Cannon House Office Building: A Congressional First

• A Congressional First
• Cannon Rotunda
• Cannon Caucus Room
• Furnishing the Building
  
• Cannon Room 311
• Peace (The White Squadron in Boston Harbor)
• Speaker Cannon

Speaker Cannon

Speaker Joseph Gurney Cannon’s career in Congress spanned almost five decades. The Illinois Representative ruled the House with an iron fist from 1903 to 1911 and earned the nickname “Czar Cannon.” The Speaker’s contrary personality was as legendary as his vise-like grip on power. Cannon called himself “the Hayseed Member from Illinois” and famously said to an opponent, “The country don’t need any legislation.”

Cannon was personally popular in the House and championed expanded space for Representatives. He shepherded construction of the building that ultimately bore his name and insisted that it contain offices for every Member of the House.

"Joseph Cannon on his 88th Birthday," 1924 Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives