Skip to main content

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

Biography

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.

Found in 590 Collections and/or Records:

1970 Correspondence Regarding Indian Education Programs and Reforms, 1970-07-28

 Item — Box LG 67: Series CAC_CC_009_2_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 20
Identifier: CAC_CC_009_2_67_20_0006

1975 Bureau of Indian Affairs Public Hearing Invitation to Speaker of the House, 1975-01-01 - 1975-12-31

 Item — Box DP 132: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 2
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_132_2_0010

$51,477 Contract Awarded for Water Well Project in Oklahoma Counties, 1969-01-01 - 1969-12-31

 Item — Box SP 11: Series CAC_CC_001_16_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 140
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_11_140_0004

$51,477 Contract Awarded for Water Well Renovation in Oklahoma Counties, 1969-01-01 - 1969-12-31

 Item — Box SP 11: Series CAC_CC_001_16_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 140
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_11_140_0003

A Grateful Response: Choc-Chic Payment Update, 1949-06-01

 Item — Box 6: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 72
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_6_72_0006

A Letter of Gratitude: Choctaw Nation and Congressman Carl Albert in 1959, 1959-01-04

 Item — Box DP 33: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 29
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_33_29_0001

Additional filters:

Subject
Indians of North America--Oklahoma DISAMBIGUATE ME! 345
Indians of North America--United States 97
Indians of North America--Claims 53
Indians of North America--United States; Indians of North America--United States 17
Banks and banking--United States 14
Community health services--United States 12
Water resources development--Law and legislation--United States 11
Federal Indian policy--Education 9
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Indians of North America--Claims 9
Indians of North America--Health and hygiene 8
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Sovereignty--Social aspects--United States--History 6
Land use--Law and legislation 6
Land use--Planning 6
Choctaw Nation 5
Civil rights--United States 5
Indians of North America--Politics and government 5
Indians of North America--Education 4
Campaign management--United States 3
Constituents' communication with members of the U.S. Congress 3
Flood control; Land use--Planning 3
Indians of North America--Oklahoma 3
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Indians of North America--Claims 3
Native Americans---Legislative Policy Area 3
Political campaigns--Oklahoma 3
Civil rights United States 2
Constituents communication with members of the U.S. Congress 2
Education United States 2
Education--United States 2
Indians of North America--Health 2
Infrastructure (Economics)--Government policy--United States 2
Political campaigns--United States 2
Agricultural laws and legislation--United States 1
Agriculture laws and legislation--United States 1
Business--United States 1
Cherokee Indians 1
Chickasaw Indians 1
Civil service--United States 1
Communist countries--Foreign relations--United States 1
Energy policy--United States 1
Farm legislation--United States 1
Flood control--United States 1
Government correspondence 1
Housing--Law and legislation 1
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Education--United States; Education, Higher--United States 1
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Housing--Law and legislation; Education--United States 1
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Indians of North America--Claims; Banks and banking--United States 1
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Indians of North America--Claims; Education--United States 1
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Indians of North America--Claims 1
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Banks and banking--United States 1
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Education--United States; Indians of North America--Claims 1
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Indians of North America--Education; Indians of North America--Politics and government 1
Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Indians of North America--Health and hygiene 1
Indians of North America--Sovereignty 1
Older people--Medical care--United States 1
Public Works--United States 1
Public welfare administration 1
Speeches, addresses, etc. 1
Transportation--United States 1
United States 1
United States. Congress. House--Speakers 1
Voting--United States 1
Water--Law and legislation--United States 1