[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 13, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H13820-H13822]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1830
   RECOGNIZING AND HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAM RAYBURN 
                           LIBRARY AND MUSEUM

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
agree to the resolution (H. Res. 709) recognizing and honoring the 50th 
anniversary of the dedication of the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum on 
October 9, 2007, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 709

       Whereas Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn, affectionately known as 
     ``Mr. Sam'', held the position of Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives for a record seventeen and a half years; and
       Whereas the legendary former Speaker of the House served 
     twenty-four consecutive terms as United States Representative 
     of the Fourth District of Texas, until his death in 1961: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives recognizes and 
     honors the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Sam 
     Rayburn Library and Museum on October 9, 2007, as

[[Page H13821]]

     well as completion of phase one of the museum restoration 
     program, and also recognizes the many supporters and 
     contributors whose efforts have helped maintain and improve 
     the Library and Museum.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Bishop) and the gentleman from New York (Mr. Kuhl) each will 
control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days 
during which Members may insert material relevant to H. Res. 709 into 
the Record.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 709, a resolution to 
recognize and honor the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the Sam 
Rayburn Library and Museum on October 9, 2007.
  Sam Rayburn is a legend to many of us in this House, having served as 
Speaker of the House for a record 17\1/2\ years. Born Samuel Taliaferro 
Rayburn, he served the people of Texas as an elected official for 55 
consecutive years. Sam Rayburn spent 48 years here as a Member of 
Congress from the Fourth District of Texas and also served in the Texas 
House of Representatives. He was perhaps destined to become the Speaker 
of the House because he certainly had the experience for it. Prior to 
coming here, he was also the Speaker of the Texas House of 
Representatives and he served as Speaker of this House on three 
different occasions: from 1940 to 1947, from 1948 to 1953, and then 
again from 1955 until his death in 1961.
  During Speaker Rayburn's time of service to this great Nation, he 
presided over the enactment of the Marshall Plan, expansion of Social 
Security, and passage of the first pieces of major civil rights 
legislation since Reconstruction.
  Throughout the House campus, we have an array of memorials to the 
Speaker. The largest House office building which houses Members and 
committee offices is the Rayburn House Office Building built in 1965. 
His likeness stands in the entrance to that building, and there is also 
the Rayburn Room, which has hosted many negotiations and meetings 
across from the House floor.
  Texas has also honored its native son with the Sam Rayburn Library 
and Museum, located in Speaker Rayburn's hometown of Bonham, Texas. It 
recently had its 50th anniversary and is celebrating the completion of 
phase one of the museum's restoration program. This restoration program 
will help protect the valuable collections stored at the library.
  This anniversary year has been a busy one for the Sam Rayburn Library 
and Museum. In January, it hosted the annual celebration of Speaker 
Rayburn's birthday and has featured three new exhibits. The Sam Rayburn 
Foundation also honors high school seniors from the Speaker's home of 
Bonham and Fannin County.
  Speaker Rayburn, despite his busy congressional schedule, was 
actively involved in every step of his library's planning, 
construction, and dedication. The library and museum was his way of 
paying tribute to the people of Fannin County. This resolution also 
honors the supporters and contributors who have helped make this 
library such a success.
  I am pleased to join my colleagues in supporting this resolution, and 
I urge its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 709, 
recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the 
Sam Rayburn Library and Museum on October 9, 2007, and for such other 
purposes.
  Congressman Samuel Rayburn was born on January 6, 1882, in a rural 
area of Roane County, Tennessee. His interest in government coincided 
with his family's move to Texas, and it has been suggested that his 
curiosity intensified through the ``great golden age of Texas 
politics.''
  As he worked his family's cotton fields, Congressman Rayburn imagined 
himself making numerous political speeches and engaging in debates with 
current political leaders. Later in his life, Congressman Rayburn 
recalled that it was during one of these flights of imagination that he 
decided he would pursue a career in law and politics.
  By 1937, Congressman Rayburn was elected majority leader of the 75th 
Congress, and in 1940 he was selected to replace the deceased William 
Bankhead as Speaker of the House, a position he held for a record 
number 17\1/2\ years.
  During the 80th and 83rd Congresses, the two periods of Republican 
majorities in the House of Representatives, he served as minority 
leader. During his time in Congress, Congressman Rayburn served with 
eight different Presidents and helped to pass several pieces of key 
legislation. He served as Speaker of the House throughout World War II 
and was instrumental in garnering support to fund the Manhattan 
Project.
  Known by most as ``Mr. Democrat,'' Mr. Rayburn was permanent chairman 
of the National Democratic Convention in 1948, 1952, and 1956, and was 
named honorary chairman in 1960. Throughout his political career, the 
congressman was known for his ability to balance his strong Democratic 
partisanship with his unwavering sense of dedication to meeting the 
needs of the American people through working in bipartisan ways with 
Republicans.
  Despite the status he was able to achieve in Washington as Speaker, 
he was still known as ``informal'' and a ``down home kind of guy'' who 
returned to his home in Bonham as soon as Congress adjourned for the 
session. When home, Congressman Rayburn would meet with his 
constituents concerning their needs, maintaining that his obligation 
was to the people and it wasn't finished.
  Congressman Rayburn accomplished much during his lifetime by the 
fulfillment of his dream to become a politician. And he is a source of 
pride for those all over northeast Texas.
  Sam Rayburn passed away in Bonham, Texas, on November 16, 1961, and 
was buried at the Willow Wild Cemetery, a few blocks from the Rayburn 
Library and Museum. His remains laid in state for 24 hours in the 
library he had established in October 1957 as a tribute to the people 
of his cherished Fannin County, Texas. Thousands of mourners from 
schoolchildren to national officials filed silently past his bronze 
coffin in tribute to his service and dedication. The Texas Department 
of Public Safety estimated that 15,000 people filled the streets on the 
day of Rayburn's funeral. President John Kennedy, former Presidents 
Dwight Eisenhower and Harry Truman and future President Lyndon Johnson 
attended the funeral services. The entire Texas congressional 
delegation and 105 Members of Congress attended the services, many of 
whom came to the library.
  Today, the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum exhibits photographs and 
original letters, political artifacts, and personal memorabilia 
relating to important events of the life and times of Congressman 
Rayburn. In addition to a research library, the museum centerpiece is a 
replica of the formal office of the Speaker of the House of 
Representatives.
  I thank the gentleman who sits behind me for whom I will yield in 
just a moment, Mr. Hall, for introducing this resolution and I ask my 
colleagues' support.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Hall).
  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I, of course, rise in support of H. 
Res. 709, recognizing and honoring the 50th anniversary of the 
dedication of the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum.
  Samuel ``Sam'' Taliaferro Rayburn was born in Roane County, 
Tennessee, on January 6, 1882, the eighth of 11 children, and moved 
west with his family to a 40-acre cotton farm in Fannin County in Texas 
near the little community of Flag Springs, Texas, in 1887. Many 
Tennesseeans like Sam Rayburn and Sam Houston were great leaders and 
builders of the State of Texas.
  From those humble beginnings, ``Mr. Sam,'' as he became known, rose 
to become one of Texas' and the United States' greatest statesmen. He 
held elected office for 55 consecutive years beginning in 1906 with his 
election to

[[Page H13822]]

the Texas House. He was elected 24 times to the U.S. House of 
Representatives, representing Texas's Fourth District, and spent 17 of 
those years as Speaker of the House, a position that put him third in 
line for the United States Presidency. At the time of his death in 
1961, Rayburn's 48 consecutive years in the U.S. House set a 
congressional record for continuous service.
  Sam Rayburn was selected to replace the deceased William Bankhead as 
Speaker of the House, a position he held for a record number 17\1/2\ 
years. He also served as minority leader during the 80th and 83rd 
Congresses, the two periods of Republican majority in the House of 
Representatives. Rayburn served with eight different Presidents and 
helped to pass several pieces of key legislation throughout his career:
  One was the Selective Service Act in 1941. He cast the deciding vote 
to pass that act; the Civil Rights Act of 1957 and 1960; establishment 
of NASA; the National Defense Education Act of 1958; the Hospital 
Survey and Construction Act of 1958.
  The Office of Speaker lacked great formal powers when he first took 
office, but Rayburn quickly expanded the power and influence of the 
office. Rayburn relied heavily on his personal prestige, persuasive 
skills, and personal friendships built up over decades in the House. 
His leadership style usually resulted in congenial relations between 
not only the northern and southern wings of the Democratic Party but 
also between Rayburn and the Republican leadership of the House. 
Rayburn's actions during his long tenure as Speaker increased the power 
of the House of Representatives in its relations with the Senate and 
with the executive branch.
  Following his election as Speaker, Rayburn wanted to build a library 
to house his books, his personal papers, and memoirs. He also wanted 
the facility to be a reservoir center of political history available to 
the people of Fannin County in his congressional district. With the 
advice of Secretary of the Treasury John Snyder, Rayburn requested that 
Judge H.A. Cunningham, a good friend of Rayburn's and a great man from 
Bonham, Texas, arrange to have a charitable trust established for the 
purposes of receiving and managing funds donated to assist in building 
the library. The Speaker also contacted Buster Cole, a young lawyer 
from Bonham, to assist in the process of setting up the trust. An 
earlier $10,000 award from Collier's magazine served as a financial 
base for the foundation.
  Sam Rayburn, representatives of the Sam Rayburn Foundation, and 
hundreds of admirers gathered to break ground for the library in 
December 1955. The library construction was completed in July 1957, and 
the Sam Rayburn Library officially opened to the public October 9, 
1957, in a ceremony that garnered national attention and media 
coverage. Businesses were closed for the day, and downtown Bonham was 
decorated with banners and bunting.

                              {time}  1845

  Many distinguished political leaders attended the dedication, 
including President Harry S. Truman and his wife, Bess Truman; 
Secretary of Treasury Robert Anderson; Congressman Hale Boggs of 
Louisiana; Congressman Richard Bolling of Missouri; Governor of 
Arizona, Ernest McFarland; former Governor and current Congressman 
Earle C. Clements of Kentucky; and the majority of the congressional 
delegations from Texas and Oklahoma, among them Lyndon B. Johnson, Jim 
Wright, Carl Albert and Tom Steed. There were approximately 11 
television and radio stations on hand to report all the activities.
  In honor of the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the library and 
in recognition of the completion of phase one of the Museum Restoration 
Program, the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum hosted an open house and 
reception on Tuesday, October 9. An exhibit featuring historic images 
of the dedication as well as items pertaining to the recent renovation 
project were on display. The open house and reception honored Speaker 
Rayburn and recognized the many supporters and contributors who helped 
fund the recent renovation project.
  The renovation included a new look, an improved drainage system for 
the building, a more efficient heating and cooling system, upgraded 
accessibility to the museum, and a thorough cleaning and resealing of 
the building exterior. These improvements will not only preserve the 
historic structure but also provide added protection for the valuable 
collections and artifacts housed in the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum.
  I am pleased to offer this resolution today honoring the Sam Rayburn 
Library and Museum, and I urge my colleagues' support in recognition of 
this great facility that chronicles an important era in the history of 
our Nation.
  I am also proud to represent Mr. Rayburn's Fourth District of Texas. 
My mother attended Mayo College at Commerce, Texas, with Mr. Rayburn. 
He was a great friend, my friend, and my family's friend. He truly was 
one of a kind. And this resolution will go into the Congressional 
Record, adding more light to this man's great history.
  Mr. KUHL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Bishop) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 709.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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