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 594 Collections and/or Records:

Progress Report on Broken Bow and Pine Creek Reservoir Projects by Congressman Carl Albert, 1963-03-12

 Item — Box PJ 9: Series CAC_CC_001_15_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 3
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_15_9_3_0018

Project TRIBES: A Proposal for Indian Student Education Funding, 1972-06-20

 Item — Box DP 98: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 24
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_98_24_0005

Prominent Native American Figures from Oklahoma in Statuary Hall, 1948-01-01 - 1948-12-31

 Item — Box DP 2: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 12
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_2_12_0015

Promoting Native American Art: The Chickasaw Sunburst, 1965-01-10 - 1965-12-31

 Item — Box DP 52: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 36
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_52_36_0001

Proposal F. Sill Impact Area, 1960, 1948-01-01 - 1948-12-31

 Item — Box DP 29: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 35
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_29_35_0001

Proposal for Indian Hospital Location in Ada, Oklahoma, 1974-08-08

 Item — Box 131: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 12
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_131_12_0026

Proposal for Study on American Indian Aged in Oklahoma City, 1975-07-22

 Item — Box 131: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 15
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_131_15_0049

Proposed Legislation for Indian Affairs by Congressman Carl Albert, 1956-08-13

 Item — Box SP 1: Series CAC_CC_001_16_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 61
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_61_0010

Proposed Legislation for Indian Tribal Rights and Rehabilitation, 1956-01-01 - 1956-12-31

 Item — Box SP 1: Series CAC_CC_001_16_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 61
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_61_0017

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--Education 8
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
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