30. Sam Rayburn
Sam Rayburn served as Speaker of the House of Representatives longer than any other person in American history, serving in three separate periods of Democratic majority a total of more than 17 years. He was the impetus in the government which led to the construction of America’s fabled Route 66. His 24 term congressional career spanned the presidencies of Woodrow Wilson to John Kennedy. Throughout his career he championed America’s farmers and rural communities, supporting programs which led to flood control and electrification in rural areas, as well as the paving of rural roads.