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:
Report Notice from Carl Albert - Congressional Activities 1947
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_11_0009
Resolution for Audit of Oklahoma Johnson-O'Malley Program by National Indian Leadership Training
Digital item
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_41_0008
Resolution for the Administration of the Johnson O'Malley Program by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_41_0001
Resolution of Johnson-O'Malley Funds Dispute in Oklahoma
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_41_0004
Resolution on Administration of Johnson O'Malley Program by Eight-Tribe Inter-Tribal Council
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_41_0002
Resolution Regarding Official Organs of Seminole Nation of Oklahoma
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_132_21_0003
Response from Carl Albert - funding of tribal nation education programs
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_10_0004
Seminole Nation of Oklahoma Indian Action Team Proposal and Priorities
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_132_21_0001
The Chickasaw Nation Without a Governor
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_44_36_0019
The Reaction of the Inter Tribal Council to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Scandal
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Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_100_27_0015