H.R. No. 187
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, The Honorable Ralph M. Hall concluded his remarkable
tenure in the United States House of Representatives in January
2015, having served with distinction in the U.S. Congress for 34
years; and
WHEREAS, One of the longest serving members of the house,
Congressman Hall was first elected in 1980; he greatly benefited
his constituents through his tremendous dedication, and he earned a
well-deserved reputation in Congress as an effective legislator and
a statesman; the admired dean of the Texas delegation, he became the
oldest serving member in the history of the house on December 25,
2012; and
WHEREAS, This notable Texan served on the House Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology from the very beginning of his
congressional career, and he became its chair in 2011; in this role,
he worked to maintain the nation's preeminence in space, expand
energy resources, and promote science and technology research,
development, and education; moreover, he sought to ensure that
federal regulations were based on a solid scientific foundation; he
was named chair emeritus of the committee at the beginning of the
113th Congress, and he also served on the Energy and Commerce
Committee, the Energy and Power Subcommittee, and the Environment
and the Economy Subcommittee; and
WHEREAS, Deeply committed to public service, Congressman
Hall served as county judge of Rockwall County from 1950 to 1962,
and he was president of the State Judges and Commissioners
Association; in 1962, he won election to the Texas Senate, and he
served that body as president pro tempore from 1968 to 1969; and
WHEREAS, Ralph Hall was born in Fate in Rockwall County;
coming of age during World War II, he joined the United States Navy
and served as an aircraft carrier pilot from 1942 to 1945; after the
war, he completed his law degree at Southern Methodist University,
and he maintained a private law practice for many years;
additionally, he has been very active in the Rockwall business
community as president and chief executive officer of Texas
Aluminum Corporation, general counsel of Texas Extrusion Company,
and chair of Lakeside News; he was a founding member of Lakeside
National Bank and continues to serve as its chair; and
WHEREAS, Throughout his long record of public service, Ralph
Hall has demonstrated an unyielding commitment to his fellow
citizens, and although his colleagues in Washington, D.C., will
surely miss his wise counsel and wonderful sense of humor, his
outstanding leadership in Congress has made a lasting, positive
impact in the Lone Star State and in our nation; now, therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas
Legislature hereby recognize the Honorable Ralph M. Hall for his
accomplishments as a member of the United States Congress and
extend to him sincere appreciation for his exemplary service; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for Congressman Hall as an expression of high regard by the
Texas House of Representatives.
Flynn
Phillips
Hughes
Burkett
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 187 was adopted by the House on
February 19, 2015, by a non-record vote.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House