[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 150 (Wednesday, November 28, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1819]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TALL TEXAN AMERICAN HERO

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 27, 2012

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend from Texas for yielding 
to me.
  It has been a pleasure to work with Chairman Hall ever since I joined 
the Science Committee in 2005. First and foremost, I want to thank him 
for the work he has done as Chairman of the Science, Space, and 
Technology Committee and as a champion of NASA. When the Republicans 
captured control of the House in 2010, there was no one more deserving 
of being elevated to chairman than Ralph Hall, especially given the 
fact that he is probably the only member of Congress to ever serve as 
Ranking Member of a committee from both sides of the aisle before 
becoming chair.
  The Science Committee has historically been a place where the day-to-
day grudge match of partisan politics takes a backseat to thoughtful 
policy making. Chairman Hall is a great exemplar of that tradition, in 
the same vein as past chairmen such as Bart Gordon and Sherwood 
Boehlert. Ralph knows how to make things work and get things done, and 
he always has a way of doing it with a smile. That style is a throwback 
to the days when Congress was a more genial place and members worked 
together across the aisle with others even when they had disagreements. 
We could use more people in Congress like Chairman Hall, and I look 
forward to continuing to work with him to get things done for our 
constituents and for our nation.

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