[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 67 (Wednesday, May 25, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: May 25, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO SAM B. HALL, JR.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. (Mr. Payne of Virginia). Under the Speaker's
announced policy of February 11, 1994, and May 23, 1994, the gentleman
from Texas [Mr. Brooks] is recognized for 60 minutes as the majority
leader's designee.
Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to join my
colleagues in expressing our sense of deep sadness at the passing of
our beloved friend and former colleague, U.S. District Judge Sam B.
Hall, Jr. Judge Hall served the House of Representatives with both
distinction and dedication from 1976 to 1985. In the House of
Representatives, he was known as a hard worker and an outstanding
leader who brought compassion and understanding to our deliberations.
He earned the respect of all with whom he came in contact.
The people of Marshall and deep east Texas were indeed fortunate to
have Sam Hall represent their interests on public issues with such
energy and dedication, both here in Washington and, since 1985, in the
Eastern District of Texas as a member of the Federal bench.
Sam Hall's father, Sam B. Hall, Sr., was a 20-year veteran of the
State district court system while his uncle, Rubin Hall, retired as
Chief Justice of the State Court of Civil Appeals in Texarkana, TX.
Sam B. Hall, Jr.'s judicial work set a high standard of excellence
for others to follow. My sympathies go out to his family. I will miss
his presence on the Federal bench.
I yield to the gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. Mazzoli], my
distinguished friend.
Mr. MAZZOLI. Mr. Speaker, I say to the gentleman, Thank you, Mr.
Chairman, for, first of all, taking out this special order on behalf of
our late friend, Sam Hall, Jr., and also for recognizing me. You can
learn, as I said the other day when we passed a bill successfully here
in the House naming the Federal Building and Courthouse in Marshall the
Sam B. Hall, Jr., Federal Building and Courthouse--as I said then:
You learn an awful lot about a person by sitting next to
him or her, and it was my fortune on our Judiciary Committee
to sit next to Sam Hall for a number of years, most of that
time from 1976 to 1985, and in momentary lulls and pauses in
the committee deliberations we would talk, and I always was
very impressed by Sam as a human being, as a jurist, as a
legislator, as a husband of Madeleine and a father of the
three daughters, and I really believe that he served the
House extremely well. He served the people of east Texas with
real nobility, and on our trips to Texas, which took place in
the last 3 years, when your daughter and son-in-law were
living in Sugarland, I would often get on the phone and call
Sam, or call Madeleine, over in Marshall just to see how
things were going, and it was this past January when I made a
call, and I learned that Sam's problems had recurred, and
they were extremely difficult for him.
Mr. Speaker, it came in April, word that Sam had passed away, and so
my friend of many years on the gentleman's committee, the man with whom
I rode back on an airplane from Bangkok, Thailand, after having visited
the refugee camps in Thailand some years back, and once again during
that long trip I talked a lot and learned a lot about the man with whom
I spent, and my wife, Helen, and I spent, with Sam and Madeleine in an
evening at that house in Arlington eating quail which Sam had shot on
one of his hunting trips in Texas--that man is gone, Mr. Speaker, as
the gentleman said.
Mr. Speaker, Sam B. Hall, Jr., leaves a big imprint here in the House
and in Texas, and so I thank the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Brooks] for
taking this special order. I want to join him in extending condolences
to Madeleine and to the family and to say that we will miss our friend
very much.
Mr. BROOKS. I yield to the gentleman from California [Mr. Hunter].
Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from Texas
[Mr. Brooks], for yielding to me, and incidentally, before the
gentleman from Kentucky [Mr. Mazzoli] leaves I say to him, you're
leaving this year, Rom, and I want to tell you from this side of the
aisle that we really appreciate you. I didn't have a chance to indulge
in what other Members were saying about you recently on the floor, but
you're first class. Thank you.
To my friend, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Brooks] I say, You know
that even though I represent San Diego that I am half Texan by birth
and family, and you know Sam B. Hall, Jr., was a special, special guy,
and we all have images of the people who represent their districts in
this House of Representatives, and we form friendships, and we form
memories, and Sam Hall was a strong memory former because he was a
strong friendship former. He was a guy whose word was his bond.
Mr. Speaker, he had a great sense of humor, and I say to my
colleagues, you have got to have a little sense of humor in this place,
and Sam had that in spades, and I guess he represented to me the heart
of Texas. And that was a guy who was strong on defense, like the
gentleman who is speaking, strong on individual rights, and believed in
heavy doses of freedom, and just he is the kind of guy that makes this
country go whether he is working as a county judge, or a hardware store
dealer, or U.S. Congressman, and I respected greatly Sam Hall, and I
respect and honor his memory.
I think to a man and to a woman Members on this side of the aisle
share our colleagues' respect and feelings for Sam Hall.
Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Speaker, I say to the gentleman, Thank you very much.
I yield to the gentleman from California [Mr. Dornan].
Mr. DORNAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague for
yielding.
I say, I could not have been more shocked when I was standing down
there with Congressman Hunter and we heard about this tragic passing of
Sam. It must be months ago, but it seems like only weeks ago, that he
was laying in ambush in the center aisle here for friends from both
sides of the aisle, and he grabbed me as I was walking out and said,
``Young fella,'' which was pretty nice when you're 60 years of age. He
said:
I want you to know that sometimes after a hard day on the
Federal bench I'll watch the House during special orders to
see all of my friends on both sides of the aisle. I'm keeping
track of all you guys.
Mr. Speaker, I was doing something about World War II, just as I was
doing tonight, and he told me how much he appreciated it. If ever there
was somebody that was truly beloved on both sides of the aisle, it was
this special American.
{time} 2240
I do not know what it is about you Texans, you just keep producing
these heroes that remind me of everybody I read about at the Alamo. He
is certainly a proud American and son of Texas that our country is much
the less for his passing.
What a guy, Sam Hall.
Mr. BROOKS. Mr. Dornan, we appreciate your contribution.
The gentleman knows, of course, that very seldom am I seen on special
orders. I cannot remember the last one. I hope there are not many more
of this type.
I yield to the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Greg Laughlin], such time as
he may require.
Mr. LAUGHLIN. I want to thank the dean of my delegation for taking
out this special order and must confess that during the service of Sam
Hall, Jr. As a U.S. Congressman representing the First District of
Texas, I did not have the privilege or honor of knowing Sam in that
capacity. It was after he went to the Federal bench that I was elected
to Congress and it was in the capacity of my service in the House and
his service on the Federal bench that I came to know Judge Hall.
On those occasions it occurred that when he would be there visiting,
he would talk about how he missed his colleagues in the House, he
missed service in the House. But my respect for him grew immensely
while on several occasions, a man of his position and many think of
Federal judges as not too caring and too preoccupied with the
importance of their office to care about little people, but on more
than one occasion Judge Hall called me seeking my assistance of young
teenage boys and girls in my district who needed a good word, who
needed assistance from me because they lived in my district.
That told me something that I think typifies a lot of the great
people from our State, Dean, and, that is, they have time for the
teenagers, the kids that need a little help from someone, that some
people think may be too important or hold too high an office to help a
youngster that is going the wrong way. Sam Hall had that capacity and
it made me proud when I sat on the Committee on Public Works and
Transportation that it was our committee that reported out the bill to
name the Federal courthouse in the Eastern District of Texas for Judge
Sam Hall, Jr.
I am proud that since the committee on which I sat passed that bill
out of the committee, the House has now passed it.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the dean of my delegation, the honorable
chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary.
Mr. BROOKS. I might say that I am sure his family will deeply
appreciate that building in memory of Sam Hall for generations.
Mr. HUTTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our late
colleague, the Hon. Sam Hall of Texas. This gentleman is remembered by
all as a person of the highest integrity.
It was a pleasure for me to serve here in the House with Sam Hall for
several years before he became a district Federal judge back in Texas.
Sam was a gentle, easy going individual who possessed a keen intellect
and worked hard for our Nation and his constituents in his
congressional district.
I got to know Sam better when he and I were among several members of
Congress from the Armed Services and Veterans Committees who visited
Beirut, Lebanon shortly after the tragic bombing that killed some 250
of our Marines. Like the rest of us, Sam wanted to know more about this
incident and wanted to make sure the injured and the families of those
who perished were receiving necessary care and were fully informed.
One of Sam Hall's best friends is a friend of mine, Pat Groner, in
Pensacola, FL. Pat and Sam grew up together in Marshall, TX. They
attended the same schools and maintained that strong bond of friendship
until Sam passed away on April 10, 1994. Pat says in their youth that
he and Sam were fellow members of an organization in which good
scholarship and no smoking nor drinking was permitted, an indication of
the strong Christian character of both men.
Pat Groner was named for Pat M. Neff and the fathers of both Pat and
Sam Hall played a role in helping Pat Neff to become Governor of Texas.
Governor Neff later served as President of Baylor University while Sam
and Pat were students there.
Sam Hall was very active in civic work and was known and loved by
hundreds of people who appreciated his dedication to service. He served
with distinction here in Congress and on the bench. Sam's life here on
Earth was a positive force for good and his wife, Madeleine, and the
Hall family can take comfort in that memory.
Mr. SPENCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to our late
colleague, Sam Hall of Texas. It is with a great degree of sadness that
I recognize his passing.
Sam hall was a true gentleman and a statesman. It was an honor for me
to serve with him in the Congress from 1976 until 1985, when he
resigned to accept an appointment as a U.S. judge for the Eastern
District of Texas. Also, my former Administrative Assistant, Kenneth
Black, was Sam Hall's Administrative Assistant prior to joining my
staff.
It is certainly appropriate that Sam Hall completed his career as a
jurist on the Federal bench, as he truly loved the law. While a Member
of Congress, he devoted much of his attention to the work of the
Committee on the Judiciary, and, as a lawyer's lawyer, he relished the
action of the courtroom.
Sam Hall was a dedicated lawmaker, a very capable judge, and a friend
to many. He will be greatly missed.
Mr. SYNAR. I rise today to pay tribute to a close, personal
friend and colleague, Judge Sam B. Hall, Jr. who died of
cancer on April 10. After being elected in a special election
in 1976, Mr. Hall served with distinction on the Judiciary
Committee as chairman of the Administrative Law and
Governmental Affairs Subcommittee. He also ably served on the
Veterans Affairs' Committee and the Select Committee on
Narcotics Abuse Control. During his tenure in Congress, I had
the good fortune to serve with him on the Judiciary Committee
where he provided me with much needed guidance, wisdom and
advice.
As a young, freshman Congressman, I found Judge Hall to be
an excellent role model who showed me how a successful
Congressman can serve the Nation and community with unending
strength and compassion. Of his many accomplishments during
his time in Congress, Judge Hall is perhaps best remembered
for his key role in bringing about the return of many MIA's
and POW's from Southeast Asia. There is little question that
Judge Hall was a dedicated public servant who earned the
administration of his constituents and his colleagues.
When he resigned in 1985 to become the U.S. district judge
of the Eastern District of Texas, he served with the same
dedication and thoughtfulness he brought to Congress and
never failed to serve his community and family with honor.
Mr. Hall was a devoted and caring man who balanced a
wholesome family life and active community service with a
challenging career. Many remember the long hours he spent
working in the community, and all remember that he always
found time to work diligently on his farm with his wife,
Madeleine, and his three daughters.
This country, and I personally, benefited greatly from the
life of Judge Sam Hall and it is with great sadness that we
mourn his passing.
Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, today we pay tribute to one of our
distinguished former colleagues who recently died, Sam Hall. As I
started to think about what I wanted to say about Sam Hall one word
kept coming to mind. That word is extraordinary and that is exactly
what Sam Hall was.
When he was first elected to the 94th Congress by special election,
back in 1976, the shoes he was filling were not at all that easy to
step into. He was filling the seat vacated by the death of the
Honorable Wright Patman who, those of us serving at that time will
recall, was quite a presence in this body. Sam Hall without hesitation
dove right into the job with vigor and an energy charged presence.
While having no legislative experience prior to coming to Congress,
once here Sam Hall displayed a skillful understanding and love for the
legislative process. He thrived in his work as a member of the House
Judiciary Committee, and specifically as chairman of the Administrative
Law Subcommittee. His focus on judicial concerns, however was not
exclusive. He was interested in veterans issues as well. In fact,
having been appointed to a congressional delegation that traveled to
Southeast Asia to investigate American POW-MIA's he was successful in
negotiating the return of the remains of a number of servicemen, an
accomplishment of which he was quite deservedly proud.
The years he was in Congress were very productive for Sam Hall and
for the 1st District of Texas which he so ably represented. Had he
chosen to remain here I know his accomplishments would only have
continued to flourish, but in 1985 Sam Hall resigned his seat to become
the U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Texas. This
appointment was truly fitting and definitely capped a brilliant career.
Sam Hall was a great man, a great Texan, and a great member of
Congress. All of us who were fortunate enough to have associated with
him or to have served with him in this body know that with his death we
have lost someone very special. To his wife and family I extend my
deepest and most heartfelt condolences.
Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a
distinguished native son from the Lone Star State--a distinguished
American and a dear and respected friend--the Honorable Sam Blakeley
Hall, Jr., who died Sunday, April 10, 1994, at his home in Marshall,
TX, following a long and heroic struggle against cancer. He was 70
years young.
Sam was a true Texan in the best sense of the word. He was tall in
stature and long on principle, independent in thought and yet
responsive to those he served. He was not afraid to fight for those
principles he held dear, but his fights were always ethical and honest,
fair-minded and good-natured. As a lawyer, a Member of Congress, and a
Federal judge for the Eastern District of Texas, Sam was a man of honor
and integrity. As a friend, he was respected and loved by hundreds who
had the privilege of knowing him well. He was a close personal friend,
and I will miss him greatly.
My heart-felt sympathy goes to his lovely wife, Madeleine, and to his
family, to whom he remained devoted throughout his distinguished
career. His memory and many of his virtues will continue to live on
through them.
A native of Marshall, TX, Sam was elected as a Democrat to the 94th
Congress by special election on June 19, 1976, to fill the vacancy
caused by the death of Wright Patman. He was reelected to the five
succeeding Congresses, serving until May 27, 1985, when he resigned to
accept an appointment as U.S. Judge for the Eastern District of Texas.
As a Member of Congress, Sam was respected by his peers for his
honesty, integrity, and dedication to public service. He was chairman
of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Administrative Law, and his work in
this capacity earned him the respect of Members from both parties. His
ability to analyze complex issues served him well in matters of law.
Upon his departure from Congress in 1985, he was recognized by numerous
fellow Members in tributes to his uncommon character and nine years of
distinguished service to the First District of Texas and to his
country.
Sam continued this career of distinction as a federal judge, bringing
a sense of fairness and balance to his courtroom in the Eastern
District of Texas. He was a thoughtful and dedicated jurist whose
rulings were issued only after careful deliberation, and he was
respected by lawyers on both sides of the docket. Sam's devotion to the
law was a legacy from his father, who was a prominent Texas district
judge of 20 years and with whom Sam enjoyed a close association.
Sam Hall, Jr., was born in Marshall, Harrison County, TX, on January
11, 1924. He graduated from Marshall public schools in 1940, received
an A.A. degree from College of Marshall (now East Texas Baptist
University), in 1942 and attended the University of Texas Law School
from 1942 to 1943. He left school to serve in the U.S. Air Force from
1943 to 1945, then graduated from Baylor University in 1946 and Baylor
University Law School in 1948.
Sam was admitted to the Texas bar in 1948 and practiced law for
almost 20 years in his hometown of Marshall. In 1962 he ran
unsuccessfully for the House of Representatives, but fulfilled his
dream of serving in Congress by winning the special election in 1976
for Wright Patman's seat.
Mr. Speaker, few have served their country as well as the Honorable
Sam B. Hall, and few have been as respected and admired. He will be
remembered by those who knew him both professionally and personally,
and I can think of no better way to honor him than to name the Federal
Building and United States Courthouse in Marshall, TX, as the ``Sam B.
Hall, Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse.''
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