Former House Speaker Jim Wright of Fort Worth has died

Former Speaker of the House Jim Wright, a Democrat from Fort Worth, died today (Wednesday, May 6). He was 92.
A former member of the Texas House and Weatherford mayor, he was later elected to Congress, having defeated an eight year incumbent. The Democrat rose in the ranks of House leadership, ultimately serving as House Speaker from 1987 to 1989 before resigning over a scandal.
He told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last year he shouldn’t have retired.
Wright was perhaps most well-known for drafting the Wright Amendment, which restricted air travel to and from Love Field. It was repealed in 2014.
But he also knew how to bring home the pork. In a nod to Wright, President John F. Kennedy once called “Fort Worth the best represented city” in the country.
Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price told CBS 11 Wright was a leader who never forgot Texas or his district.
“He was there when Kennedy was shot. He was good friends with John Kennedy and John Connally and really witnessed an incredible amount of history,” she said.  “But he always kept Texas in his heart.”
He is survived by his wife, Betty, and four children.