Ralph Hall

Ralph Moody Hall (May 3, 1923 – March 7, 2019) was an American politician. He was a United States representative from Texas from 1981 through 2015.

Ralph Hall
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
Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Bart Gordon
Succeeded by	Lamar S. Smith
Member of the Texas Senate from the 9th[1] district
In office January 8, 1963 – January 9, 1973
Preceded by	Ray Roberts
Succeeded by	Ron Clower
Personal details
Born	Ralph Moody Hall (1923-05-03)May 3, 1923 Fate, Texas, U.S.
Died	March 7, 2019(2019-03-07) (aged 95) Rockwall, Texas, U.S.
Political party	Republican (2004–2019) Democratic (1950–2004)
Spouse(s)	Mary Ellen Hall (1944-2008, her death)
Children	Hampton Hall Brett Hall Blakeley Hall
Residence	Rockwall, Texas
Alma mater	Southern Methodist University
Occupation	attorney
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy
Years of service	1942–1945
Rank	Lieutenant
Battles/wars	World War II

He was the dean of the Texas congressional delegation. He was also the former chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology from 2011 to 2013.

He is also a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce. Originally a member of the Democratic Party for more than fifty years, in 2004 he switched to the Republican Party.

He was the last of two World War II veterans serving in Congress, the other being Michigan Congressman John Dingell.^[2]

Hall was born on May 3, 1923 in Fate, Texas. He studied at Southern Methodist University. Hall married Mary Ellen in 1944. They had three children. Ellen died in 2008. Hall died at his ranch in Rockwall, Texas, a suburb of Dallas on March 7, 2019 from cardiac arrest, aged 95.^[3]