This month's Texoma Legend is the late Sam Rayburn, who served as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives longer than any other person. Rayburn was born in Tennessee in 1884, but moved to Fannin County with his family when he was a child.

Rayburn graduated from Mayo College in Commerce, which is Texas A&M University-Commerce today. He was a school teacher briefly, before running for State Representative. He went on to serve as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives before winning the Congressional race for Texas' 4th District.

Rayburn was elected Speaker of the U.S. House in 1940, when he was 58 years old. His term as Speaker was interrupted only twice, when the GOP gained control of the house. Rayburn died in 1961, and despite his long time spent in Washington he always considered Fannin County home.