Mike Conaway: “Thank you, Mr. Smith. I, too, want to add my congratulations and prideful acknowledgement of Ralph Hall's long service.…”

“Thank you, Mr. Smith. I, too, want to add my congratulations and prideful acknowledgement of Ralph Hall's long service. You've heard the long list of his accomplishments and his service. Ralph represents the folks in northeast Texas ably and well, including my alma mater, Texas A&M at Commerce. He is a terrific individual. I'm in constant awe of his quick wit and his storytelling ability. Ralph is never at a loss for some remark or response to whatever is going on. It just makes you want to laugh out loud. That is a rare talent--one that I would love to have, but don't. I am in awe of his quick wit and his wisdom. I'm also in awe of his gentle spirit and kindness that he expresses to every single individual. It is deep-seated and it is heartfelt and it is genuine and real. And those of us that have the honor and the privilege of service with Ralph Hall understand it and bask in it on every single occasion. So I would simply like to add my congratulations and heartfelt admiration to serve with Ralph Hall and to be able to say that when I write about whatever I did in Congress, one of the lines in there will be that I had the honor and privilege of serving with Ralph Hall at a time when he was at his best. Ralph, congratulations. {time} 1950”