Happy Birthday, Ed Lee Gossett! The former congressman representing Texas’s Thirteenth Congressional District, 1939-1951, would be 116 years old on January 27. Gossett was a Democrat, though he frequently opposed New Deal policies of his own party. He served as the chairman for the Committee on Elections No. 2 and as a member of the Immigration and Naturalization Committee. He was also influential in tidelands legislation and national railroad freight rates. After retiring from office, Gossett worked in private practice as attorney general for the Texas Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, and as Judge of Criminal District Court in Dallas.
This campaign circular from Gossett’s papers dates from the mid-1940s, and emphasizes his platform of ability, experience, and seniority. Fortunately, it worked for him and he secured a victory, continuing to represent Texas until 1951. Here at Poage Library, we have Ed Lee Gossett’s papers in our possession. To access the finding aid, click here.