| |
|
|
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 947
|
|
|
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas is pleased to |
|
|
recognize the Honorable Ralph M. Hall for his outstanding service |
|
|
to his community and to this state and nation; and |
| |
|
|
WHEREAS, Ralph Hall was born in Fate, Texas, a small town |
|
|
in Rockwall County; in 1942, he joined the United States Navy, |
|
|
and he served with distinction as an aircraft carrier pilot |
|
|
during World War II; after the war, he earned a degree in law from |
|
|
Southern Methodist University; and |
| |
|
|
WHEREAS, He maintained a successful law practice in Rockwall |
|
|
for many years and was a highly successful business leader in the |
|
|
community; he was a founder of Lakeside National Bank, and he |
|
|
continues to serve as chair of the institution today; and |
| |
|
|
WHEREAS, Mr. Hall's career in public service began at the |
|
|
urging of his wife, Mary Ellen Murphy, and in 1950, he became the |
|
|
Rockwall County Judge and was the youngest county judge in the |
|
|
state; he went on to serve as a Texas State Senator for nine |
|
|
years; and |
| |
|
|
WHEREAS, In 1980, Mr. Hall was elected to the United States |
|
|
House of Representatives; throughout his 34 years in Congress, he |
|
|
served as a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and |
|
|
Technology; during his tenure, he promoted science, technology, |
|
|
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in education and worked to |
|
|
ensure America's place as a leader in research, development, and |
|
|
space exploration; he was named chairman of the committee in |
|
|
2011; and |
| |
|
|
WHEREAS, In November of 2012, Congressman Hall became the |
|
|
oldest member in the House of Representatives to ever cast a |
|
|
vote, and the following month, he became the oldest member in |
|
|
recorded history to have served in the House; he remained |
|
|
dedicated to his constituents throughout his years of service and |
|
|
earned a reputation for excellence among his colleagues on |
|
|
Capitol Hill; and |
| |
|
|
WHEREAS, A loving family man, Ralph Hall shared 64 years of |
|
|
marriage with the late Mary Ellen Murphy, who was a source of |
|
|
strength and support throughout their years together; they were |
|
|
blessed with three sons, Hampton, Brett, and Blakeley, and five |
|
|
grandchildren, who are a source of immense pride and joy; and |
| |
|
|
WHEREAS, Representative Hall concluded his tenure in the |
|
|
House of Representatives in January of 2015; he was held in the |
|
|
highest respect by his constituents throughout his distinguished |
|
|
career, and his impressive legacy of service in the nation's |
|
|
Capitol will remain a source of inspiration for future generations |
|
|
of leaders; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th |
|
|
Legislature, hereby commend the Honorable Ralph M. Hall for his |
|
|
exemplary life of service and his invaluable contributions to the |
|
|
state and the nation and extend to him best wishes for the future; |
|
|
and, be it further |
| |
|
|
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for |
|
|
him as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. |
| |
|
|
Hall |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
President of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I hereby certify that the |
|
|
|
above Resolution was adopted by |
|
|
|
the Senate on May 21, 2015. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
Secretary of the Senate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
________________________________ |
|
|
|
Member, Texas Senate |