Former Republican Congressman Bill Archer, who represented the west Houston area for three decades, passed away on Saturday in Virginia at the age of 98. His death was confirmed on Sunday by the Archer Center, which he co-founded after leaving Congress.
Archer is widely recognized for his significant contributions to federal politics, having begun his political career with two terms in the Texas House. Initially a Democrat when he entered the legislature in 1967, he switched to the Republican Party two years later.
In 1970, Archer was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as the representative for Texas’ 7th Congressional District, succeeding George H. W. Bush. Over his extensive career, he ascended to the position of chairman of the influential House Ways and Means Committee, where he played a key role in significant tax reforms, including the reduction of the estate tax and the introduction of the $500-per-child tax credit.
In 2001, he founded the Archer Center in collaboration with the University of Texas System, which has since facilitated the participation of over 2,200 students in its fellowship program. Chancellor John M. Zerwas expressed pride in having Congressman Archer’s legacy associated with the university’s mission, noting that thousands of Archer Fellows have been inspired by his commitment to civic engagement.
William “Reyn” Archer III shared that his father regarded his most significant accomplishment as “helping individual people.” He emphasized his father’s deep belief in empowering individuals to reach their potential, a value that continues through the Archer Center’s work in Texas.
