Jim Wright facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jim Wright
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| 48th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives | |
| In office January 6, 1987 – June 6, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Tip O'Neill |
| Succeeded by | Tom Foley |
| House Majority Leader | |
| In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1987 |
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| Deputy | John Brademas Tom Foley |
| Preceded by | Tip O'Neill |
| Succeeded by | Tom Foley |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 12th district |
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| In office January 3, 1955 – June 30, 1989 |
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| Preceded by | Wingate Lucas |
| Succeeded by | Pete Geren |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
James Claude Wright Jr.
December 22, 1922 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | May 6, 2015 (aged 92) Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Lemons (1942–1972) Betty Hay (1972–2015) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | Weatherford College University of Texas, Austin |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1941–1946 |
| Unit | United States Army Air Forces |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Distinguished Flying Cross |
James Claude Wright Jr. (December 22, 1922 – May 6, 2015), usually known as Jim Wright, was an American politician who served as the 48th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 1989. He represented Texas' 12th congressional district as a Democrat from 1955 to 1989.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Wright won election to the Texas House of Representatives after serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. He won election to Congress in 1954, representing a district that included his home town of Fort Worth. Wright distinguished himself from many of his fellow Southern Congressmen in his refusal to sign the Southern Manifesto and he voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1957, though he later voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He also became a senior member of the House Public Works Committee.
In 1976, Wright narrowly won election to the position of House Majority Leader. He became Speaker of the House after Tip O'Neill retired in 1987. Wright resigned from Congress in June 1989 amid a House Ethics Committee investigation into compensation that he and his wife had received. After leaving Congress, Wright became a professor at Texas Christian University.
Death
Wright died at the age of 92 on May 6, 2015. He was survived by his wife Betty and four children. He had previously undergone surgery twice to treat cancer, though it is not clear if his death was cancer-related.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, the last Democrat to serve as House Speaker, stated, "Speaker Wright was a person of deep courage, brilliant eloquence, and complete mastery of the legislative process. Speaker Wright's strong, decisive leadership built an indelible legacy of progress, not only in his beloved state of Texas, but around the world. Wright championed prosperity for every working family, and helped lead the way to peace to Central America."
The incumbent Speaker of the House, John Boehner, R-OH, stated that, "Speaker Wright understood as well as anyone this institution's closeness to the people, calling the House 'the raw essence of the nation'." President Barack Obama stated, "As a representative from Texas and Speaker of the House, Jim was passionate about investing in infrastructure, and he worked tirelessly to promote peace in Central America. Today, our thoughts and prayers are with Jim's family and friends, and the people he represented in Congress for so many years."
Images for kids
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Jim Wright Field (Cottage Grove, Oregon)
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