Late Speaker's wife sees son take oath as member of Congress. Washington, D.C., Jan. 3. Mrs.. Joseph W. Byrns, right, widow of late Speaker of the House, was at the Capitol bright and early today to see her son Joseph W. Byrnes, Jr., take the oath as representative from Tennessee. She was accompanied by Mrs. William B. Bankhead, center, wife of the present Speaker, and Mrs. Joseph W. Byrnes, Jr., 1/3/39