Jim Wright

Jim Wright
Name	Jim Wright
Caption	Wright in 1987
Office	48th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives
Term start	January 6, 1987
Term end	June 6, 1989
Predecessor	Tip O'Neill
Successor	Tom Foley
Office1	House Majority Leader
Term start1	January 3, 1977
Term end1	January 3, 1987
Predecessor1	Tip O'Neill
Successor1	Tom Foley
State2	Texas
District2	TX, 12, 12th
Term start2	January 3, 1955
Term end2	June 30, 1989
Predecessor2	Wingate H. Lucas
Successor2	Pete Geren
Birth name	James Claude Wright Jr.
Birth date	22 December 1922
Birth place	Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Death date	6 May 2015
Death place	Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.
Party	Democratic
Spouse	Mary Ethelyn Lemons (m. 1942; div. 1972), Betty Hay (m. 1972)
Education	Weatherford College, University of Texas at Austin (attended)
Allegiance	United States
Branch	United States Army Air Forces
Serviceyears	1942–1946
Unit	Bombardier
Battles	World War II
Awards	Distinguished Flying Cross

Jim Wright was an American politician who served as the 48th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1987 until his historic resignation in 1989. A Democrat from Texas, he represented the state's 12th congressional district for over 34 years, rising to become House Majority Leader before his election as Speaker. His tenure was cut short by a protracted ethics investigation, making him the first Speaker to resign from office in the 20th century. Wright was known as a skilled legislative tactician and a passionate advocate for his constituents and progressive causes.

Early life and education

James Claude Wright Jr. was born in Fort Worth, Texas, and his early life was shaped by the Great Depression. He attended Weatherford College and briefly studied at the University of Texas at Austin before his education was interrupted by World War II. Wright served with distinction in the United States Army Air Forces as a bombardier in the Pacific Theater, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his combat service. After the war, he entered local politics, serving on the Weatherford City Council and later as mayor before winning election to the United States House of Representatives in 1954.

Congressional career

Upon his arrival in Washington, D.C., Wright quickly established himself as a diligent representative for his North Texas district. He secured key appointments to influential committees, including the Public Works Committee, where he championed infrastructure projects vital to his state. A protégé of fellow Texan Sam Rayburn, Wright became a prominent voice on issues like civil rights, education, and environmental policy. He played a crucial role in the passage of landmark legislation such as the Clean Air Act and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972. His legislative skill and loyalty to the party led to his election as House Majority Leader in 1976, a position he held for a decade under Speaker Tip O'Neill.

Speaker of the House

Wright ascended to the Speakership in January 1987 following the retirement of Tip O'Neill. His tenure was marked by an assertive and activist style, often challenging the policies of President Ronald Reagan. Wright aggressively pushed a domestic agenda focused on homelessness, education, and health care, and he was particularly instrumental in brokering a peace plan for Central America that countered the Reagan administration's support for the Contras in Nicaragua. His forceful approach, however, drew intense criticism from Republican leaders, including Minority Leader Newt Gingrich, who accused Wright of authoritarian rule and ethical improprieties.

Ethics investigation and resignation

In 1988, allegations spearheaded by Newt Gingrich prompted the House Ethics Committee to investigate Wright's financial dealings. The inquiry focused on the bulk sale of his book, *Reflections of a Public Man*, and his relationship with a Fort Worth developer. In April 1989, the committee, chaired by Dick Durbin, found "reason to believe" Wright had violated House of Representatives rules on 69 counts, primarily concerning gift limits. Facing almost certain reprimand and a divisive floor fight, Wright delivered an emotional speech on the House floor on May 31, 1989, and announced his resignation from both the Speakership and his seat in Congress, effective June 6. His departure made Tom Foley the new Speaker.

Later life and death

After leaving Washington, D.C., Wright returned to Fort Worth, Texas. He taught as a professor at Texas Christian University and remained active in public life, writing and speaking on political issues. He authored several books, including an autobiography, and occasionally offered counsel to political figures. Jim Wright died at his home in Fort Worth on May 6, 2015, at the age of 92. His funeral was attended by numerous political dignitaries from both parties, reflecting his long and consequential career.

Legacy

Jim Wright's legacy is complex, defined by both significant legislative achievements and a dramatic fall from power. He is remembered as a master legislator who effectively wielded the power of the Speaker of the House to advance his policy goals, particularly in foreign affairs. The ethics scandal that ended his career, however, ushered in an era of heightened partisan combat in the United States Congress, exemplified by the rise of Newt Gingrich. Historians often cite his resignation as a pivotal moment that changed the tone and rules of political engagement in the House of Representatives, contributing to the intense polarization that followed in subsequent decades.

Category:1922 births Category:2015 deaths Category:Speakers of the United States House of Representatives Category:United States representatives from Texas Category:Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives