Ralph Hall
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Ralph Moody Hall (born May 3, 1923) is a United States Representative from the Fourth Congressional District in Texas (map (http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/tx04_109.gif)). First elected in 1980, Hall is a senior member of the Committee on Science and the Energy and Commerce Committee. He is the longest-serving member of Texas's Congressional delegation, as well as the oldest serving member of the House of Representatives (circa March 2005).
A lifelong resident of Rockwall County near Dallas, Hall served in the Navy during World War II. He attended Texas Christian University and the University of Texas, and received a law degree from Southern Methodist University. He was elected county judge (chief executive) of Rockwall County in 1950 and served until 1962, when he was elected to the Texas State Senate and served two terms. He then entered private business until 1980, when he was elected to Congress to succeed Ray Roberts as a Democrat. Hall is only the third person to represent the Fourth District since its creation in 1913, as former longtime Speaker Sam Rayburn had represented the district for 48 years and Roberts had served for 19 years.
Despite his Democratic affiliation, Hall was very conservative, crossing party lines on many votes and even endorsing George W. Bush, whom he had known for many years, for President in 2000. After the Republicans took control of the House in 1995, Hall was frequently rumored to be switching parties. He finally did so in 2004, citing his concerns with Democratic criticism of President Bush and being denied funding for his district because he was a Democrat.
References
- Official homepage (http://www.house.gov/ralphhall/)
- Official campaign web site (http://www.ralphhallcongressman.com/)
- CNN story on party switch (http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/01/02/elec04.h.party.switch/index.html)
- Reuters story on party switch (through Al Jazeerah) (http://aljazeerah.info/News%20archives/2004%20News%20archives/Jan/3n/Veteran%20Texas%20Democrat%20Ralph%20Hall%20Switches%20to%20Republicans.htm)