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 60 Collections and/or Records:
Letter from the Speaker, Carl Albert thanking the Mayor of Pawnee for sharing an editorial about recent events in Pawnee
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0001
Letter to Carl Albert about Assistance Needed: Ponca Tribe Projects in Focus
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_52_0001
Letter to Carl Albert about Support for H. R. 4016: Allocation of Awards Among the Sac and Fox Tribes
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_132_20_0003
Letter to Carl Albert about the recent takeover of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Building in Washington, which is condemned as illegal and detrimental to the American Indian community
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0008
Letter to Carl Albert from a constituent about Preserving Indian Education: A Call for Action
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_138_55_0001
letter to Carl Albert from a Constituent about the Collaborative Efforts for Oklahoma's Indian People
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_37_0008
Letter to Carl Albert from a Constituent about the Distinguished Career in Indian Affairs: The Journey of Dr. William J. Benham
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_51_0005
Letter to Carl Albert to Request for Force Account Method of Road Construction by Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_43_0001
Letter to the Department of Interior expressing concern about the Trail of Broken Treaties and damage at the Bureau of Indian Affairs
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0017
Memo: the office of Carl Albert that he had been appointed to represent Oklahoma at the Democratic National Committee.
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_11_0004