Sam Rayburn
Sam Rayburn
Samuel Taliaferro "Sam" Rayburnwas a Democratic lawmaker from Bonham, Texas, who served as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives for 17 years, the longest tenure in U.S. history. He is one of six Speakers to serve more than one non-consecutive term, and the only Democrat to do so. Along with Henry Clay, he is one of only two to serve three different terms as Speaker. He is the longest-serving member ever of the United States House of Representatives...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth6 January 1882
CountryUnited States of America
In my many years as a Representative in Congress it is my observation that the district that is best represented is the district that is wise enough to select a man of energy, intelligence, and integrity and reelects him year after year. A man of this type and character serves more efficiently and effectively the longer he is returned by his people.
If a man has common sense, he has all the sense there is.
Poverty only tries men's souls. It is loneliness that breaks the heart.
I like power and I like to use it.
You'll never get mixed up if you simply tell the truth. Then you don't have to remember what you have said, and you never forget what you have said.
Too many critics mistake the deliberations of the Congress for its decisions.
Any man who will cheat for you will cheat against you.
Readiness for opportunity makes for success. Opportunity often comes by accident; readiness never does.
There's no education in the second kick of a mule
Let the other fellow get the headlines. I'll take the laws.
There are no degrees in honorableness. You either are or you aren't.
When the concept of Social Security came before the House, every Republican but one voted against it. Had it not been for the Democrats, Social Security would never have passed, and our older people would not have this great support that our people provide. It has been my experience that Democrats generally vote to protect the people, while Republicans seem to try to protect the interests of big business.
They may be just as intelligent as you say. But I'd feel a helluva lot better if just one of them had ever run for sheriff.
A damn independent boy; independent as a hog on ice.