I Love Bonham, Texas!!!

I had said I was going to use this blog entry to talk about why I titled this blog "In The Arena," but today was not meant for that. Sometimes we just have to adjust to the moment. My wife has taught me that among many other things.

I am in Bonham, Texas this week--having some "get away--me and God" time and enjoying myself much and relaxing. Its for me to have some good prayer-meditation time, do a little ministry work with no distractions, and also enjoy myself. I think I am enjoying myself a little more than I am working but thats ok. God rested on the 7th day. :)

I love Bonham and have for many years. Its a beautiful little town with a lot of rich history and substance. The town is named after James Bonham, a man who had quite a legacy of his own.

Bonham was an aide to South Carolina Governor James Hamilton Jr. during the Nullification Crises of 1832--and he spoke out very harshly against President Jackson. Bonham went on to serve in the South Carolina Militia before eventually going to Texas to serve alongside his cousin William Barrett Travis. General Houston found Bonham to be a worthy army officer and appointed him Major in the new Texas Army. Bonham was killed in the final days of the siege of the Alamo manning one of the cannons.

My greatest hero I fondly admire though is a former native Bonham resident, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Sam Rayburn. While "Mr. Sam" as he was affectionately called by Bonhamites (hope Bonham residents are ok with that term :) ) passed away in November of 1961, his legacy lives on in American History and American Politics.

Sam Rayburn was a rare politician. He married as a young man, but that didn't take and he remained single the rest of his life. The House of Representatives was his wife for many years! Rayburn went to school at what is not East Texas A and M Commerce and he taught school for a while after he graduated. Sam ran for a seat in the Texas House of Representatives at 24 years old and 6 years later, became Texas House Speaker. A few years later, he would go on to win election to the U.S. House of Reps in 1912 and would remain in that office until he died in 1961.

I say Rayburn was a rare politician because he was just not your typical cut throat do whatever it takes to get elected and screw your opponents every chance you get kinda Congressman. He was a humble man who treated everyone with dignity and respect. Oh sure, he knew how to get things done and he was always up for a good fight. But when the fight was over, he was still a friend and a beloved colleague.

There is a story of when Joe Martin (House Republican Leader in the late 40s and early 50s) had lost the speakership due to the Democrats taking back over Congress in 1954. Martin was very sad and many of his Republican members were threatening mutiny and wanting to strip him of the the job of House GOP leader. Rayburn and Martin were good friends. When Martin sat down to meet with Rayburn to discuss transitioning him moving back into the Minority Leader's office and Rayburn back into the Speaker's very nice and ornate office--Rayburn had this to say: "Joe, all this moving back and forth business is getting old--why don't we just leave things like they are."

Wow, we don't see that kind of humility today do we? Most of the time when the Dems and Repubs are shouting at each other--they rarely ever even know each other and thats sad! Whatever happened to division stopping at the water's edge?

And Rayburn was truly a leader and was respected by not only his House colleagues--but all the leaders in Washington during his years as Speaker. (All 17 of those years). Many times when the a House majority had its mind made up on a particular bill or motion--if the Speaker was really impassioned about that issue--he would make a rare floor appearance and speak his position--and suddenly many members would change their votes to go the way he wanted to go. Not because they feared him--but because he just commanded that kind of respect and honor. WE NEED LEADERS LIKE THAT TODAY--IN BOTH PARTIES!!!

I could say so much more about "Mr. Sam." But if you are ever up near Bonham--go visit the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum. Its a wonderful place full of rich history of a great American leader.

God Bless,

Bruce