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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 586 Collections and/or Records:

Successful Congressional Action: A Letter from Carl Albert, 1949-05-27

 Item — Box 6: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 72
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_6_72_0007

Support and Appreciation for the Choctaw and Chickasaw Tribes, 1949-01-26

 Item — Box 6: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 56
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_6_56_0002

Support for Indian Rights: A Letter to Honorable Carl Albert, 1950-03-24

 Item — Box DP 9: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 38
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_9_38_0008

Support for Indian Scholarships: A Letter to Congressman Carl Albert, 1968-01-01

 Item — Box DP 70: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 47
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_70_47_0006

Support for the Chilocco Indian School Rebuilding Program, 1973-01-15

 Item — Box DP 111: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 37
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_111_37_0001

Support for the Repeal of the Choctaw Termination Act of 1959, 1959-08-25

 Item — Box SP 13: Series CAC_CC_001_16_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 74
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_13_74_0001

Support Needed for Inter-Tribal Council's Bid for Seneca Indian School Lands, 1968-10-21

 Item — Box 71: Series CAC_CC_001_4_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 1
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_4_71_1_0013

Supporting Education for Indian Children: A Call for Continued Federal Assistance, 1947-01-01 - 1947-12-31

 Item — Box SP 1: Series CAC_CC_001_16_0000_0000_0000, Folder: 23c
Identifier: CAC_CC_001_16_1_23C_0006

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Choctaw Nation 5
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Constituents' communication with members of the U.S. Congress 3
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Indians of North America--Oklahoma; Indians of North America--Claims 3
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Political campaigns--Oklahoma 3
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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
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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