Jim Wright

Jim Wright was an American politician who served as the 48th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Born on December 22, 1922, in Fort Worth, Texas, Wright was a member of the Democratic Party and represented Texas's 12th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1955 to 1989.

Early Life and Education

Jim Wright was born in Fort Worth, Texas. He attended the local public schools and later enrolled at Weatherford College in Weatherford, Texas. After his time at Weatherford, he transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied until the outbreak of World War II. During the war, Wright served in the United States Army Air Forces, achieving the rank of bombardier in Europe.

Political Career

After the war, Wright began his political career in Texas. He was first elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 1946 and served there until 1948. In 1954, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he would serve for 34 years. During his tenure, Wright was known for his expertise in foreign policy and his advocacy for increased federal investment in education and public infrastructure.

In 1987, Wright was elected Speaker of the House, succeeding Tip O'Neill. As Speaker, he played a pivotal role in several legislative initiatives, but his tenure was also marked by controversy. In 1989, he became the first Speaker in the history of the House to resign because of a scandal involving alleged improprieties related to the acceptance of gifts and evasion of limits on earned outside income.

Later Life and Legacy

After resigning from Congress, Wright retired from public life and returned to Texas. He spent his later years involved in educational activities, including teaching at Texas Christian University, and writing several books on politics and history.

Jim Wright passed away on May 6, 2015, in his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas. His contributions to American politics, particularly during his time as Speaker, continue to be studied and debated by historians and political scientists.

See Also

• United States House of Representatives
• Democratic Party (United States)
• Political scandals in the United States