[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1719]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING JUDGE DERRELL HALL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am privileged today to express my 
deep admiration for former Fannin County Judge Derrell Hall, who 
provided outstanding leadership for his community for over 23 years as 
Judge, Commissioner and Probation Officer.
  Judge Hall's experience and excellence as County Commissioner and 
Chief of Juvenile Probation led to his appointment as Fannin County 
Judge in 1997 after a previous Judge's mid-term resignation. Derrell's 
character and strong sense of responsibility were evident to his 
community, and he was continually re-elected to lead his county and 
community.
  Born in Bonham, Texas, on March 4, 1953, Derrell Hall is a lifelong 
resident of Fannin County and currently lives as the fourth generation 
on his family farm that his great-grandfather settled in 1908 in the 
tiny Mulberry community on the Red River. He and his wife, Judy 
Patterson Hall, are members of Mulberry Methodist Church, and are 
parents to five daughters and two sons. Their growing family includes 
four grandsons and three granddaughters.
  Derrell worked for a number of years as a farmer and rancher in his 
home community. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in 
Political Science from East Texas State University in 1983, Derrell 
served as County Commissioner of Precinct One in Fannin County and 
became certified by the state of Texas as a Juvenile Probation Officer. 
From 1993 through 1996, he served as Chief of Juvenile Probation until 
his appointment as Fannin County Judge.
  Throughout his public life, Derrell always sought to foster a better 
community for all of the families in Fannin County. He served as 
Chairman of the Fannin County Juvenile Board and a member of Fannin 
County's Fair Board, Appraisal District, 4-H and Youth Advisory Board, 
and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Fannin County--a 
program that recruits, screens, trains and supervises volunteers to 
advocate for abused and neglected children involved in the court 
system. In addition, he served on the Northeast Texas Council on 
Alcohol and Drug Abuse, as President of both the Texoma Council of 
Governments and the Rural Rail Transportation District, and served 15 
years on the administrative board for Cooke-Fannin-Grayson Juvenile 
Detention Facility and Boot Camp.
  Derrell Hall is a man who understands that for a small community to 
thrive, it needs strong leaders who are willing to serve in many 
diverse capacities. As Derrell pursues new career interests, I join his 
many friends and supporters who look forward to seeing the new 
achievements Derrell is sure to accomplish. Madam Speaker, as we 
adjourn today, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute and 
expressing our gratitude to this outstanding public servant in Fannin 
County--Derrell Hall.

                          ____________________