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By:  Merritt                                                    H.C.R. No. 279



HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
	WHEREAS, For nearly a quarter-century, the Honorable Ralph M. 
Hall of the U.S. House of Representatives has ably served his 
constituents in the Fourth Congressional District, and the members 
of the Texas Legislature are proud to join with the citizens of the 
Lone Star State in paying tribute to this accomplished public 
servant; and
	WHEREAS, Born in Rockwall County on May 3, 1923, Congressman 
Hall answered his country's call to arms in 1942, enlisting in the 
United States Navy to serve as an aircraft carrier pilot during 
World War II; on his return to civilian life, he built a happy home 
life with his wife, the former Mary Ellen Murphy, a loving partner 
with whom he has three sons, Hampton, Brett, and Blakeley, and 
together they have welcomed five cherished grandchildren into the 
family; and
	WHEREAS, This outstanding gentleman, who attended The 
University of Texas at Austin and Texas Christian University, 
earned a bachelor of laws degree at Southern Methodist University; 
he entered public office for the first time in 1950 to serve as 
county judge of Rockwall County, leaving in 1962 to take his oath of 
office as a new member of the Texas Senate; he served in that 
capacity with great distinction for the next 10 years, holding the 
position of president pro tempore during one of his terms; and
	WHEREAS, Following his departure from the Texas Legislature 
in 1972, he turned his attention to the private sector; he is the 
former president and CEO of Texas Aluminum Corporation and, from 
1970 to 1974, served as special counsel to the Howmet Corporation; 
he is also a founding member and former chairman of Lakeside 
National Bank in Rockwall; and
	WHEREAS, With his extensive expertise in law, public service, 
and business, the Honorable Ralph Hall was elected to the United 
States House of Representatives in 1980; a longtime member of the 
Committee on Energy and Commerce, he played a key role in the 
passage of the Clean Air Act and has, over the years, shown himself 
to be an ardent advocate for our state's oil and gas industries; and
	WHEREAS, Congressman Hall is the ranking minority member of 
the Committee on Science, as well as the former chairman of the 
Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, and he has strongly 
supported the International Space Station and NASA's continuing 
space exploration efforts; veterans of the United States armed 
forces could ask for no greater friend than this former naval 
lieutenant, and his fiscal conservatism is well-known throughout 
Washington, D.C., leading him in 1995 to sign on as one of the 
original sponsors of the Balanced Budget Amendment; and
	WHEREAS, This dedicated leader has an impressive record of 
service in behalf of the people of Texas, and indeed of the entire 
nation, and it is a privilege and an honor to recognize his many 
remarkable achievements; now, therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the 78th Legislature of the State of Texas 
hereby commend the countless contributions of the Honorable Ralph 
M. Hall, U.S. congressman and former state senator, and extend to 
him best wishes for continued success; 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 and Senate.