Oral History of the U.S. House of Representatives

In 1942, Benjamin C. West began his 44-year career in the House of Representatives as a messenger in the House Press Gallery. He eventually served as superintendent of the gallery from 1969 to 1986.

Image courtesy of Benjamin C. West, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

Benjamin C. West sits in the daily press section during the House Judiciary Committee’s impeachment hearings into the Watergate break-in.

Image courtesy of Benjamin C. West, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

The main room of the House Press Gallery in 1951; Benjamin C. West is standing on the left near the bulletin board. In 1967, the press gallery underwent a major renovation.

Image courtesy of Benjamin C. West, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

In 1981, Representatives Delbert Latta of Ohio, Robert Michel of Illinois, and Phil Gramm of Texas held the last Member press conference in the House Press Gallery. Benjamin C. West is standing in the far back near the bulletin board.

Image courtesy of Benjamin C. West, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

Days after succeeding Richard M. Nixon as President, Gerald R. Ford addressed Congress and the nation at a Joint Session in the House Chamber on August 12, 1974. An arrow points to Benjamin C. West who is seen witnessing Ford’s address from the press gallery.

Image courtesy of Benjamin C. West, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives

Speaker of the House, Carl Albert of Oklahoma holds a daily press conference in 1974.

Image courtesy of Benjamin C. West, provided by Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives