His support for the war and the seniority system in Congress caused increasing numbers of younger members to challenge his leadership; McCormack survived a 1969 contest with Mo Udall for the Speakership.

[2] In fact, Mary Ellen McCormack carried eight children to term, and six lived long enough to be counted in the census or included in other records.

[1] He then left school to help support his family, initially working for $3 a week (about $95 in 2021) as an errand boy for a brokerage firm.

[7] As a young man, McCormack began his involvement in politics by making campaign speeches on behalf of local Democratic candidates.

[9][10] In June 1918, McCormack enlisted in the United States Army for World War I,[11] and was initially posted to Camp Devens, Massachusetts, as a member of the 14th Company of the 151st Depot Brigade.

[12] McCormack advanced through the ranks from private to sergeant major, and was attending Officer Training School at Camp Lee when the Armistice occurred.

[11] He soon entered the state legislature, representing the 11th Suffolk District[13] in the House from 1920 to 1922 and serving in the Senate from 1923 to 1926, including holding the leadership position of Democratic floor leader in 1925 and 1926.

[14] He resumed practicing law, and built a successful career as a trial attorney, which enabled him to enjoy an income that reached $30,000 a year (approximately $400,000 in 2016).

[20] McCormack maintained a consistently liberal voting record throughout his Congressional career, including support for the New Deal.

[28] After Rayburn's death in November 1961, McCormack acted as Speaker until winning election to the post in early 1962; he served from January 1962 until retiring from the House in 1971.

[18] McCormack's nine years as Speaker were dominated by House passage of Great Society legislation during the administration of Lyndon B. Johnson, including laws to expand civil rights, access to public education, and health care for the elderly.

[20] In 1963, McCormack changed his position, and oversaw passage of an aid bill devoted primarily to public schools.

[20] McCormack's demeanor changed during these years and he reminded some observers of a kindly elder relative attempting to provide wisdom and guidance to unruly younger family members.

[20] His weakness was that the seniority system created entrenched committee chairmen who wielded great power in the House, but could not be controlled by the Speaker.

[20] As Speaker, McCormack pursued a national agenda; he was proud of fighting for passage of farm bills, though he said he did not have "more than five flower pots in my whole district.

[30] Jerome R. Waldie of California asked a party caucus to declare a lack of confidence in his leadership, which it refused to do.

[35] The McCormack Graduate School's mission currently includes training in social justice, government accountability and transparency, and strengthening democratic institutions.

[11] McCormack and his wife were devout Roman Catholics, and he was a Knight of Columbus;[39] both were honored by the Vatican in recognition of their work on behalf of the church.