Texas congressmen and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, Sam Rayburn, was born in Roane County, Tennessee on January 6, 1882. In 1887 the Rayburn family moved from Tennessee to a cotton farm near Windom, Texas. Rayburn received a Bachelor of Science degree from East Texas Normal College (now Texas A&M University–Commerce), and in 1906, won a seat in the Texas House of Representatives. He attended law school at the University of Texas between legislative sessions and served in the state legislature for two more terms, serving as Speaker in 1910. In 1912, Rayburn was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat from the Fourth Texas District. He had no Republican opponent during his congressional career and maintained one of the longest records of service in the house at 48 years. Congressman Rayburn was elected Speaker of the House in 1940 and continued as Speaker in every Democratically controlled Congress from 1940-1961, serving as minority-leader during the two Republican periods. Respected by Republicans and Democrats alike, Rayburn’s personal integrity was legendary. The Congressman refused money from lobbyists and was effective in dealing with his constituents. Sam Rayburn died of cancer in 1961 and is buried in Bonham. 

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