[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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