Sam Rayburn was an influential American politician who served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas for nearly 50 years, from 1913 to 1961. He was a member of the Democratic Party and held the position of Speaker of the House for a total of 17 years, making him one of the longest-serving speakers in U.S. history. Rayburn played a significant role in shaping key legislation during the mid-20th century, including the New Deal programs and various civil rights initiatives. He was known for his ability to build consensus and foster bipartisanship, earning respect from colleagues across the political spectrum.