Senator Sam Rayburn

Samuel Rayburn was born, in a countryside region of Roane County, Tennessee, on January 6, 1882. When he was five years old, Rayburn, along with his siblings and parents, moved to Flag Springs, Texas where they stayed on a fifty-acre cotton farm and every person in the fourteen-member family had did their part to make the farm cost-effective and profitable.Rayburn's curiosity in government was greatly influenced by the family's move, and many people believe that his inquisitiveness intensified due to the "grand golden age of Texas political affairs.

" When he worked in the cotton farm, Rayburn used to imagine himself making frequent political speeches and participating in discussions with present government leaders. Rayburn recalled later in life that it was at some point in one of these flights of thoughts that he became certain that he would take up a career in politics and law.Even though he was rather young, merely nine years old, Rayburn recalled, "After making that decision. I never became anxious about what I was supposed to do." Rayburn graduated from East Texas Normal College (known as Texas A&M University) in 1903.

Throughout his duration of service in House of Representatives, Rayburn took lessons at the Texas University, Austin and in 1908 he passed the Texas bar exam. In 1943, Muhlenberg College conferred the first of 8 Doctor of Laws degrees to Sam Rayburn.Rayburn's contributions while in Office (1906-1961)In 1906, Sam Rayburn joined the Texas House of Representatives after winning a seat, where he worked as a delegate of the 9th District. He successfully became re-elected for two further terms, and, became the Speaker of the House in 1912. The same year in the Texas House he was voted in to work as a Democratic Representative to the United States House of Representatives. This successful re election started off his forty-Seven year profession of nonstop service in Washington.

Between 1932 and 1938, he was the chairman of the Foreign Commerce Committee and Interstate. Rayburn gave a lot of support to many new arrangement legislation proposed by the Roosevelt government from 1934 to 1937. Rayburn was actively involved in the implementation of the Truth in Securities Act, which provided the legal base for founding the Securities and Exchange Commission.Rayburn was actively involved in the passing of the Federal Communications Commission act, as well as the establishment of Public Utilities Holding Company Act, and also the Emergency Railroad Transportation Act.Of particular significance to Rayburn was his joint effort with George W. Norris in supporting the Rural Electrification Act.

The Rural Electrification Act was intended to help large countryside areas occupied mainly by farms through providing financial support and association of electric cooperatives in these regions.Rayburn's own experience after being raised in a rural regions and working in a farm which didn't have electricity offered him a private understanding of the need to pass the REA act in order to enhance the progress of rural communities.In 1973 Congressman Sam Rayburn was voted in as majority leader of the seventy fifth Congress. Rayburn was elected as speaker of the house to replace William Bankhead who had passed away, in 1940, he held this position for seventeen years which was a record number.

During the eightieth and eighty third Congresses, he worked as minority leader the 2 terms in which Republican were majorities in the House of Representatives.Rayburn worked with 8 presidents during his time as the speaker and supported several key legislation and policies all through his career, plus the expansion of the Selective Service Act done in 1941.Rayburn served as the Speaker during the world wars and was active in garnering assistance to sponsor the Manhattan Project.Collier's Magazine acknowledged Rayburn for his exceptional congressional work to the nation, and honored him with ten thousand dollars award. 12 years later, Rayburn was awarded the Cordell Hull Award as gratitude for his "long caution over overseas trade activities and his support of liberal guidelines and policies.

"The Speaker was awarded the "Award for Exceptional Republican Public Service." An independent, and non-partisan association, gave him the award citing Rayburn's nonstop adherence to the values of representative administration. When presenting the award, the association principally referred to Rayburn's "support of democracy and championing of powerful national defense," not excluding his " 1/2 century of championing for sound laws for that works as a acknowledgment to his faith in God, nation, fellowman, and himself." Rayburn was acknowledged as being the essence of "what enables America to be great.

"Although many people knew him as "Mr. Democrat," Rayburn permanently chaired the national Democratic convention in 1949, 1953, and 1957 many referred to him as Honorary Chairman.All through his time in politics, Rayburn became known for his ability to balance his firm sense of devotion, with the desire to meet the needs of the American people. In spite of achieving the status of Speaker in Washington, many people still saw him as "informal" and a "down to earth kind of person" who returned to his house in Bonham every time Congress adjourned for the sitting. At home, Rayburn would organize to meet his constituents regarding their needs, affirming that his responsibility to the constituents was not over.

When the library opened, Rayburn used the replica office as a place to hold gatherings.The duration between 1958 and 1962, as Rayburn utilized the Rayburn Library, a number of major successes occurred in American government. Congress voted for the passing of the Civil Rights Act, In 1957, the 1st Civil Rights law since Reconstruction. One more Civil Rights Act was passed by congress. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was formed to provide national direction over the country's space program.

Hawaii and Alaska were acknowledged as the forty ninth and fiftieth states in the US. The National Defense Education Act, in 1958 stipulated the 1st major federal contribution to communal schooling since Reconstruction. The passing of the Hospital Survey and Construction Act in 1958 was the 1st law which provided federal support for building and construction of healthcare and hospitals facilities.Sam Rayburn achieved much during his carrier through fulfilling his passion to be a politician, and he remains a foundation of pride for citizens in northeast Texas.

Rayburn died in Bonham on 16th November, 1961, and was buried a few blocks from the Rayburn Library within Willow Wild Cemetery compound, on November 18.