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:
Memorandum from Theodore C. Sorensen to Carl Albert regarding presidential succession, November 8, 1973
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_7_191_25_0001
Memorandum: New Superintendent Appointed at Concho Agency
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_51_0004
Neglected Conditions at Kayenta Boarding School: A Call for Action
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_35_0005
Press Release from Carl Albert - new office
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_11_0001
Press Release from J. A. Krug - Choctaw and Chickasaw Gas Rights
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_10_0002
Proposal to Carl Albert about Restoring Justice: The Menominee Restoration Act
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_44_0004
Proposed Legislation for Allocation of Indian Claims Commission Awards
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_132_20_0001
Re-elect President Nixon: Because He Cares for American Indians
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_37_0009
Recommendation for Overton James for Chickasaw Governor
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_44_36_0029
Report Notice from Carl Albert - Congressional Activities 1947
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_11_0009