Before Boehner and McConnell, Texas' Sam Rayburn Ruled the House

DALLAS — With so much jockeying for power between Texas Democrats and Republicans these days, it's hard to remember that there was a time when Texas Democrats held sway — not just in Texas, but across America.

A new play by Clay Nichols called The Speaker Speaks, sheds light on the life and career of Sam Rayburn, who was once considered the most powerful man in the nation after the president.

He served an astonishing 24 terms, from 1913 until his death in 1961, and served as Speaker of the House three times (non-consecutively) under presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy. He was also mentor to Lyndon Johnson, who became a formidable Majority Leader of the Senate under Rayburn's watchful eye.

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Rayburn was asked by FDR to help out with developing the atom bomb. His fingerprints are all over much of the civil rights legislation of the day, and he was considered one of the most honorable men in public life throughout his half-century of service.

The streaming play is a one-man affair starring actor David Jarrott, who performs the show much as Rayburn did — as a direct radio address to the American people.

Experience The Speaker Speaks free here.

This audio presentation is based upon The Public Domain Theatre Company’s 1999 stage production of The Speaker Speaks: An Evening with Sam Rayburn, directed by Robi Polgar.

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