Remembering Sam Rayburn

[Sooner75]

Jack Z. Smith, columnist for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, has rendered a small portrait of the late, great Sam Rayburn. It's worth remembering one of the best Congressmen of the 20th century.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/columnists/jack_z_smith/13563852.htm

[MrBenchley]

1. Thanks for sharing...

A great piece about a great Democrat.

[Jade Fox]

2. And a TEXAN, amazingly enough....

It's good to remember that great political leaders have come from Texas.

[reality based]

3. Yes, Texas has produced a few good ones

Starting with old Sam Houston who as Governor in 1860 refused to take an oath in support of secession and was forced from power. http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-bin/moa/pageviewer?frames=1&coll=moa&view=50&root=%2Fmoa%2Fharp%2Fharp0032%2F&tif=00640.TIF&cite=http%3A%2F%2Fcdl.library.cornell.edu%2Fcgi-bin%2Fmoa%2Fmoa-cgi%3Fnotisid%3DABK4014-0032-97 Jim Hogg (father of Ima) was a great populist/progressive Democratic Governor when in office in the late 1800's. Senator Ralph Yarborough was one of the few southern politicians to support integration and equal rights in the 1960's. Pretty slim pickings. The good ones usually get run out of office sooner or later. Oh, before signing off, I would like to salute former Speaker Jim Wright of Texas for opposing Reagan's dirty war in Central America. Blessed are the peacemakers!

[Sooner75]

4. Jim Wright's still among us, too!

He still appears at Democratic Party functions in the Fort Worth area, and he still shoots straight and calls 'em as he sees 'em.

[MADem]

5. And there's none finer than Ann Richards!

She, of 'silver foot in his mouth' fame--perhaps my favorite line of any speech at any convention!