Biography

Home >> Biography

113th Congress United States House of Representatives 

 

Congressman Ralph M. Hall

Congressman Ralph Hall was first elected to serve the 4th District of Texas in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980 and has been re-elected to each succeeding Congress.

He was born in Fate, Texas - Rockwall County - and attended public schools in Rockwall. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving during World War II as a lieutenant (senior grade) aircraft carrier pilot from 1942 to 1945. Following the War, he received his LL.B. from Southern Methodist University in 1951, was admitted to the Texas Bar, and maintained a private law practice in Rockwall. In addition, Congressman Hall was active in business in Rockwall County. He served as President/CEO of Texas Aluminum Corp., General Counsel of Texas Extrusion Co., Chairman of Lakeside News, Inc., and was a founding member of Lakeside National Bank in Rockwall where he currently serves as Chairman of the Board.  

Congressman Hall's public service began at the urging of his wife, Mary Ellen Murphy, to whom he was married from 1944 until her passing in 2008. Between 1950 and 1962, he served as County Judge of Rockwall County, Texas and in 1958-1959 served as President of the State Judges and Commissioners Association. He also was elected and served as a Texas State Senator from 1962 to 1972, serving as President Pro Tempore in 1968-1969.

On November 27, 2012, Congressman Hall became the oldest member in the U.S. House of Representatives to ever cast a vote, surpassing the previous record held by Rep. Charles Stedman (D-NC). The following month, on December 25, 2012, he became the oldest-serving Member of the U.S. House of Representatives in recorded history. 

At the  beginning of the 113th Congress, Congressman Hall was named Chairman Emeritus of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, following his service as Chairman of the Committee in the 112th Congress. His efforts on the Committee include:

• Promoting science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education;
• Ensuring sound science precedes any regulations imposed by the Administration;
• Advancing research and development (R&D) for new technologies to keep America
• competitive;
• Expanding production of America's abundant energy resources and seeking alternative sources to reduce costs and increase national security; and
• Maintaining America's preeminence in space.

This Congress, Congressman Hall also returns to the Energy and Commerce Committee after taking a leave of absence to serve as Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee. He is a member of both the Energy and Power Subcommittee and the Environment and Economy Subcommittee. 

Congressman Hall makes it a priority to stay in touch with constituents and serve them to the best of his ability. He is often quoted, saying "I'd rather be respected at home than liked in Washington."

He has three sons, Hampton, Brett, and Blakeley, and five grandchildren.