Sam B. Hall
Encyclopedia
Sam Blakeley Hall, Jr. American
politician, was a Congressman
representing Texas's 1st congressional district
from 1976 to 1985 and then a federal judge
of the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Texas from 1985 until his death in 1994.
Born and raised in Marshall
, Texas
, Hall attended the College of Marshall
where he met his future wife Mary Madeleine Segal. After graduating from the College of Marshall with an Associate of Arts degree in 1942, he attended the University of Texas
before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps
to serve during World War II
. On returning to Marshall after WWII he married Mary Madeleine Segal and graduated with a bachelor's degree
from Baylor University
in 1946 and an LL.B. from Baylor Law School
in 1948. After being admitted to the bar
he returned to Marshall to practice law, where he was in private practice from 1948 to 1976.
Hall was unsuccessful in an attempt to receive the Democratic Party nomination for the Texas District 1 House of Representatives
seat in 1962, but won a special election for the seat after the death of incumbent Wright Patman
in 1976. He was reelected five times and served on the Judiciary Committee and Veterans' Affairs Committees. On April 17, 1985, Hall was nominated by President Ronald Reagan
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
vacated by Joe J. Fisher. Hall was quickly confirmed by the United States Senate
on May 3, 1985, and subsequently resigned from Congress to be sworn in as judge, receiving his commission on May 10, 1985. He continued to serve until his death in 1994, in Marshall.
The Sam B. Hall Federal Courthouse in Marshall was later renamed in his honor.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician, was a Congressman
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
representing Texas's 1st congressional district
Texas's 1st congressional district
Texas's First congressional district in the United States House of Representatives is a Congressional district that serves the northeastern portion of the state of Texas. As of the 2000 Census, the First District represents 651,619 people...
from 1976 to 1985 and then a federal judge
Federal judge
Federal judges are judges appointed by a federal level of government as opposed to the state / provincial / local level.-Brazil:In Brazil, federal judges of first instance are chosen exclusively by public contest...
of the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Texas from 1985 until his death in 1994.
Born and raised in Marshall
Marshall, Texas
Marshall is a city in Harrison County in the northeastern corner of Texas. Marshall is a major cultural and educational center in East Texas and the tri-state area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Marshall was about 23,523...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, Hall attended the College of Marshall
East Texas Baptist University
East Texas Baptist University is a private, coeducational Christian university in Marshall, Texas, United States associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas.- History :...
where he met his future wife Mary Madeleine Segal. After graduating from the College of Marshall with an Associate of Arts degree in 1942, he attended the University of Texas
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
to serve during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. On returning to Marshall after WWII he married Mary Madeleine Segal and graduated with a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
in 1946 and an LL.B. from Baylor Law School
Baylor Law School
Founded in 1857, Baylor Law School is the oldest law school in Texas and has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 1931 and a member of the Association of American Law Schools since 1938. Baylor Law School is affiliated with Baylor University and located in Waco, Texas...
in 1948. After being admitted to the bar
Bar (law)
Bar in a legal context has three possible meanings: the division of a courtroom between its working and public areas; the process of qualifying to practice law; and the legal profession.-Courtroom division:...
he returned to Marshall to practice law, where he was in private practice from 1948 to 1976.
Hall was unsuccessful in an attempt to receive the Democratic Party nomination for the Texas District 1 House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
seat in 1962, but won a special election for the seat after the death of incumbent Wright Patman
Wright Patman
John William Wright Patman was a U.S. Congressman from Texas in Texas's 1st congressional district and chair of the United States House Committee on Banking and Currency .-Early life:...
in 1976. He was reelected five times and served on the Judiciary Committee and Veterans' Affairs Committees. On April 17, 1985, Hall was nominated by President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas is the Federal district court with jurisdiction over the eastern part of Texas and is a part of the Fifth Circuit. The court's headquarters are in Tyler, Texas and has five subdivision offices in Beaumont, Lufkin, Marshall,...
vacated by Joe J. Fisher. Hall was quickly confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on May 3, 1985, and subsequently resigned from Congress to be sworn in as judge, receiving his commission on May 10, 1985. He continued to serve until his death in 1994, in Marshall.
The Sam B. Hall Federal Courthouse in Marshall was later renamed in his honor.