Billy Wayne “Bill” Clayton (1928 – 2007), was an American politician from West Texas who served as a state legislator for twenty years and was Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives from 1975 to 1983, a tenure twice as long as that of any other presiding officer of the house elected before him. Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the West Texas is a region in Texas that has more in common geographically with the Southwestern United States than it does with the rest of the state The Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the Texas House Clayton, a conservative Democrat from a rural area of the Texas South Plains, attained the speakership by successfully forging a broad-based House coalition. The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. Texas ( is a state geographically located in the South Central United States and is also known as the Lone Star State. The South Plains is a region in West Texas comprising the area north of the Caprock Escarpment on the Llano Estacado, and extending north into the He was considered one of the most influential legislators and, after he left the chamber, lobbyists in modern Texas history. Lobbying includes all attempts to influence Legislators and officials whether by other legislators constituents or organized groups
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Early life
Clayton was born September 11, 1928, in Olney in Young County to William Thomas Clayton and the former Myrtle Chitwood. Events 9 - The Battle of the Teutoburg Forest ends 506 - The Bishops of Visigothic Gaul Year 1928 ( MCMXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Olney is a city in Young County, Texas, United States. The population was 3396 at the 2000 census Young County is a County located in the US state of Texas. In 2000 its population was 17943 He grew up in tiny Springlake in Lamb County. Springlake is a town in Lamb County, Texas, United States. The population was 135 at the 2000 census Lamb County is a County located in the US state of Texas. In 2000 its population was 23722 He graduated from the Springlake-Earth High School and then attended Texas A&M University in College Station, where he earned a degree in agricultural economics. Earth is a city in Lamb County, Texas, United States. The Population was 1109 at the 2000 Census. Texas A&M University, often called A&M or TAMU, is a Coeducational public Research University located in College Station College Station is a city in Brazos County, Texas, situated in Central Texas. Agricultural economics originally applied the principles of Economics to the production of Crops and Livestock — a discipline known as Agronomics After college graduation in 1950, he returned to Springlake to help manage the family farm. Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Eventually, Clayton expanded his agricultural operations and became involved in diversified business enterprises.
Clayton married Delma J. Dennis on March 11, 1950. Events 1425 BC - Thutmose III, Pharaoh of Egypt, dies (according to the Low Chronology of the 18th Dynasty Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Together they had two children, Tommy and Brenda. At the time of his death, Clayton had five grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Political career
In Lamb County, Clayton participated in precinct and county politics, and served as a delegate for Lyndon B. Johnson at the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles. The 1960 Democratic National Convention was held in Los Angeles. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Two years later, Clayton was elected to the seat vacated by State Representative Jesse M. Osborne,[1] eventually being re-elected nine times.
Clayton, a leading spokesman on water issues, sponsored major legislation addressing the state's need for increased water resources and effective conservation programs. He also promoted these issues as a delegate to many regional and national conferences on water. He was the president of the Interstate Conference on Water Problems.
Clayton as Speaker
After twelve years in the Texas House, Clayton was elected Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives in 1975. The Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives is the presiding officer of the Texas House As Speaker, Clayton extensively modernized House operations. He implemented a more streamlined, cost-efficient system of house administration. Texas' lawmakers were provided with more support services, and advanced computerization of legislative information further facilitated their work. Clayton refurbished press facilities in the Capitol and acquired additional office space in the Reagan Building for legislative agencies, House operating staff, and House committees.
In reforming House rules and policies, Clayton placed particular emphasis on expanding the role of the standing (permanent) House committees. He initiated the issuance of interim charges to those committees, directing the committees to conduct research on legislative issues between regular legislative sessions. Clayton delegated to standing committees additional budgetary and oversight responsibilities for state agencies and institutions under their jurisdiction. By the modification of the method of reviewing appropriations bills, he allowed legislators more participation in the budgeting process. Another policy change instituted by Clayton permits House members to file bills in advance of the session, thereby reducing excessive paperwork and printing when the legislature convenes.
Clayton also served as vice-chairman, along with Lieutenant Governor Bill Hobby, of the Joint Advisory Committee on Governmental Operations, known as the Hobby-Clayton Commission. A Lieutenant Governor is a high officer of state whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction William Pettus “Bill” Hobby Jr, (born January 19, 1932) is a Texas Democratic Politician who served a record eighteen years As a result of one of its recommendations, the next legislature passed the Texas Sunset Act.
While he was Speaker, Clayton served as chairman of both the Southern Legislative Conference and the Council of State Governments.
Later years
Although Clayton chose not to pursue elective office again in 1982, he maintained his active interest in legislative affairs. Year 1982 ( MCMLXXXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar) In 1985, Clayton switched to the Republican Party and, four years later, was appointed by Governor William Perry "Bill" Clements, Jr., to serve as a regent of the Texas A&M University System. Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) William Perry "Bill" Clements Jr (born April 17, 1917) is the first Republican to have served as Governor of the U The Texas A&M University System is one of the largest and most complex systems of higher education in the United States. Texas A&M recognized Clayton in 1979 for outstanding service and named him a distinguished alumnus. Year 1979 ( MCMLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link displays the 1979 Gregorian calendar) In 1988, Clayton was named as president of the Texas A&M Association of Former Students. Year 1988 ( MCMLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar)
Clayton is also remembered for his indictment and later acquittal on federal bribery charges filed as part of a Federal Bureau of Investigation sting operation known as BriLab. In the Common law legal system an indictment (ɪnˈdaɪtmənt (in-DITE-mint is a formal accusation of having committed a criminal offense In Criminal law, an acquittal is a verdict of not guilty, or some similar end of the proceeding that terminates it with prejudice without a verdict Bribery, a form of pecuniary corruption is an act usually implying money or gift given that alters the behaviour of the recipient in ways not consistent with the duties of that person After his own legal troubles, he sponsored legislation to establish new ethics laws. In later years, he served on the board of the interest group "Campaigns for People", a group which lobbied for stricter campaign finance disclosure laws.
In 1990, Clayton returned to school and obtained a master of business administration degree from the University of Texas at Austin. The Master of Business Administration ( MBA) is a Master's degree in Business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines
In May 2000, the Amarillo Globe News named Clayton to its 20th century "History Makers of the High Plains" listing.
Clayton died after a lengthy illness in Lubbock on 6 January 2007. Events 1066 - Harold Godwinson is crowned King of England. 1205 - Philip of Swabia becomes King Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Funeral services were held on January 10, 2007, at the First Baptist Church of Springlake, followed by his interment in Springlake Cemetery. Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Texas Governor Rick Perry ordered flags on state buildings flown at half-staff on the day of Clayton's funeral. James Richard "Rick" Perry (born March 4, 1950) is a Republican Politician and the current Governor of Texas [2]
State Representative Delwin Jones, a longtime friend, called Clayton a "tremendous guy. Delwin L Jones is a US state Political figure from West Texas currently serving as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from " Jones told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that he recalled many airplane trips from Austin to Lubbock that the two took together, with Clayton being the pilot. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal is a Newspaper based in Lubbock Texas, U Their friendship dated back nearly four decades. Jones said that Clayton's interest in water was his greatest accomplishment: He was "really dedicated to water for the state, water for agriculture - Bill Clayton was one of the original water experts for the state of Texas. "
Former State Representative Hugo Berlanga said that one could not "help but like Billy Clayton - he loved Texas and he took a keen interest in South Texas. He was a great friend and one of the finest Speakers we ever had. "
Hector Uribe, who served three years in the House under Clayton and later worked with him as a lobbyist said that he was the first speaker to reach out to ethnic minorities. "Although he came from a very conservative area, he understood that Texas was a very diverse state and [he] tried to be inclusive," Uribe said. One result was that Craig Washington of Houston became the first African American Speaker pro Tempore. } Craig Anthony Washington (born October 12, 1941 in Longview, Gregg County, Texas) is a former African-American congressman representing African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a legislative body Also under Clayton, the House Mexican American Caucus was created.
Gib Lewis, who succeeded Clayton as Speaker said that his colleague had "the talent and the ability to make everybody the best legislator [that he] could be. Gibson Donald "Gib" Lewis (born ca 1937 is a Democratic U He let people represent their districts. "
The Bill Clayton Detention Center, a 310-bed medium-security prison in Littlefield, was named in his honor. Littlefield is a city in and the County seat of Lamb County, Texas, United States. [3]
External links
References
- ^ Because of seemingly arbitrary renumbering for Texas House districts, Clayton was elected from the 91st district in 1962, while succeeding Osborne, who represented the 96th district.
- ^ Associated Press. "State flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Clayton" (subscription required), Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 2007-01-10. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal is a Newspaper based in Lubbock Texas, U Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war. Retrieved on 2007-01-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople
- ^ "Former Speaker of The House Bill Clayton Dies", KCBD-TV, 2007-01-08. KCBD "NewsChannel 11" is the NBC network affiliate serving the entire Lubbock Texas metropolitan area owned and operated by Raycom Media Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Retrieved on 2007-01-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople "The detention center in Littlefield is named after Bill Clayton. "
- Research Division of the Texas Legislative Council (February 2002). Presiding Officers of the Texas Legislature, 1846–2002 (pdf), Revised 2002, Austin, Texas: The Council. Retrieved on 2007-01-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army
- Staff and Wire Reports. "Billy Clayton", Dallas Morning News, 2007-01-08. The Dallas Morning News is the major daily Newspaper serving the Dallas, Texas ( USA) area with a circulation of around a half-million Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Retrieved on 2007-01-08. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army
- Briscoe, Robin; Enrique Rangel. "Former state House leader Clayton dies" (subscription required), Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 2007-01-08. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal is a Newspaper based in Lubbock Texas, U Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Retrieved on 2007-01-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople
- "Billy Wayne "Bill" Clayton" (subscription required), Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, 2007-01-09. Lubbock Avalanche-Journal is a Newspaper based in Lubbock Texas, U Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 475 - Byzantine Emperor Zeno is forced to flee his capital at Constantinople. Retrieved on 2007-01-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople
| Preceded by Max Carriker |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 91 (Springlake) 1963-1967 |
Succeeded by W. The Texas House of Representatives is the Lower house of the Texas Legislature. Springlake is a town in Lamb County, Texas, United States. The population was 135 at the 2000 census J. “Bill” Blythe, Jr. |
| Preceded by Roger D. Brown |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 78 (Springlake) 1967-1969 |
Succeeded by Ralph Wayne |
| Preceded by Temple Dickson |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 72 (Springlake) 1969-1973 |
Succeeded by 72-1: Ralph “Skip” Scoggins 72-2: Charles Tupper, Jr. The Texas House of Representatives is the Lower house of the Texas Legislature. Springlake is a town in Lamb County, Texas, United States. The population was 135 at the 2000 census Robert Temple Dickson III ( October 29, 1934 – November 29, 2006) was a prominent trial Lawyer, Rancher, and a former The Texas House of Representatives is the Lower house of the Texas Legislature. Springlake is a town in Lamb County, Texas, United States. The population was 135 at the 2000 census 72-3: Ronald D. Coleman 72-4: Luther Jones |
| Preceded by Inactive district |
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 74 (Springlake) 1973-1983 |
Succeeded by Robert “Bob” Valles |
| Preceded by Price Daniel, Jr. |
Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives 1975-1983 |
Succeeded by Gib Lewis |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Clayton, Billy Wayne |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Clayton, Bill |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Texas politician, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives |
| DATE OF BIRTH | September 11, 1928 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Olney, Texas |
| DATE OF DEATH | January 6, 2007 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Lubbock, Texas |
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