U.S. Congressman; House Ways and Means Chairman
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Key moments and achievements from William Archer's life.
William was born
· Stanley, Virginia, USA
Degree
After a year at Rice University, Archer transferred to the University of Texas, where he earned a B.B.A. and then an LL.B. with honors in 1951 before returning to Houston to work as an attorney and businessman.
Degree
After a year at Rice University, Archer transferred to the University of Texas, where he earned a B.B.A. and then an LL.B. with honors in 1951 before returning to Houston to work as an attorney and businessman.
Local Office
Archer served as a councilman and mayor pro tempore of Hunters Creek Village from 1955 to 1962, entering public life while he was president of Uncle Johnny Mills, Inc.
Local Office
Archer served as a councilman and mayor pro tempore of Hunters Creek Village from 1955 to 1962, entering public life while he was president of Uncle Johnny Mills, Inc.
State Office
Elected from Houston in 1966 as a Democrat, Archer took office in the 60th Legislature on January 10, 1967. He switched to the Republican Party on December 7, 1967, and served his second term, from January 1969 to January 1971, as a Republican.
State Office
Elected from Houston in 1966 as a Democrat, Archer took office in the 60th Legislature on January 10, 1967. He switched to the Republican Party on December 7, 1967, and served his second term, from January 1969 to January 1971, as a Republican.
Election
Archer won the west Houston seat vacated by George H.W. Bush and held it for 30 years, winning reelection by landslide margins and at times running unopposed.
Election
Archer won the west Houston seat vacated by George H.W. Bush and held it for 30 years, winning reelection by landslide margins and at times running unopposed.
Legislation
As Ways and Means chairman, Archer helped negotiate the 1997 balanced budget agreement, a goal he had pursued for two decades, alongside tax relief that created a $500 per child tax credit, expanded IRAs and eased the estate tax.
Legislation
As Ways and Means chairman, Archer helped negotiate the 1997 balanced budget agreement, a goal he had pursued for two decades, alongside tax relief that created a $500 per child tax credit, expanded IRAs and eased the estate tax.
Founding
Upon retiring from Congress in January 2001, Archer partnered with the University of Texas System to create the Archer Center, growing a high school internship program he began in 1971 into a fellowship that has brought more than 2,200 students to Washington.
Founding
Upon retiring from Congress in January 2001, Archer partnered with the University of Texas System to create the Archer Center, growing a high school internship program he began in 1971 into a fellowship that has brought more than 2,200 students to Washington.
Milestone
In spring 2026, Archer celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Archer Fellowship Program with students and alumni at the Library of Congress. It was his last public appearance.
Milestone
In spring 2026, Archer celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Archer Fellowship Program with students and alumni at the Library of Congress. It was his last public appearance.
William Archer passed away
