Bill Flores: “I thank Chairman Smith for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my Texas colleagues who has just become…”

“I thank Chairman Smith for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of my Texas colleagues who has just become the oldest known Member of the House of Representatives to cast a recorded vote on the House floor. And I applaud Congressman Ralph Hall for passing this historic milestone. Ralph was first elected to represent the Fourth District of Texas back in 1980 and is preparing to enter his 17th term when the 113th Congress convenes next year. Congressman Hall currently serves as chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. He is the longest-serving Member of the committee and is the first Member to serve as ranking member as both a Republican and as a Democrat. Now, everybody knows what a comedian Ralph is, and I want to share a funny story with you about him. At his birthday party in May of 2011, I was asked to say a few words about him. So I talked for a few minutes about him and about what it was like to serve with him. And I ended by saying that I hoped to wrap up my time in Congress in just three to four terms and that I would never aspire to serve as long as he has, to which Ralph dryly replied, Well, Bill, we're going to miss you. So that's just the way Ralph is. He adds levity to every situation. Mr. Speaker, it's an honor to work alongside Ralph. I look forward to serving with him in the future in addressing the many pressing needs of the American people.”