Lamar Smith: “Today we honor the distinguished service of our friend and colleague, Ralph Hall of Texas. If there were a congressional…”

“Today we honor the distinguished service of our friend and colleague, Ralph Hall of Texas. If there were a congressional ``Hall of Fame,'' Representative Hall would be a first ballot inductee. His many years of service were highlighted at the end of 2012 when he became the most senior member of Congress to ever cast a vote in the House of Representatives. Ralph's career in the House of Representatives and his commitment to his constituents in the 4th District of Texas spans 34 years. But his contributions to our country began before that. Since he was 19 years old, Ralph has led a life of service. As a lieutenant in the Navy during World War Two, he served as a pilot, and since then has never hesitated to accomplish a mission. That mentality has made him a distinguished member of Congress, and a very effective Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. Throughout his tenure, Ralph has been a consistent advocate for scientific research and development. As Science Committee Chairman he worked to ensure that business owners are not burdened by excessive EPA regulations. Ralph has fostered programs to better understand extreme weather and to ensure that citizens are prepared for natural disasters. He has worked to advance science education and programs that promote technological breakthroughs to benefit future generations. And throughout his time in Congress, Ralph Hall has served this institution with style and humor.…”