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Art & History

Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn’s portrait leaves the “Board of Education”

June 19, 1962

On this date, the House moved the portrait of Speaker Sam Rayburn of Texas from its longtime home to the Speaker’s Lobby. After spending 20 years in the fabled “Board of Education” room, the painting joined the collection of former Speakers of the House following Rayburn’s death. Tucked away on the first floor of the Capitol, Rayburn’s first-floor private office had long been a legendary gathering place, where Democratic leaders met to plot strategy. A small circle of regulars included longtime House Parliamentarian Lewis Deschler and Representative and later Senator Lyndon Johnson of Texas, as well as powerful committee chairmen and select reporters. After the 1857 Capitol expansion, the Committee on Territories first occupied the room. Constantino Brumidi’s assistant, James Leslie painted the ceilings and lunettes in the new office. Speaker Joe Cannon of Illinois laid claim to the space in the early 1900s and it has ever since remained under the Office of the Speaker. During Prohibition, Speaker Nicholas Longworth of Ohio used what was then known as the “Bureau of Education” to unwind with a drink, accompanied by his friend, future Speaker John Nance Garner of Texas. During Speaker Rayburn’s tenure, a lone star, representing his home state of Texas, was added to one of the lunettes.

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Office of History and Preservation, Office of the Clerk, http://clerk.house.gov/art_history/highlights.html?action=view&intID=483, (December 08, 2010).

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Office of History and Preservation
(202) 226-1300
history@mail.house.gov

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A powerful legislator, Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn of Texas wielded the gavel longer than other Speaker, 17 years, two months, and two days.  Oil on canvas, Douglas Chandor, 1941, Collection of U.S. House of Representatives

Teaching Tip

Wielding the Gavel
Ask students to locate three stories pertaining to Speakers of the House. Have students select and conduct research on one of the Speakers using historical highlights and the Biographical Directory bibliography.

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