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 25 Collections and/or Records:
25 Tribes Selected for Tribal Affairs Management Program
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_37_0002
Change in Leadership at Muskogee Branch of Bureau of Indian Affairs
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_51_0003
Concerning Trail of Broken Treaties: Inquiry to Department of the Interior
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0006
Concerns About BIA Headquarters Disturbance: A Call for Action
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0010
Correspondence from a constituent to Carl Albert about the Potential Appointment for Mrs. Juanita Learned
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_51_0007
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
Letter from Carl Albert to Mr. Belvin for his letter regarding the disturbance at the Bureau of Indian Affairs building and agrees that violence and destruction of property cannot be condoned
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0012
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
Letter from Mr. Robertson denounces the recent takeover of the Bureau of Indian Affairs building in Washington and expresses disappointment in the actions of the federal government
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0014