Today, the Frontiers of Flight Museum announced that Congressman Ralph Hall, who serves the 4th District of Texas, will be the next recipient of the George E. Haddaway Award for Achievement in Aviation. Hall will receive the honor at the upcoming Frontiers of Flight Museum’s Annual Gala set for April 26, 2013.
The George E. Haddaway Award is presented by the Frontiers of Flight Museum each year to individuals, or groups of individuals, who have distinguished themselves by their accomplishments in the realm of flight. The award is not restricted to pilots and aircrew members, but also recognizes excellence in other disciplines in an aerospace context such as corporate leadership, engineering, education, and literature. Previous awardees include The Honorable John Glenn, General Chuck Yeager, Herb Kelleher, Colleen Barrett, the Women Air Force Service Pilots of WWII, General James H. Doolittle, The Civil Air Patrol, The Honorable Barry Goldwater and U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (TX-03).
Hall has been a longtime proponent and dedicated advocate of science, space and aviation. In 2011, Congressman Hall was named Chairman of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. He has led this Committee in efforts to promote science, technology, engineering, and math
(STEM) education.
Hall has also been credited for helping to advance research and development for new technologies to keep America competitive. Hall has worked to utilize abundant domestic energy resources and helped explore alternative energy sources that would lower costs and increase national security. He has also played an integral role in ensuring America's preeminence in human space exploration.
“We are delighted to honor Congressman Hall at our signature event this spring,” said Cheryl Sutterfield-Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Frontiers of Flight Museum. “Congressman Hall will deservingly join a distinguished group of honorees who have previously received the Haddaway Award and helped champion space exploration
and advanced aviation achievements to benefit all generations,” she said.
Hall was born in Fate, Texas in Rockwall County and attended public schools in Rockwall. In 1942, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving as a lieutenant (senior grade) aircraft carrier pilot from 1942 to 1945. After receiving his LL.B. from Southern Methodist University in 1951, he was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1951 and maintained a private law practice in Rockwall for many years.
Congressman Hall's public service began at the urging of his wife, Mary Ellen Murphy, who he married in 1944. Between 1950 and 1962, Ralph served as County Judge of Rockwall County, Texas. In 1958-1959, he served as President of the State Judges and Commissioners Association. He served in the Texas Senate from 1962 to 1972, and was President Pro Tempore in 1968-1969.
In addition Congressman Hall had an active business career in Rockwall County: he served as President/CEO of Texas Aluminum Corp., General Counsel of Texas Extrusion Co., was a founding member of Lakeside National Bank in Rockwall, and Chairman of Lakeside News, Inc.
ABOUT GEORGE E. HADDAWAY
George E. Haddaway was a prominent fixture in the north Texas aviation scene for decades as a pilot and aviation journalist. For forty years, beginning in 1934, he was publisher of the area’s most successful aviation magazine, Southwest Aviation, which underwent several name changes to reflect his observations as the area’s aviation industry matured. His years of publishing brought Mr. Haddaway into contact with aeronautical legends such as “Jimmy” Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, Wiley Post and others, and he accumulated a wealth of aviation-related memorabilia and archives. With this vast treasure trove of books, photographs, and papers, he was the driving force behind the formation of the History of Aviation Collection, now housed at the McDermott Library of the University of Texas at Dallas. The many significant three-dimensional artifacts he acquired formed the basis for the founding of the Frontiers of Flight Museum to house and display these priceless aeronautical heirlooms.
ABOUT THE FRONTIERS OF FLIGHT MUSEUM
The Frontiers of Flight Museum, a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate, is a gem in our community that attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually including 30,000 students. The Museum is a learning laboratory using aviation and space flight to encourage and promote student excellence in science, technology, engineering and math.
For information call: (214) 350-1651 or visit www.flightmuseum.com.