A Representative from Texas; born in Fate, Rockwall County, Tex., May 3, 1923; graduated from Rockwall High School, Rockwall, Tex.; attended Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Tex., 1943; attended University of Texas, Austin, Tex., 1946-1947; LL.B., Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Tex., 1951; United States Navy, 1942-1945; lawyer, private practice; business executive; Rockwall County, Tex., judge, 1950-1962; member of the Texas state senate, 1962-1972; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-seventh and to the eleven succeeding Congresses; changed from a Democrat to a Republican on January 5, 2004 (January 3, 1981-January 5, 2004); served as a Republican in the One Hundred Eighth, and reelected to the five succeeding Congresses (January 5, 2004-present); chair, Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (One Hundred Twelfth Congress).