DEATH OF SPEAKER

Press, Volume C, Issue 29674, 18 November 1961, Page 16

DEATH OF SPEAKER

48 Years In Congress

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) BONHAM (Texas), Nov. 17. The Speaker sf the United States Bouse of Representative* (Mr Sam Rayburn) died of cancer yesterday. His death was announced in Washington by the Sergeant at Arms of the House of Representatives (Mr Z. Johnson). Mr Rayburn—known universally as “Mr Sam"—was an American institution and his passing will be mourned by the whole nation. His leadership of the House of Representatives had been almost unchallenged for 21 years. Short, round and balding, Mr Rayburn was a lawyer by profession, and a farmerrancher when Congress was not in session. He was born in Bonham. Texas, on January 6. 1882, and was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1913. He had been a member of Congress ever since. He first became Speaker of the House on September 16, 1940, during the third term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Twice since then he had to vacate the chair to his friend and political opponent, Mr James Martin, of Massachusetts. That was from 1947-49 and from 1953-55 when the Republicans held the majority. But in all the other years since, “Mr Sam” ran the House with an iron will and a loyalty to the Presidents he served.