Texas Political Leaders, Lawmakers React To Jim Wright's Death

Congresswoman Kay Granger (TX-12) released the following statement after former Speaker of the House Jim Wright passed away earlier today.

"Speaker Jim Wright's footprint in Fort Worth and North Texas is large. He was instrumental in projects that helped build this state and particularly North Texas to the prominent place it holds today. He helped save the Historic Stockyards District and authored the Wright Amendment which settled a bitter fight over DFW International Airport, allowing Fort Worth and Dallas to work together and share the economic growth largely credited to the success of the airport."

"My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and I join with so many others in mourning the loss of a true giant who worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Texas and the United States of America."

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"A skilled negotiator, captivating storyteller, great American, Speaker Wright was a Texas Democrat in every sense of the title. He was cut from the same cloth as Texas legends like President Lyndon Johnson and Speaker Sam Rayburn.
"We have a lost a statesman and a champion for our Democratic values and principles. He understood the great needs of our state and was able to work across party lines to pass laws that helped our state and country move forward. We are grateful for his commitment to the people of Texas and the rest of the country.

"We extend our condolences and prayers to Speaker Wright's, family, friends, and colleagues. He will be remembered and dearly missed."

Matt Angle, founder and director of the Lone Star Project, a Democratic research and communications PAC, released the following statement:

"I knew Jim Wright was my congressman before I entered the first grade – and that was not unusual for those of us who grew up in the Fort Worth area during the 60's and 70's. Jim Wright was not just a powerful and influential committee chair, then House Majority Leader, and then House Speaker, he was OUR congressman. He never lost touch and never stopped working for his district and the State of Texas.

"For someone who grew up in his district and admired him as a child, it was a great honor to work within the Texas delegation for former Congressman Martin Frost while Jim Wright served as Speaker of the U.S. House.

"What I saw at relatively close range was a strong leader with the courage and ability to inspire his colleagues to do the right thing even when it was very difficult for them, and for him, politically."