Ralph Yarborough

Who was Ralph Yarborough?

Ralph Webster Yarborough was a Texas Democratic politician who served in the United States Senate from 1957 to 1971 and was a leader of the progressive or liberal wing of his party in his many races for statewide office. As a United States Senator, he was a staunch supporter and author of "Great Society" legislation that encompassed Medicare and Medicaid, the War on Poverty, federal support for higher education and veterans. He co-wrote the Endangered Species Act and was the most powerful proponent of the Big Thicket National Preserve. He was the only southern senator to vote for all civil rights bills from 1957 to 1970. Yarborough was known as "Smilin' Ralph" and used the slogan "Let's put the jam on the lower shelf so the little people can reach it" in his campaigns.