Oral History of the U.S. House of Representatives

Standing on the marble rostrum to the left of House Chaplain Bernard Braskamp, Irving Swanson prepares to call the roll for the opening of the 80th Congress (1947–1949).

Image courtesy of Irving Swanson, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

After auditioning for Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn of Texas, Irving Swanson began a near decade-long career as House Reading Clerk.

Image courtesy of Irving Swanson, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

Irving Swanson traveled often to other countries for interparliamentary conferences. In this image, Swanson and his wife, Margaret, board a plane for an overseas trip.

Image courtesy of Irving Swanson, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk

Irving Swanson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a liaison with Capitol Hill offices.

Image courtesy of Irving Swanson, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

After a career in the private sector, Irving Swanson retired in the 1980s. He is featured with the gavel used on December 11, 1941.

Image courtesy of the Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

Irving Swanson stands over the right shoulder of Representative Richard M. Nixon of California (seated at piano). Swanson remarked, “I was very friendly with Nixon at that time. He had a good staff.”

Image courtesy of Irving Swanson, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn used the gavel pictured above during proceedings that led the House to declare war against Germany and Italy on December 11, 1941.

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gift of Irving Swanson