Renowned for his 'brilliant legislative mind' and political oratory - as well as for bicycling to Congress in a rumpled white linen suit and bow tie - U.S. Congressman Bob Eckhardt was a force to reckon with in Texas and national politics from the 1940s until 1980. A liberal Democrat who successfully championed progressive causes, from workers' rights to consumer protection to environmental preservation and energy conservation, Eckhardt won the respect of opponents as well as allies. Columnist Jack Anderson praised him as one of the most effective members of Congress, where Eckhardt was a national leader and mentor to younger congressmen such as Al Gore. In this biography of Robert Christian Eckhardt (1913-2001), Gary A. Keith tells the story of Eckhardt's colourful life and career within the context of the changing political landscape of Texas and the rise of the New Right and the two-party state.He begins with Eckhardt's German-American family heritage and then traces his progression from labour lawyer, political organizer, and cofounder of the progressive "Texas Observer" magazine to Texas state legislator and U.S. congressman.
Keith describes many of Eckhardt's legislative battles and victories, including the passage of the Open Beaches Act and the creation of the Big Thicket National Preserve, the struggle to limit presidential war-making ability through the War Powers Act, and the hard fight to shape President Carter's energy policy, as well as Eckhardt's work in Texas to tax the oil and gas industry. The only thorough recounting of the life of a memorable, important, and flamboyant man, "Eckhardt" also recalls the last great era of progressive politics in the twentieth century and the key players who strove to make Texas and the United States a more just, inclusive society.
- ISBN10 0292716915
- ISBN13 9780292716919
- Publish Date 1 December 2007 (first published 1 November 2007)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 29 November 2014
- Publish Country US
- Imprint University of Texas Press
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 448
- Language English