[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2798]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     HONORING THE LATE WALTER HALL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NICK LAMPSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2000

  Mr. LAMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great sadness to honor 
Walter Hall, who passed away on Sunday afternoon at age 92. Walter 
Hall, known by many as ``Mr. Democrat'' was a man who not only talked 
the talk, but walked the walk. He was a true visionary with a vision of 
a better life for all Americans.
  He spent his life fighting for equality, justice, and opportunity. 
Walter was at the forefront of the civil rights movement, he spoke out 
eloquently about his belief that all men were created equal. He led the 
charge to abolish the poll tax, supported equal rights for women, and 
worked for the Civil Rights Act in 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 
1965.
  He was a community activist who believed in opportunity for all, and 
was always looking to the future of the Southeast Texas-Gulf Coast 
area. He negotiated with the city of Houston to supply clean drinking 
water to Galveston County cities, and helped build the first water and 
sewer facilities in League City, Hitchcock, La Marque, Dickinson, Alta 
Loma, Kemah and Friendswood. He is credited with bringing NASA to the 
Clear Lake area, for the location of the Mainland Medical Center, and 
for the expansion of the seawalls of Texas City and Galveston. 
Throughout his long and successful career as a banker he provided 
opportunity to many through small business loans.
  He was a man of humble beginnings who became a man of great fortune 
and power. He served as a mentor for many young people interested in 
politics, and was a close friend of President Lyndon B. Johnson and 
Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn. ``Mr. Democrat'' was a liberal 
Democrat and proud of it. Walter was a tremendous influence on the 
political community in Texas, and those in the political arena often 
sought his advice. He was actively involved with Lyndon Johnson, Ralph 
Yarborough, Jack Brooks, myself, and numerous other national, state, 
and local public officials.
  Walter was a family man. He married his high school sweetheart Helen, 
had three sons, 8 grandchildren, and 5 great grandchildren. In 1999 he 
donated Helen's Garden to the City of League City, a park in the 
Historical section of town featuring 100 year old Butler Oaks, to honor 
his late wife and to protect the oak trees. His hobbies included 
hunting and fishing, activities he could pursue with his family in tow.
  Mr. Speaker, despite all his clout, Walter Hall remained a man of the 
people, honest and forthright. His was of the utmost character, and his 
attributes of selflessness and commitment to others are rare gifts that 
the Southeast Texas-Gulf Coast area was lucky to have. His work and his 
dedication to the people of this great country is unparalleled. Walter 
will be sorely missed.

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