Former House Speaker and veteran Texas congressman Jim Wright dies at age 92

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Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Former House Speaker Jim Wright
Former House Speaker Jim Wright
AP-AP

DALLAS, TX -- Jim Wright, a veteran Texas congressman who was the first House speaker in history to driven out of office in midterm, has died. He was 92.

The Harveson and Cole funeral home says Wright died early Wednesday morning. He'd been living at a nursing home in Fort Worth.

Wright represented the Fort Worth area for 34 years, beginning with his election in 1954. He was the Democratic majority leader in the House for a decade, rising to the speakership in January 1987, to replace Tip O'Neill.

But after about two years as House speaker, Wright was charged with 69 violations of House rules on reporting of gifts, accepting gifts from people with an interest in legislation, and limits on outside income. He left office in June 1989.

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