House opens third office building, Feb. 23, 1965 – Politico

With President John F. Kennedy and former President Harry Truman chatting behind him, House Speaker Sam Rayburn takes part in a Democratic dinner May 27, 1961, in Washington. | AP Photo

By Andrew Glass

02/23/17 12:09 AM EST

Updated 02/23/17 12:00 AM EST

On this day in 1965, the third and most modern of the four office buildings currently being used by the House of Representatives opened on the south side of Independence Avenue. It was named for Texas Democratic Rep. Sam Rayburn. Mr. Sam, as he was widely known, served as speaker for 17 years. Some historians view him as one of the most effective leaders ever to hold that critical post.

Rayburn, who died in 1961 at age 79 while still serving in the speakership, was also known for dressing for the occasion. In Washington, he wore expensive suits, starched white shirts and perfectly shined shoes. But back in his hardscrabble northeastern Texas district, he favored blue jeans, boots and cowboy hats. At the time of his death, he had served as speaker for nearly twice as long as any of his predecessors.

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Rayburn himself initiated the building project in 1955, although without designating a specific site. J. George Stewart, the then-architect of the U.S. Capitol, chose Harbeson, Hough, Livingston & Larson of Philadelphia to design a classical-style building in harmony with the Capitol complex. Construction began in 1962. President John F. Kennedy, who had served in the House from 1949 to 1953 as a Massachusetts Democrat, spoke at a cornerstone-laying ceremony on May 24, 1962.

The neoclassical Rayburn Building forms a modified H, with four stories above ground, two basements and three levels of underground garage space. A white marble facade above a pink granite base covers its concrete and steel frame. A subway tunnel and electric train connects the building to the Capitol. Pedestrian tunnels join it to the adjacent Longworth Building, which opened in 1933.

On either side of the main entrance stand two 10-foot marble statues by C. Paul Jennewein, Spirit of Justice and Majesty of Law. The east and west walls feature eight marble rhytons, drinking horns formed of mythical figures known as chimeras. Rayburn is remembered in an oil portrait by Tom Lea, a marble relief by Paul Manship and a 6-foot bronze statue by Felix de Weldon.

Currently, some 169 House members are housed there in comfy three-room suites. In addition, there is space in the building to accommodate nine House committees and their related support staff. Amenities include a cafeteria, a first aid room, a Library of Congress book station, a recording studio, a gym and ancillary facilities for the press. A little-known shooting range, used mostly by members of the U.S. Capitol Police, as well as a basketball court are tucked into the buildings sub-basement.

SOURCE: ARCHITECT OF THE U.S. CAPITOL

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House opens third office building, Feb. 23, 1965 - Politico