Richard M. Kleberg
Encyclopedia
Richard Mifflin Kleberg, Sr. (November 18, 1887 – May 8, 1955), a Democrat, was a seven-term member of the United States House of Representatives
from Texas's 14th congressional district
over the period 1931–1945 and an heir to the King Ranch
in South Texas
. He was first elected in 1931 in a special election called due to the death of Harry M. Wurzbach
. His election caused the Democratic party to achieve an absolute majority in the House of Representatives --- a majority it retained for all but four of the next sixty-three years. He was elected unopposed in 1940 and 1942. Lyndon B. Johnson
served as a congressional secretary under Kleberg from 1931 until his appointment as head of the Texas National Youth Administration
in 1935.
Kleberg was the son of Alice Gertrudis (King) and Robert Justus Kleberg.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from Texas's 14th congressional district
Texas's 14th congressional district
Texas's 14th district for the United States House of Representatives is a Congressional district that covers the area south and southwest of the Greater Houston region, including Galveston, in the state of Texas. The district was created as a result of the 1900 U.S. Census and was first contested...
over the period 1931–1945 and an heir to the King Ranch
King Ranch
King Ranch, located in south Texas between Corpus Christi and Brownsville, is one of the world's largest ranches. The ranch, founded in 1853 by Captain Richard King and Gideon K. Lewis, includes portions of six Texas counties, including most of Kleberg County and much of Kenedy County, with...
in South Texas
South Texas
South Texas is a region of the U.S. state of Texas that lies roughly south of and including San Antonio. The southern and western boundary is the Rio Grande River, and to the east it is the Gulf of Mexico. The population of this region is about 3.7 million. The southern portion of this region is...
. He was first elected in 1931 in a special election called due to the death of Harry M. Wurzbach
Harry M. Wurzbach
Harry McLeary Wurzbach was the first Republican since Reconstruction to represent Texas for more than two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. Rep. Robert B. Hawley had previously served as a Republican for a Galveston based congressional district from 1897-1901...
. His election caused the Democratic party to achieve an absolute majority in the House of Representatives --- a majority it retained for all but four of the next sixty-three years. He was elected unopposed in 1940 and 1942. Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
served as a congressional secretary under Kleberg from 1931 until his appointment as head of the Texas National Youth Administration
National Youth Administration
The National Youth Administration was a New Deal agency in the United States that focused on providing work and education for Americans between the ages of 16 and 24. It operated from 1935 to 1939 as part of the Works Progress Administration . Following the passage of the Reorganization Act of...
in 1935.
Kleberg was the son of Alice Gertrudis (King) and Robert Justus Kleberg.
External links
- http://www.king-ranch.com/legend.htm
- The Political Graveyard: Index to Politicians: Kittredge to Kleier at politicalgraveyard.com