Joe Barton: “I want to thank the Speaker for granting us this Special Order to honor Congressman Ralph Hall of the Fourth…”

“I want to thank the Speaker for granting us this Special Order to honor Congressman Ralph Hall of the Fourth Congressional District and for granting me this time today. Although Congressman Hall has been sidelined by a recent accident, he is blessed to be on the mend, and he hopes to express his thanks in person sometime next year. Hopefully he is watching on C-SPAN television right now from Rockwall, Texas. I cannot tell him how many Members wish him the speediest of recoveries and wish that he was with us now. Ralph has asked me to put in the Record the following statement from himself: ``I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to those in the Fourth Congressional District who gave me their vote of confidence time and again, who gave me the benefit of their wisdom and good ideas, and who inspired me to do my best to represent their views and their vision in Washington. You will always be dear to my heart.'' With that, I yield to the distinguished Congressman from Collin County, Texas, Congressman Sam Johnson.”