Albert, Carl Bert, 46th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives (1971-1977); Leader of the House Democratic Caucus (1971-1977); House Majority Leader (1962-1971); House Majority Whip (1955-1962); U.S. House of Representatives from Oklahoma's
Person
Carl Albert was born in McAlester, Oklahoma on May 10, 1908. His father was a coal miner and farmer. In high school, Albert became the student body president and won a national high school oratory contest.
He enrolled in the University of Oklahoma in 1927. In 1931, he earned a Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford. After completing his studies abroad, he opened a law practice in Oklahoma City in 1935, where he worked for several oil companies until the beginning of World War II.
Albert served in the Judge Advocate General Corps during World War II. He earned the Bronze Star for his work in the Pacific Theater and left the military with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1946. During the war he also married Mary Harmon, with whom he had two children: Mary Frances and David.
In 1946, Albert won his first election to Congress. He became House Majority Whip in 1955 and House Majority Leader in 1961. As Majority Leader, he helped advance the Democratic Party’s legislative agenda during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, in particular the latter’s Great Society legislation of 1964 and 1965.
When Speaker John W. McCormack retired in 1971, Albert was elected Speaker of the House of the Representatives. When the Watergate scandal developed in 1973, Albert played a key role in the impeachment proceedings against President Richard M. Nixon.
Albert retired from the Congress in 1977 and died on February 4, 2000.
He enrolled in the University of Oklahoma in 1927. In 1931, he earned a Rhodes Scholarship to study at the University of Oxford. After completing his studies abroad, he opened a law practice in Oklahoma City in 1935, where he worked for several oil companies until the beginning of World War II.
Albert served in the Judge Advocate General Corps during World War II. He earned the Bronze Star for his work in the Pacific Theater and left the military with the rank of lieutenant colonel in 1946. During the war he also married Mary Harmon, with whom he had two children: Mary Frances and David.
In 1946, Albert won his first election to Congress. He became House Majority Whip in 1955 and House Majority Leader in 1961. As Majority Leader, he helped advance the Democratic Party’s legislative agenda during the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, in particular the latter’s Great Society legislation of 1964 and 1965.
When Speaker John W. McCormack retired in 1971, Albert was elected Speaker of the House of the Representatives. When the Watergate scandal developed in 1973, Albert played a key role in the impeachment proceedings against President Richard M. Nixon.
Albert retired from the Congress in 1977 and died on February 4, 2000.
Found in 26 Collections and/or Records:
25 Tribes Selected for Tribal Affairs Management Program
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_37_0002
Concerning Trail of Broken Treaties: Inquiry to Department of the Interior
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0006
Concerns Regarding Transfer of Bureau Employee to Anadarko Area Office
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_51_0001
Correspondence between Carl Albert and Constituents Updating Tribal Directories: Anadarko Area Office
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_37_0006
Correspondence Regarding Chickasaw Nation Affairs
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_29_0002
Expanding Opportunities for Native Americans: Emergency Employment Act Amendments
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_37_0004
Hearing Information about Disposition of Funds for Sac and Fox Indians: A Statement from Morris Thompson
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_132_20_0005
Invitation to Menominee Restoration Act Reception
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_44_0001
Letter: Carl Albert regarding Will Rogers and Sequoyah
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_15_0001
Letter from Carl Albert to Mrs. Hazel Bretz about Concerns over Osage Tribal Mineral Estate Reservoir Construction
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_132_15_0001