Question: What Texan holds the record for the longest tenure as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives?
Answer: Sam Rayburn. Born in Tennessee in 1882, he moved with his family to Windom, Texas, in 1887. After working for a few years as a school teacher, he was elected to the Texas House of Representatives, becoming the youngest member ever elected speaker at age 29. He was elected to the U.S. House in 1912 and was continuously reelected until his death in 1961. Rayburn became the Democratic leader in the U.S. House in 1940, serving as speaker until his death for all but four years when Republicans controlled the chamber. As speaker, he helped pass the Lend-Lease Act, fund research for the atomic bomb, and establish the Interstate Highway System, NASA, and the Federal Aviation Administration. Rayburn refused the opportunity to run as FDR’s vice president in 1944. The Rayburn House Office Building and Sam Rayburn Reservoir are named in his honor.
