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Monday, January 11, 2016
The Texas Minute: Congressman Wright Patman veterans, desperate for any money to support their families, began demanding the immediate payment of a special monetary bonus that Congress had enacted for veterans in 1920. However, the savings bond would not mature until 1945. Patman, in support of his fellow veterans, pushed a bill that would have let these veterans cash in their bonuses early. Even as these unemployed veterans and their Dr. Ken Bridges families gathered in Washington, American History is filled with DC, to lobby Congress, President stories of men and women who Herbert Hoover refused to support stepped in at the right time. U. S. the Patman Bill, and Congress Rep. Wright Patman was one such rejected it. figure. He represented Texas in Congress through some of the After the inauguration of President most difficult times the nation had Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933, faced. Through his work in Patman was an outspoken Congress, Patman left an indelible supporter of his New Deal reforms mark on East Texas and the designed to combat the depression nation. and reform the shattered economy. Patman pushed federal John William Wright Patman was jobs programs, Social Security, the born outside Hughes Springs in minimum wage, and the 40-hour Cass County in 1893. After work week. In 1936, his bonus graduating high school, he bill for World War I veterans enrolled at Cumberland University finally passed. He also passed the in Tennessee. By 1916, he had Federal Anti-Price Discrimination earned a law degree and accepted Act (also called the Patmana job as assistant county attorney Robinson Act) which prevented for Cass County. When the retail stores from forming United States entered World War I monopolies by underselling local in 1917, he enlisted in the army. mom-and-pop stores. In 1920, he was elected to the first of two terms in the state He remained an active legislator in legislature before becoming the the years after World War II. To district attorney for Northeast help the economy return to Texas. In 1928, Patman peacetime activity, he pushed the challenged U. S. Rep. Eugene Full Employment Act of 1946 as Black of Clarksville for his seat in well as four housing acts between Congress. Patman overpowered 1946 and 1965 that helped the him in the Democratic Primary, average American afford a good assuring his victory in the general home. Through the British Loan election. Act, he spurred the nation to bail out the British government, Not long after his election, the bankrupted by World War II and Great Depression struck. In 1932, facing new threats as the Cold a growing number of unemployed War loomed. As part of the Flood
Control Act, he initiated the 1948 construction of what became Lake Texarkana in Bowie and Cass counties.
Page #12
Harvey named as McDonald's AllAmerican Games nominee
His years in Congress had earned him tremendous respect among his colleagues. In January 1973, he became the Dean of the House of Representatives, an honorary title for the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives, one of only five Texans to ever hold the title. Also in 1973, Lake Texarkana, was renamed Wright Patman Lake in honor of the congressman. By 1975, however, his health and career had begun to decline. A new group of congressmen had been swept into office in the 1974 midterm elections angry over the Watergate scandal as well as the old seniority system that only allowed older members of Congress to chair important committees. This, coupled with Patman’s health, led him to being unceremoniously voted out as chairman of the House Banking Committee. The next winter, he contracted a fatal case of pneumonia and died on March 7, 1976, after having served as a member of Congress for 37 years.
Howe Lady Bulldogs’ post Riley Harvey has been named as a nominee for the McDonald’s AllAmerican Games. The first boys game was held back in 1978 with Magic Johnson on the squad. Others to play in the annual game are Isiah Thomas, John Paxson, Michael Jordan, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Garnett, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and others. The girls game will be the 14th annual classic. The event schedule for the McDonald’s All-American Games:
Dr. Bridges is a Texas native, writer, *March 28 – Player arrival in and history professor. He can be reached at drkenbridges@gmail.com. Chicago; orientation; welcome event *March 29 – Ronald McDonald House visit *March 30 – 28th Powerade Jamfest 6:30pm CT University of Chicago/ESPN2 *March 31 – Media Day 11:30am CT United Center *March 31 – Player Awards Banquet 6:00pm CT Union Station *April 1 – 38th McDonald’s All American Games – Girls Game 5:30pm CT United Center/ESPNU
