"The strength of a nation is determined by its leadership, by its contributing parts, the states and the people, and by the final end accomplished by all these factors working together. Mr. Sam Rayburn, one of the truly great  leaders of America, contributed to the strength of our nation through the decisions he made, through the policies he set, and through the encouragement he gave to all America. As the mace symbolized Mr. Sam's strength, the capital symbolizes the strength of each state, which contributes as a part to the whole nation. The states work together, in accordance and in contrast with each other, building a stronger, more democratic nation. But the state, thus the nation, can never stand without its people especially its youth, the ever-changing, ever-improving basis of America freedom. In turn, the youth's rise or fall depends upon its education, which is dependent upon the school, the final symbol portrayed here in 1965 Statesman."

The school was named after Samuel Taliaferro Rayburn.

Sam Rayburn was born January 6, 1882. His birthplace was near Kingston, Roane County, Tennessee. In 1887 his parents moved with him to Fannin County, Texas. They settled near Windom in a community called Flag Springs. After attending rural schools, Mr. Rayburn graduated from Mayo's East Texas Normal College of Commerce, Texas, in 1903, which he studied law at the University of Texas. In 1908 he was admitted to the bar and opened a practice in Bonham, Fannin County, Texas.

From 1907 to 1913 he was a member of the State House of Representatives, serving as its Speaker in 1912 and 1913. He was elected as a Democrat to the 63rd Congress of the United States for the term beginning March 4, 1913 and took the oath of office as a member of the House of Representatives on April 7, 1913, when the Congress was called into extraordinary sessions by the newly elected President Woodrow Wilson. He served continuously from the 63rd Congress to the 87th Congress. In the 75th and 76th Congress (1937-1940) he served as a majority leader.

Sam Rayburn was re-elected Speaker in the 77th, 78, and 79 Congresses (1941-1946). He was the Minority leader in the 80th Congress (1947-48) and the 83rd Congress (1953-54). The 81st Congress, and every Congress to the 87th (expect the 83rd) re-elected him to the Speaker-ship. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1912 and served for 48 years, a record tenure. He became Democratic Leader of  Houston in 1937 and Speaker of the House in 1940. He held that post for 17 years, another record. Sam Rayburn was advisor to Presidents Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy. Sam Rayburn served as congressmen during the administrations of eight presidents and participated in the passage of most of the significant legislation of the first half of the twentieth century. He became chairman of the powerful Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce in 1931 and House majority leader in 1937. Rayburn, as well as Vice President John Nance Garner, played a critical role in passing much of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal.

As a Democrat, he prided himself on his ability to follow as well as to lead. He followed the leadership of President Woodrow Wilson in his early years of Congress. He followed that of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the New Deal, Harry S. Truman in the fair Deal, And John F. Kennedy on the New Frontier. He often said that "you can't be a leader and ask other people to follow you unless you know how to follow, too." You cannot lead people by trying to drive them. Persuasion and reason are the only ways to lead them". In carrying out his philosophy of leadership, Mr. Rayburn drew on vast reserves of personal friendships and loyalties among colleagues in both parties. Other helpful assets included a reputation for unswerving veracity, massive integrity, and consistent fairness, a personality devoid of pretension and a relaxed sometimes earthy, sense of humor.

In 1949, Collier's Magazine a awarded Sam Rayburn $10,000 for distinguished service to the nation. Rayburn used this award to establish and endowment that, with additional gifts, eventually grew large enough to support the construction and operation f a library and museum. Known affectionately as "Mr. Sam" by his friends and colleagues, Mr. Rayburn established the library and museum in 1957 as a tribute to the people of his cherished Fannin County. The museum is located approximately 1.5 miles west of the Sam Rayburn Library and Museum of  US 82. The museum is operated by the Texas Historical Commission and is open to the public daily, Tuesday trough Saturday. He summed up his career in a sentence. "I am one man in public life who is satisfied, who has achieved every ambition of his youth".