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 59 Collections and/or Records:
Letter: Carl Albert regarding Will Rogers and Sequoyah
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_15_0001
Letter from a constituent to Carl Albert about Concerns Over Reduction in Funding for Indian Education-Title IV Program
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_138_55_0003
Letter from Carl Albert to Fred Turner, in which he informs Turner that Overton James has been appointed Governor of the Chickasaw tribe.
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_44_36_0036
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
Digital item
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
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_132_15_0001
Letter from Carl Albert to the Chickasaw - Choctaw Federation, recommending Overton James as governor of the Chickasaw.
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_44_36_0015
Letter from Congressman Carl Albert to Mrs. Rosia Edwards, in which he informs her that Overton James has been appointed Governor of the Chickasaw Nation
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_44_36_0010
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
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0014
Letter from Mr. Theodore Terrell to Speaker of the House of Representatives, Carl Albert, discussing demonstrations at the Bureau of Indian Affairs
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0003
Letter from the Principal of Vamoosa Public Schools in Oklahoma sent a telegram to the Speaker of the House requesting that Johnson-O'Malley funds continue for the current school year
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_41_0006