Landrieu, Moon (Maurice Edwin), 1930-
Dates
- Existence: 1930-
Biographical Statement
Maurice Landrieu is a former politician, judge, and mayor of New Orleans, and was born in New Orleans in 1930. Landrieu attended Loyola University for his undergraduate and law degrees and joined the United States Army upon graduating, leaving after three years. He began his political career in the 1950s when he opened his own law practice and taught accounting classes at Loyola University. Landrieu was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 1960 and was elected Councilman-at-Large in 1966. Landrieu was elected mayor of New Orleans in the 1970 election and reelected in 1974, preceding Ernest Morial. During his time in politics Landrieu oversaw desegregation of city government, obtained federal funds for revitalization of low-income neighborhoods, and was involved in the planning and construction of the Superdome in New Orleans. Landrieu also served as the president of the United States Conference of Mayors in 1975-1976. After leaving the mayoral office, Landrieu served as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), was a judge of the Louisiana 4th Circuit Court of Appeals from 1992 until his retirement in 2000, and was inducted into the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in 2004. His son Mitch Landrieu became mayor of New Orleans in 2010 and his daughter Mary Landrieu is a former U.S. Senator for Louisiana.