Millard's Crossing Appreciates the Expose that Nac Historic Sites ran on the anniversary of Congressman Thomas's death.
Albert Langston Thomas was born April 12, 1898 in Nacogdoches Texas. The son James N. Thomas (1868-1945) and Lorna B. Langston (1874-1936). He attended Nacogdoches High School where he met and fell for Lera Millard.
Albert served in World War I in the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant, and then attended Rice University in Houston where he received a A.B. degree in 1920. He got his law degree from the University of Texas in 1926.
Albert married Lera Millard (1900-1993) on October 2, 1922 in Nacogdoches. They had three children together.
1) James N. Thomas (1923-1934)
Anne Thomas (1938)
Lera Thomas (1942)
The Thomas's moved to Houston in 1932. Albert going to work as an Assistant U.S. District Attorney. In 1936 Albert defeated Houston Mayor Oscar Holcembe in the Harris County race for Congress from the eighth district; becoming a Democrat Representative for Texas a position he held for 30 years. He became Chairman of an appropriations subcommittee that handled billions of dollars annually for independent government offices.
Albert was close friends with President Lyndon B. Johnson who said at the time of his death.
" of all the qualities that made Albert Thomas a remarkable man, devotion to the people he served and loyalty to his friends stand higher the all. I knew him - and knew him well for a long time. He loved Houston and the Congress of the United States. He worked hard. He served well. His death leaves a lonely place in the lives of those who knew him best."
House Speaker John W. McCormack called Thomas
"One of the greatest legislators of all time."
He passed away from cancer on February 15, 1966 in Washington D.C. He was buried at the Houston National Cemetery in Houston Texas. his legacy was carried on by his wife Lera Thomas who went on to run in a special election to fill her husbands empty seat in congress. She went on to found Millard's Crossing which still takes pride in its association with Albert Thomas.
Blog by: Chris McLaughlin
(All photo's for this blog were taken from the "Millard's Crossing Archives" Newspaper quotes were taken from the Tyler Morning Telegraph 16Feb1966 page 1)
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