Former U.S. House Speaker Carl Albert Dies

Oklahoma loses a tremendous citizen and former political leader. Carl Albert, former Speaker of the House, died Friday night at the age of 91. <br><br>Carl Albert is probably best remembered as the US

Saturday, February 5th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Oklahoma loses a tremendous citizen and former political leader. Carl Albert, former Speaker of the House, died Friday night at the age of 91.

Carl Albert is probably best remembered as the US Speaker of the House during the Nixon and Ford eras. But for the people close to him he was known more for his kindness, honesty and caring.

"He was a wonderful father, especially in teaching morality and honor and concepts that I think are not stressed as much," says David Albert.

Carl Albert's only son, David, says losing his father is like losing a hero.

"We miss him very much but certainly there's too many things, just in McAlester you've seen Carl Albert parkway, federal building, his statue at the high school, junior high, junior college...I don't have to go very far to see things about my dad," says Albert.

Carl Albert died in his sleep Friday night in the same town where he grew up as the son of a coal miner. Those who watched him throughout his political career say what he did was amazing.

"I always wanted to follow in his footsteps and I did the best I could," says Senator Gene Stipe. "In this community we kind of consider him an all-American hero."

Albert was a Rhodes Scholar who graduated from the University of Oklahoma. He was born in 1908, which means he lived in 11 decades witnessing everything from The Great Depression to the invention of TV and cars.

"He saw remarkable things and did remarkable things," says Albert. "The things that stick out in my mind were the things he did to improve this country and notable among those were the civil rights acts that he was a principal proponent of that allowed for the first time Americans to truly be equal," says Albert.

Albert stood at just more than 5' 4 1/2". For that, he became known as the Little Giant from Little Dixie. Carl Albert may not have been small in stature but his friends and family say he left giant footsteps to follow.

President and Mrs. Clinton released a statement Saturday afternoon saying how saddened they are to hear about Albert's death. Carl Albert leaves behind his wife Mary of 57 years, a son, a daughter and four grandchildren. His funeral is Wednesday at 2 p.m. in McAlester.