Ralph Hall
Ralph Moody Hall (May 3, 1923 – March 7, 2019) was an American politician who served as the United States representative for Texas's 4th congressional district from 1981 to 2015. He was first elected in 1980, and was the chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology from 2011 to 2013. He was also a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. In 2004, he switched to the Republican Party after having been a member of the Democratic Party for more than 50 years.
Ralph Hall | |
|---|---|
| Chair of the House Science Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Bart Gordon |
| Succeeded by | Lamar Smith |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 4th district | |
| In office January 3, 1981 – January 3, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Ray Roberts |
| Succeeded by | John Ratcliffe |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 9th district | |
| In office January 8, 1963 – January 9, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Ray Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Ron Clower |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ralph Moody Hall May 3, 1923 Fate, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | March 7, 2019 (aged 95) Rockwall, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (before 2004) Republican (2004–2019) |
| Spouse |
Mary Ellen Murphy
(m. 1944; died 2008) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Texas Christian University University of Texas, Austin Southern Methodist University (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
At 91, he was the oldest serving member of Congress at the end of his last term in office, the oldest person to ever serve in the House of Representatives, the oldest one ever elected to a House term, the oldest House member ever to cast a vote, and also the last member of Congress from the G.I. Generation. Michigan Congressman John Dingell and he were the last two World War II veterans serving in Congress.
On March 6, 2014, Hall was challenged in the Republican primary by five other Republicans. He received 45.42% of the vote, which was under 50%, the amount required to avoid a runoff election. In the runoff, Hall faced former U.S. Attorney John Ratcliffe, who finished second in the primary with 28.77% of the vote. On May 27, 2014, Ratcliffe defeated Hall in the runoff election, 53 to 47%.