STANLEY, VA. — Former U.S. Rep. Bill Archer, a Republican from Texas, died Saturday at his farm in Stanley, Va., at age 98. He came to Congress in 1971, where he represented west Houston for three decades.

Archer was elected to fill former President George H. W. Bush's House seat. Before his time in Congress, he served two terms in the Texas legislature. He began his political career as a Democrat before switching to the Republican Party.

Archer served three terms as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee in the 1990s. He was the first Republican to chair the committee after Republicans gained control of the House in 1994. During his tenure, Archer played a role in establishing the $500-per-child tax credit and decreasing the estate tax. He also worked with the Clinton White House to preserve Medicare.

Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith issued a statement regarding Archer's passing. "Serving as the first Republican chairman after Republicans took back the House in 1994, he was instrumental in passing fiscally conservative tax policies that returned Americans more of their hard-earned dollars," Smith said. "His legacy lives on today in policies like the Child Tax Credit, which he helped create, and in our enduring commitment to a pro-growth tax code that will benefit American families for years to come."

Ways and Means ranking member Richard E. Neal also issued a statement. "I'll always remember how he approached every issue on its merits, recognizing that good ideas could come from anywhere, regardless of party," Neal said.

Archer did not seek reelection in 2000. After leaving Congress, he established the Archer Center, the Washington campus for the University of Texas. The first class of students arrived at the Archer Center in 2001, and the center has since had more than 2,200 participants.

William "Reyn" Archer III, Bill Archer's eldest son, commented on his father's legacy. "My dad would often tell me that while it was rewarding to pass major legislation, he felt his greatest accomplishment was in helping individual people," the younger Archer said. He added, "He cared deeply for the power of one person achieving their best."