Hon. James C. Wright, Jr.

(1922 - )

Wright served with eight presidents as a member of Congress for 34 years. He won election to the House in 1954 and became House majority leader in 1976. In 1980, his colleagues named him the most respected member in the House. In 1986, he became speaker of the House and presided over the 100th Congress. He served as speaker until he left the House in 1989. During all his years in Congress, Wright was known for his intelligence, integrity, and advocacy of the rights of the underprivileged. He is now a professor at Texas Christian University, where he teaches a class on "Congress and the President."