[Deschler's Precedents, Volume 1, Chapters 1 - 6]
[Chapter 6.  Officers, Officials, and Employees]
[B. Speaker Pro Tempore]
[Â§ 12. Designation of Speaker Pro Tempore]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[Page 549-560]
 
                               CHAPTER 6
 
                   Officers, Officials, and Employees
 
                         B. SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE
 
Sec. 12. Designation of Speaker Pro Tempore

    The appointment of a Speaker pro tempore by simple designation--
that is, without formal House approval--is permitted for periods that 
do not extend beyond three legislative days.(11) The 
Speaker(12) (or Speaker pro tempore)(13) may 
orally designate a Member as Speaker pro tempore either in open 
House(14) or informally and off the record. The designation 
must be in formal writing when the Speaker(15) (or Speaker 
pro tempore)(16) cannot be present at the beginning of a 
day's session.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. Rule I clause 7, House Rules and Manual Sec. 633 (1973).
12. See Sec. 12.1, infra.
13. See Sec. 12.3, infra.
            Parliamentarian's Note: Simple designation of a Speaker pro 
        tempore is the Speaker's right under Rule I clause 7 of the 
        House Rules and Manual. From the custom and the practice of the 
        House, it is presumed that a Speaker pro tempore assumes this 
        right upon entering the office.
14. See illustrations under Sec. Sec. 12.1, 12.3, infra.
15. See Sec. 12.2, infra.
16. See Sec. 12.4, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Speaker may, likewise, withdraw a designation of someone as 
Speaker pro tempore.(17)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. See Sec. 12.6, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The designated Speaker pro tempore is characteristically a ``stand-
in'' Speaker. He must ordinarily seek the consent of the House before 
carrying out the more sensitive activities that a Speaker would handle 
without the House's consent and as a matter of course.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. See Sec. Sec. 12.8-12.14, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Examples of the functions assumed by a designated Speaker pro 
tempore from the Speaker include: administering the oath of office to a 
Member-elect with the consent of the House;(19) appointing 
conferees with the unanimous consent of the House;(20) 
spreading upon the Journal a veto message from the President with the 
consent of the House;(1) referring

[[Page 550]]

Presidential messages to committees with the unanimous consent of the 
House;(2) appointing Members to attend funerals by direction 
of the Speaker and with the unanimous consent of the 
House;(3) and calling the House to order in the absence of 
the Speaker.(4)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. See Sec. 12.8, infra.
20. See Sec. Sec. 12.9, 12.10, infra.
 1. See Sec. 12.11, infra.
 2. See Sec. Sec.  12.12, 12.13, infra.
 3. See Sec. 12.14, infra.
 4. See Sec. Sec. 12.15, 12.16, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Normally, but not always, it is the designated Speaker pro tempore 
who is elected Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker 
when certain functions require that the Speaker pro tempore be elected, 
and not simply designated.(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. See Sec. 12.17, infra. 
        -------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oral Designation by Speaker

Sec. 12.1 A Speaker may orally designate a Speaker pro tempore.

    On Apr. 7, 1930,(6) Speaker Nicholas Longworth, of Ohio, 
made the following announcement:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 72 Cong. Rec. 6661, 71st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: The Chair desires to prefer a request for 
    unanimous consent. The Chair has in mind this afternoon to go to 
    southern climes, frankly, for the purpose of rest and recreation 
    for a few days. . . .
        The Chair designates the gentleman from Connecticut [Mr. 
    Tilson] to act as Speaker pro tempore for 3 days, and the Chair 
    asks unanimous consent that thereafter, until the return of the 
    Chair, which will in all probability be on Monday, the gentleman 
    from Connecticut may be permitted to continue in that office. Is 
    there objection?
        There was no objection.
        Mr. [Bertrand H.] Snell [of New York]: Mr. Speaker, I offer a 
    resolution and ask its immediate consideration.
        The Speaker: The gentleman from New York [Mr. Snell] offers a 
    resolution, which the Clerk will report.
        The Clerk read as follows:

            Resolved, That the designation of Hon. John Q. Tilson, a 
        Representative from the State of Connecticut, as Speaker pro 
        tempore be approved by the House and that the President and the 
        Senate be notified thereof.

        The Speaker: The question is on agreeing to the resolution.
        The resolution was unanimously agreed to.

    On Mar. 11, 1940,(7) Speaker William B. Bankhead, of 
Alabama, made the following announcement:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 86 Cong. Rec. 2665, 76th Cong. 3d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: In the event of the absence of The Speaker for the 
    next 3 legislative days, the Chair designates the gentleman from 
    Texas [Mr. Rayburn] as the Speaker pro tempore.

    On Apr. 29, 1948,(8) Speaker Joseph W. Martin, Jr., of 
Massachu

[[Page 551]]

setts, made the following announcement:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 94 Cong. Rec. 5036, 80th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: The Chair wishes to state that he appoints as 
    Speaker pro tempore for the balance of the week the Honorable 
    Charles A. Halleck, of Indiana

    On Sept. 14, 1962,(9) Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, made the following announcement:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 108 Cong. Rec. 19516, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: The Chair will be absent on Monday and Tuesday of 
    next week and designates as Speaker pro tempore on Monday and 
    Tuesday the gentleman from Oklahoma, Mr. Albert.

Written Designation by Speaker

Sec. 12.2 A Speaker who is absent at the beginning of a day's session 
    may designate a Speaker pro tempore in formal writing.

    On June 1, 1961,(10) the proceedings below took place in 
the House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 107 Cong. Rec. 9330, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The House met at 12 o'clock noon and was called to order by the 
    Speaker pro tempore, Mr. McCormack.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Clerk will read the following 
    communication [from Speaker Rayburn].
        The Clerk read as follows:

            I hereby designate the Honorable John W. McCormack to act 
        as Speaker pro tempore today.
                                                    Sam Rayburn,
                                                          Speaker.

    On July 5, 1962,(11) the following action took place in 
the House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 108 Cong. Rec. 12703, 87th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: (Mr. Albert) laid before the House the 
    following communication from [Speaker McCormack], which was read:

            I hereby designate the Honorable Carl Albert to act as 
        Speaker pro tempore today.
                                              John W. McCormack,
                                                          Speaker.

    On Dec. 27, 1963,(12) Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, was absent at the beginning of the session and 
designated in writing Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, to be Speaker pro 
tempore for the day:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 109 Cong. Rec. 25591, 88th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The House met at 12 o'clock noon and was called to order by The 
    Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Albert).
        The Speaker Pro Tempore (Mr. Albert): The Clerk will read the 
    following communication.
        The Clerk read as follows:

                            The Speaker's Rooms

            I hereby designate the Honorable Carl Albert to act as 
        Speaker pro tempore today.
                                              John W. McCormack,
                                                          Speaker.

[[Page 552]]

Oral Designation by Speaker Pro Tempore

Sec. 12.3 A Speaker pro tempore may orally designate another Speaker 
    pro tempore.

    On Sept. 27 (legislative day, Sept. 25), 1961,(13) 
elected Speaker pro tempore John W. McCormack, of Massachusetts, orally 
designated Representative Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, as Speaker pro 
tempore during Mr. McCormack's comments on the first session of the 
87th Congress.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13. 107 Cong. Rec. 21545, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Written Designation by a Speaker Pro Tempore

Sec. 12.4 If a Speaker pro tempore is to be absent at the beginning of 
    a day's session, he may exercise his right to designate another 
    Speaker pro tempore, but only in writing.

    On June 20, 1932,(14) the elected Speaker pro tempore 
Henry T. Rainey, of Illinois, designated in writing a Speaker pro 
tempore for the day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 75 Cong. Rec. 13502, 72d Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The House was called to order at 12 o'clock noon by the Clerk 
    of the House of Representatives.
        The Clerk read the following communication from the Speaker pro 
    tempore [Mr. Rainey].
        The Speaker's Rooms,
        House of Representatives of the United States, Washington, D.C.

            I hereby designate Hon. William B. Bankhead to act as 
        Speaker pro tempore today.
                                                Henry T. Rainey,
                                              Speaker pro tempore.

        Mr. Bankhead took the Chair as Speaker pro 
    tempore.(15)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. Parliamentarian's Note: On June 13, 1932, upon being advised by the 
        doctor that The Speaker would not be able to attend for several 
        days, Mr. Crisp (Ga.) offered a resolution electing Mr. Rainey 
        as Speaker pro tempore. Mr. Crisp administered the oath to Mr. 
        Rainey as Speaker pro tempore. Mr. Rainey under the terms of 
        the resolution electing him served as Speaker pro tempore until 
        June 21 when The Speaker returned to his duties. On June 18, 
        however, Mr. Rainey, finding it necessary to be absent on June 
        20, designated Mr. Bankhead (Ala.) as Speaker pro tempore.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Dec. 26, 1940,(16) elected Speaker pro tempore 
William P. Cole, Jr., of Maryland, designated in writing another 
Speaker pro tempore to serve for the day.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 86 Cong. Rec. 14000, 76th Cong. 3d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The House met at 12 o'clock noon, and was called to order by 
    The Speaker pro tempore, Mr. Ramspeck.
        The Clerk read the following communication from The Speaker pro 
    tempore, Mr. Cole of Maryland:
        The Speaker's Room,
        The House of Representatives, United States, Washington, D.C.

            I hereby designate Hon. Robert Ramspeck to act as Speaker 
        pro tempore today.

[[Page 553]]

                                           William P. Cole, Jr.,
                                              Speaker pro tempore.

Reasons for Designation

Sec. 12.5 A Speaker may designate a Speaker pro tempore for various 
    reasons, including illness.

    On Aug. 31, 1961,(17) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, 
designated in writing Representative Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, to act 
as Speaker pro tempore for the day. Mr. Rayburn was leaving to go to 
his home because he was ill.(18)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
17. 107 Cong. Rec. 17765, 17766, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
18. Parliamentarian's Note: Speaker Rayburn last presided over the 
        House on Aug. 30, 1961. On Nov. 16, 1961, he died in Bonham, 
        Tex.
            For other examples of the reasons for designating a Speaker 
        pro tempore, see Sec. Sec. 12.1, supra, and 12.7, infra.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Withdrawal of Designation

Sec. 12.6 The designation of a Speaker pro tempore may be withdrawn.

    On Apr. 2, 1947,(19) Speaker Joseph W. Martin, Jr., of 
Massachusetts, made the following announcement:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. 93 Cong. Rec. 3075, 80th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: The Chair wishes to announce that the gentleman 
    from Michigan [Mr. Michener], whom he has just designated as 
    Speaker pro tempore on Thursday and Monday next, has illness in his 
    family which may preclude him from accepting the appointment; 
    therefore, the Chair withdraws that designation and designates the 
    gentleman from Indiana [Mr. Halleck] to act as Speaker pro tempore 
    on Thursday and Monday next.

Designation of Minority Party Member

Sec. 12.7 On rare ceremonial occasions, a Speaker may designate a 
    member of the minority party as Speaker pro tempore.

    On Jan. 31, 1951,(1) Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, was 
praised for his record of service as Speaker of the House. At that 
time, he requested a member of the minority party, Mr. Joseph W. 
Martin, Jr., of Massachusetts, to take the Chair:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 97 Cong. Rec. 778, 82d Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker: The Chair will ask the gentleman from 
    Massachusetts [Mr. Martin] to kindly take the chair at this time.
        Mr. Martin assumed the Chair.

Duties, Powers, and Functions

Sec. 12.8 A designated Speaker pro tempore, in the absence of The 
    Speaker, may admin

[[Page 554]]

    ister to a Member-elect his oath of office.

    On Mar. 11, 1940,(2) Speaker William B. Bankhead, of 
Alabama, orally designated Representative Sam Rayburn, of Texas, as 
Speaker pro tempore in the event of his absence for the ensuing three 
legislative days. On Mar. 12, 1940,(3) in the absence of The 
Speaker, Speaker pro tempore Rayburn administered to a Member-elect his 
oath of office by unanimous consent of the House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 2. 86 Cong. Rec. 2665, 76th Cong. 3d Sess.
 3. 86 Cong. Rec. 2724, 76th Cong. 3d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The present occupant of the chair will 
    administer the oath of office to the Member-elect if there is no 
    objection.
        There being no objection [the Member-elect] appeared at the bar 
    of the House and took the oath of office.

Sec. 12.9 A designated Speaker pro tempore is authorized to appoint 
    conferees only with the unanimous consent of the House.

    On May 28, 1959,(4) Speaker pro tempore John W. 
McCormack, of Massachusetts, with the unanimous consent of the House 
appointed conferees. The proceedings were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 105 Cong. Rec. 9334, 86th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Brent] Spence [of Kentucky]: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent to take from the Speaker's desk the bill (S. 1094) to amend 
    the Bretton Woods Agreements Act, with House amendment thereto, 
    insist on the House amendment, and agree to the conference 
    requested by the Senate.
        The Clerk read the title of the bill.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of 
    the gentleman from Kentucky?
        There was no objection.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: Without objection, the Chair appoints 
    the following conferees: Messrs. Spence, Brown of Georgia, Patman, 
    Rains, Kilburn, Widnall, and Hiestand.
        There was no objection.

    On Oct. 9, 1969,(5) the designated Speaker pro tempore 
appointed conferees with the unanimous consent of the House. The 
proceedings were as follows:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 5. 115 Cong. Rec. 29346, 91st Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Robert E.] Jones of Alabama: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent to take from The Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 4148) to 
    amend the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended, and for 
    other purposes, with Senate amendments thereto, disagree to the 
    Senate amendments, and agree to the conference asked by the Senate.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore [Richard Bolling, of Missouri]: Is 
    there objection to the request of the gentleman from Alabama? The 
    Chair hears none, and, without objection, appoints the following 
    conferees: Messrs. Blatnik, Jones of Alabama, Wright, Fallon, 
    Cramer, Harsha, and Grover.
        There was no objection.

[[Page 555]]

    On July 8, 1970,(6) The Speaker pro tempore, Hale Boggs, 
of Louisiana, appointed conferees by unanimous consent of the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 6. 116 Cong. Rec. 23141, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Joseph L.] Evins of Tennessee: Mr. Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent to take from The Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 
    17548) . . . with Senate amendments thereto, disagree to the Senate 
    amendments, and agree to the conference asked by the Senate. . . .
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of 
    the gentleman from Tennessee? The Chair hears none, and, without 
    objection, appoints the following conferees: Messrs. Evins of 
    Tennessee, Boland, Shipley, Giaimo, Marsh, Pryor of Arkansas, 
    Mahon, Jonas, Talcott, McDade, Del Clawson, and Bow.
        There was no objection.

    On Oct. 8, 1970,(7) Speaker pro tempore Charles M. 
Price, of Illinois, appointed conferees with the unanimous consent of 
the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 7. 116 Cong. Rec. 35866, 35867, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Paul G.] Rogers of Florida: Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous 
    consent to take from The Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 18583) to 
    amend the Public Health Service Act . . . with Senate amendments 
    thereto, disagree to the Senate amendments, and agree to the 
    conference asked by the Senate.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of 
    the gentleman from Florida? The Chair hears none, and, without 
    objection, appoints the following conferees: Messrs. Staggers, 
    Jarman, Rogers of Florida, Satterfield, Springer, Nelsen, and 
    Carter.
        There was no objection.

Sec. 12.10 A designated Speaker pro tempore is authorized to appoint 
    additional conferees on a bill only with unanimous consent of the 
    House.

    On Apr. 29, 1948,(8) unanimous consent was requested to 
authorize the designated Speaker pro tempore, Charles A. Halleck, of 
Indiana, to appoint additional conferees on a bill. Without objection 
the designated Speaker pro tempore appointed additional conferees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 8. 94 Cong. Rec. 5066, 80th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Mr. [Paul W.] Shafer [of Michigan]: Mr. Speaker, I ask 
    unanimous consent that The Speaker pro tempore be authorized to 
    appoint two additional conferees on the bill (S. 1641) to establish 
    the Women's Army Corps in the regular Army, to authorize the 
    enlistment and appointment of women in the regular Army and Marine 
    Corps and the Naval and Marine Corps Reserve, and for other 
    purposes.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: Is there objection to the request of 
    the gentleman from Michigan? [After a pause.] The Chair hears none, 
    and, without objection, appoints the gentleman from New York [Mr. 
    Andrews] and the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Johnson].
        There was no objection.

[[Page 556]]

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Clerk will notify the Senate 
    thereof.

Sec. 12.11 A designated Speaker pro tempore may order spread upon the 
    Journal the veto message of a President.

    On Sept. 13, 1966,(9) Speaker pro tempore Hale Boggs, of 
Louisiana, ordered a veto message of the President spread upon the 
Journal with the unanimous consent of the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 9. 112 Cong. Rec. 22411, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker pro tempore laid before the House the following 
    veto message from the President of the United States:
        To the House of Representatives:

            . . . In returning this measure, I do so in the hope that 
        the Congress will adopt the insurance proposals I submitted 
        earlier. Such a measure would be fiscally responsible. It would 
        be consistent with the wage-price guide posts. I would be proud 
        to sign it.
                                            Lyndon B. Johnson,
                                                The White House,
                                               September 12, 1966.

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: Without objection, the objections of 
    the President will be spread at large upon the Journal.
        There was no objection.

Sec. 12.12 A designated Speaker pro tempore refers a Presidential 
    message to committee only with unanimous consent of the House.

    On Aug. 31, 1967,(10) Speaker pro tempore Carl Albert, 
of Oklahoma, referred a Presidential message to committee with 
unanimous consent of the House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
10. 113 Cong. Rec. 24843, 24844, 90th Cong 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Albert) laid before the House the 
    following message from the President of the United States, which 
    was read, as follows:
        To the Congress of the United States:

            I am pleased to transmit the annual report of the Office of 
        Alien Property, Department of Justice, for the fiscal Year 
        ended June 30, 1966, in accordance with section 6 of the 
        Trading With the Enemy Act.
                                            Lyndon B. Johnson,
                                                The White House,
                                                  August 31, 1967.

        The Speaker Pro Tempore (Mr. Albert): Without objection, the 
    message, together with the accompanying papers, is referred to the 
    Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce.
        There was no objection.

Sec. 12.13 A designated Speaker pro tempore refers a Presidential 
    message to committee and orders it printed (sometimes with 
    illustrations) only with the unanimous consent of the House.

    On Sept. 8, 1966,(11) Speaker pro tempore Hale Boggs, of 
Louisiana, laid before the House a

[[Page 557]]

message from the President and, without objection, referred the message 
to a committee and ordered it printed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11. 112 Cong. Rec. 22049-52, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Apr. 21, 1970,(12) Speaker pro tempore Robert O. 
Tiernan, of Rhode Island, referred a Presidential message to committee 
and ordered it printed with the unanimous consent of the House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12. 116 Cong. Rec. 12581, 91st Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On Jan. 24, 1966,(13) Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, laid before the House a message from the President. 
Speaker McCormack having left the Chair during the reading of the 
message from the President, the designated Speaker pro tempore referred 
the message to committee and ordered it printed, with illustrations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13 112 Cong. Rec. 909-17, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 12.14 A designated Speaker pro tempore appoints Members to attend 
    a funeral following the directions of the Speaker and with the 
    unanimous consent of the House.

    On Nov. 25, 1963,(14) designated Speaker pro tempore 
James C. Wright, Jr., of Texas, appointed a committee of 100 Members of 
the House to attend the funeral of President John F. Kennedy, following 
the directions of the Speaker and with the unanimous consent of the 
House.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14. 109 Cong. Rec. 22695, 22696, 88th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 12.15 A designated Speaker pro tempore calls the House to order in 
    the absence of the Speaker.

    On June 1, 1961,(15) Representative John W. McCormack, 
of Massachusetts, having been designated in writing as Speaker pro 
tempore by Speaker Sam Rayburn, of Texas, called the House to order in 
the absence of the Speaker.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
15. 107 Cong. Rec. 9330, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 12.16 A designated Speaker pro tempore calls the House to order at 
    the beginning of a session of Congress in the absence of the 
    Speaker.

    On Jan. 10, 1966,(16) Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, being absent because of the death of his 
brother,(17) designated Speaker pro tempore Carl

[[Page 558]]

Albert, of Oklahoma, called the House to order at the beginning of the 
session of the Congress, and laid before the House the following 
communication from the Speaker:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. 112 Cong. Rec. 5, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
17. Parliamentarian's Note: Speaker John W. McCormack was not in 
        Washington for the convening of the second session of the 89th 
        Congress because of the death of his brother, Donald J. 
        McCormack.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        The Speaker's Rooms,
        U.S. House of Representatives,
        Washington, D.C.

        I hereby designate the Honorable Carl Albert to act as Speaker 
    pro tempore today.
                                              John W. McCormack,
                                                        Speaker.

Time for Election of Designee

Sec. 12.17 A designated Speaker pro tempore is elected by the House as 
    Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker when the need 
    arises for the performance of certain functions.

    On Aug. 31, 1961,(18) the following actions took place 
in the House:
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
18. 107 Cong. Rec. 17765, 17766, 87th Cong. 1st Sess.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The House met at 12 o'clock noon and was called to order by the 
    Speaker pro tempore (Mr. [Carl] Albert [of Oklahoma]).
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair lays before the House a 
    communication which the Clerk will read.
        The Clerk read as follows:
                                                  August 31, 1961.  
        The Speaker's Rooms,
        House of Representatives,
        Washington, D.C.

        I hereby designate Hon. Carl Albert to act as Speaker pro 
    tempore today.

                                                    Sam Rayburn,  
                                                          Speaker.
                               * * * * *

        Mr. [Francis E.] Walter [of Pennsylvania]: Mr. Speaker, I send 
    to the Speaker's table a resolution (H. Res. 445) and ask for its 
    immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read as follows:

                                  H. Res. 445

            Resolved, That Hon. John W. McCormack, a Representative 
        from the State of Massachusetts, be, and he is hereby, elected 
        Speaker pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
            Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by 
        the Clerk of the election of Hon. John W. McCormack as Speaker 
        pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.

        The resolution was agreed to.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
        Hon. John W. McCormack assumed the Chair and the oath of office 
    was administered to him by Mr. Walter.(19)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
19. Parliamentarian's Note: Speaker Sam Rayburn last presided over the 
        House on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 1961, during a call of Calendar 
        Wednesday business. Because of illness, he departed for his 
        home in Bonham, Tex., on the morning of Aug. 31. Speaker 
        Rayburn died there on Nov. 16, 1961.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 559]]

    On Nov. 18, 1963,(1) Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, in writing designated Carl Albert, of Oklahoma, to act 
as Speaker pro tempore for the day.(2) After laying the 
designation before the House, Mr. Albert designated another Speaker pro 
tempore to serve during his election as Speaker pro tempore in the 
absence of the Speaker.(3)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 1. 109 Cong. Rec. 22015, 88th Cong. 1st Sess.
 2. Parliamentarian's Note: Speaker McCormack's brother, Edward, died 
        in Boston on Sunday, Nov. 17. The Speaker remained in Boston 
        until Nov. 21.
 3. Parliamentarian's Note: Although the Congressional Record does not 
        explicitly refer to Mr. Albert's designation of a second 
        Speaker pro tempore, such in fact did take place.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

        The House met at 12 o'clock noon and was called to order by the 
    Speaker pro tempore, Mr. Albert.
        The Speaker pro tempore laid before the House the following 
    communication from [Speaker McCormack]:

                             The Speaker's Room

            I hearby designate the Honorable Carl Albert to act as 
        Speaker pro tempore today.
                                              John T. McCormack,
                                                          Speaker.
                               * * * * *

        Mr. [Hale] Boggs [of Louisiana] assumed the chair.
        Mr. [Carl] Vinson [of Georgia]: Mr. Speaker, I send to the desk 
    a privileged resolution and ask for its immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution [H. Res. 567] as follows:

            Resolved, That Honorable Carl Albert, a Representative from 
        the State of Oklahoma, be, and he is hereby elected Speaker pro 
        tempore during the absence of the Speaker.
            Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by 
        the Clerk of the election of Honorable Carl Albert as Speaker 
        pro tempore during the absence of the Speaker.

        The resolution was agreed to.
        The motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
        Mr. Albert resumed the chair.
        Mr. Albert: The Chair requests the gentleman from Georgia, dean 
    of the House, to administer the oath. Mr. Albert took the oath of 
    office as Speaker pro tempore administered by Mr. Vinson.

    On Jan. 10, 1966,(4) Speaker John W. McCormack, of 
Massachusetts, was absent because of the death of his brother. Speaker 
McCormack designated in writing a Speaker pro tempore for the day. The 
designated Speaker pro tempore was elected Speaker pro tempore during 
the absence of the Speaker.(5)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 4. 112 Cong. Rec. 5, 6, 89th Cong. 2d Sess.
 5. Parliamentarian's Note: Since the duration of The Speaker's absence 
        was uncertain and since there were new Members present to be 
        sworn, the House chose to elect a Speaker pro tempore.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

[[Page 560]]

        . . . [T]he Members of Congress met in their hall, and at 12 
    o'clock were called to order by the Speaker pro tempore Hon. Carl 
    Albert, a Representative from the State of Oklahoma.

        The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Albert) laid before the House the 
    following communication:
        The Speaker's Rooms,
        U.S. House of Representatives,
        Washington, D.C.

            I hereby designate the Honorable Carl Albert to act as 
        Speaker pro tempore today.
                                              John W. McCormack,
                                                          Speaker.
                               * * * * *

        The Speaker Pro Tempore: The Chair requests the gentleman from 
    Louisiana [Mr. Boggs] to assume the Chair.
        Mr. Boggs assumed the Chair as Speaker pro tempore.
        The Speaker Pro Tempore: (Mr. Hale Boggs): The Chair recognizes 
    the gentleman from New York [Mr. Keogh].
        Mr. [Eugene J.] Keogh: Mr. Speaker, on account of the 
    unavoidable absence of The Speaker due to the death of his beloved 
    brother, and at his request, I offer a resolution and ask for its 
    immediate consideration.
        The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                                  H. Res. 627

            Resolved, That Hon. Carl Albert, a Representative from the 
        State of Oklahoma, be, and he is hereby, elected Speaker pro 
        tempore during the absence of The Speaker.
            Resolved, That the President and the Senate be notified by 
        the Clerk of the election of the Honorable Carl Albert as 
        Speaker pro tempore during the absence of The Speaker.

        The resolution was agreed to.
        A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
        Mr. Albert assumed the Chair as Speaker pro tempore and Mr. 
    Celler administered the oath of office.