preview

Allan Shivers Essay example

Decent Essays

Throughout Texas history, there have been a number of men and women to serve in their government that have stood out from the rest. Allan Shivers has been one of those men who have stuck out not only as a sore thumb, but even more as one of Texas greatest politicians. Even though his come down from politics was a rough road, his accomplishments more than equal out a bad reputation. From rags to riches, he is a landmark in the lone star state.
Allan Shivers was born Robert Allan Shivers on October 7, 1907 in Lufkin, Texas. He grew up in an area known as the Magnolia Hills near a little town called Woodville where he attended primary school. The Woodville school system only went up to the eighth grade. When …show more content…

After only a year of practicing law, Shivers decided to run of office of the State Senate. Elected in 1934, he was the youngest member ever to sit in the Senate. He held a seat in senate for twelve years, however was enlisted in the army part time between 1943 and 1945. This was only possible because being in the senate did not pay enough as a result of a biennial meeting salary base. In 1946, after inheriting a millionaire’s fortune via his wife, he ran and was elected Lieutenant Governor. In the three years of being Lt. Governor, he showed the state what he could do in a position of power. He initiated a practice of appointing senators to specific committees with daily agendas subsequently jumpstarting legislation. He was able to re-organize the public school system, appropriate funds for higher education, and increase funds for improving hospitals and highways among many other things. Shivers was re-elected in 1948 and assumed governorship in 1949. His governor and party ally, Beauford H. Jester, had died of a fatal heart attack.
As governor, he was able to accomplish more than when he was in the senate and the lieutenant governorship combined. He pushed tax increases but initiated higher teacher salaries, raised aid funds for the elderly and created councils and boards to help the efficiency of the legislation process. However, there were

Get Access