[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING RALPH LISTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 9, 1997

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to rise 
today in memory of Ralph Moody Liston, a prominent member of the Wills 
Point, TX, community who died recently at the age of 73.
  Ralph Liston was a successful farmer, rancher, and businessman. He 
owned a propane company, exterior design company, and lumber community. 
As a farmer, he was once named Outstanding Conservation Farmer of the 
Year.
  Ralph also was active in his community. He was a longtime member of 
the school board, served as election judge, Chamber of Commerce 
president, chairman of Van Zandt County Building Committee and a member 
of the Farmers Home Administration Board. He was a member of Masonic 
Lodge 422 and was active in the Methodist Church, where he served in 
various capacities through the years.
  I felt a special kinship to Ralph--in that I was always told by my 
mother that we were both named after the same distant relative--Mary 
Katherine Moody. I knew his wonderful mother and dad as Cousin Mary and 
Cousin Jim. It seems that part of our family came to Texas from 
Arkansas. Ralph carried on the great tradition of love of family and 
success in business and faithfulness to his church--a tradition handed 
down through the years. I will miss him.
  Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Helen; sons, Rickey and Ralph 
Moody Jr.; daughters, Linda Wehr and Teena Liston; seven grandchildren 
and one great-grandchild.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my sympathy to his family and 
many friends in Wills Point and Van Zandt County. As we adjourn today, 
I would like to take this opportunity to pay my last respects to this 
great citizen--Ralph Moody Liston.

                          ____________________