Rep. Hall has full plate with prime ribbing at benefit roast
11:11 PM CST on Saturday, January 24, 2004
ROCKWALL – U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall may have bolted the Democrat Party this month, but the affection his Republican constituents have for him is here to stay.
They showed that love again Saturday night when dozens ignored rain and fog to attend a benefit roast of Mr. Hall, 80, at Chandler's Landing Yacht Club.
"There is no more beloved man in Rockwall County than Ralph Hall," said former Rockwall Mayor Alma Williams-Howard, the evening's hostess. "If you ever meet him, you'll have a friend for life."
Friend and roaster, Dewayne Cain, echoed that sentiment.
"I don't know of anyone who is more important to Rockwall than Ralph Hall," said Mr. Cain, who was a congressional page in school, thanks to Mr. Hall. "He stands tall for the Republican Party now, he stands tall for President Bush, and he'll stand tall for Texas."
Some Democrats might say that Mr. Hall has been standing up for those three entities for a long time, although he only officially switched to the Republican Party on Jan. 2, largely because legislative redistricting could have made re-election to his 4th District more challenging. For years, he has voted with the Republicans on major issues.
"We're just glad he switched to the Republican Party," said Rockwall Mayor Ken Jones, president and CEO of radio stations KHYI-FM (95.3) and KXEZ-FM (92.1). "He's a great friend and a great statesman."
Mr. Hall, who was just recovering from what he called the "Democratic flu," has represented the area for 23 years. Although his wife of 59 years, Mary Ellen, said she didn't want him to seek re-election, he said he decided to do it for the good of the country.
"We've got a good president, our nation is in trouble, and he needs help," said Mr. Hall, the oldest member of the U.S. House. "I'm very close to the president, and I want to help him."
Proceeds from Saturday's $75-a-ticket function will go toward starting a Pops symphony in Rockwall. Ruth Peck, founder of the annual Rockwall Musicfest and roast organizer said all of Rockwall owes Mr. Hall because "whether you're wealthy or poor, he doesn't overlook anybody."
But the night wasn't all serious business. Mr. Hall's roasting actually began before the formal program when longtime friend Raymond Cameron noted that Mr. Hall played football for five years at Rockwall High School but never managed to letter.
"He just wanted the sweater so that he could keep warm while he sat on the bench," Mr. Cameron said.
E-mail scrawford@dallasnews.com
Online at: http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/news/localnews/stories/012504dnmetralphhall.40485.html