Table: election_results_1996
Columns: district
incumbent
party
first_elected
result
candidates

Question: What is the earliest year where the result of the election was a retired republican hold?
SQL: SELECT MIN("first_elected") FROM election_results_1996 WHERE "result" = 'Retired Republican hold'

Question: What party is thomas foglietta from?
SQL: SELECT "party" FROM election_results_1996 WHERE "incumbent" = 'Thomas Foglietta'