastened. Partially thrown out the back window and pinned beneath the SUV, he died at the scene.^[4]

State legislature

In 2003, Dove won the seat vacated by unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Hunt Downer, the former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, in a runoff election by only five votes over fellow Republican Tom Watkins, a Houma attorney. Dove was unopposed for his second term in 2007. His principal issue before the legislature has been to secure funding for the maintenance of Louisiana's barrier islands to help protect from coastal erosion and as a defense against hurricanes.^[3]

Originating in southern Houma, District 52 covers both Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes. Fewer than 10 percent of the district lies within the latter Parish. The district is a major base of the offshore oil and gas industry. Oilfield service firms are found on Louisiana State Highway 311 and the Intracoastal Waterway. There are also numerous retailers and franchise restaurants. Through such operations as Southland Mall and the Terrebonne General Medical Center, the district is a regional center for shopping, entertainment, and health care. Houma frequently leads other Louisiana cities in job growth. The second largest Mardi Gras celebration outside New Orleans is held in Houma. The district has a diverse media market with three daily newspapers, a local television channel and talk radio outlets.^[3]

The district includes affluent residential areas in the Houma area and up and coming middle-to-upper-class neighborhoods along Highway 311 and in Summerfield. The area has a strong Cajun influence, as new residents arrive from the eroded coastline. There are small patches of poverty but a low crime rate. The district gave U.S. President George W. Bush 71 percent of the vote in 2004. However, it often supports Democrats of Catholic affiliation and with French surnames. The fishing industry is both commercial and recreational.^[3]

Dove is chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and works to raise awareness of the importance of coastal passes and barrier islands. He supports the north-south corridor for hurricane evacuation and the funding of the hurricane protection system from Morganza to the Gulf of Mexico. Dove also supports the state charity hospital system by removing the Medicare and Medicaid caps placed on the hospitals.^[3]

Dove is unopposed for his third term in the House in the nonpartisan blanket primary scheduled for October 22, 2011.

Louisiana portal

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Social Security Death Index". ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com. http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi. Retrieved July 12, 2011. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Gordon Dove, Jr.". houmatoday.com. http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20090331/OBITS/903319940?tc=ar. Retrieved July 12, 2011. 
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Rep. Dove, Gordon (R)". mobilelgs.com. http://www.mobilelgs.com/DoveGordon.html. Retrieved July 12, 2011. 
4. ^ "Son of Houma state representative dies in I-310 wreck, March 29, 2009". New Orleans Times-Picayune. http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/03/dove.html. Retrieved July 12, 2011. 

Political offices
Preceded by Hunt Downer	Louisiana State Representative from District 52 (Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes) Gordon Earl Dove, Sr. 2004–	Succeeded by Incumbent

Persondata
Name	Dove, Sr., Gordon Earl
Alternative names
Short description	Member of Louisiana State Legislature
Date of birth	April 5, 1957
Place of birth	Houma, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana
Date of death
Place of death