[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H4121-H4125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF SAM GIBBONS

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, we are here today to honor 
Congressman Sam Gibbons on the occasion of his retirement at the end of 
this year. Even before Sam was elected to Congress in 1962, he already 
had a long and distinguished career. Serving 17 terms in Congress was a 
fine way for Sam to finish off his remarkable career in public life. 
Although, I am sure he is not going to disappear. I hear that Sam is 
gearing up to teach, among other things--not surprising for a man who 
has spent his whole life serving his country in one way or another.
  Sam is most treasured as a hero of World War II. He earned the Bronze 
Star after parachuting into Normandy on the night before D-day.
  Sam served for 10 years in the Florida House of Representatives. One 
of his proudest accomplishments was passing legislation that created 
the University of South Florida. Today, Sam is proud to be recognized 
as the ``Father of the University of South Florida.''
  In the Florida Senate, where he served for 4 years, Sam Gibbons 
helped establish Florida's regional water management districts. These 
districts are important because they have enabled us to repair, 
maintain, and preserve our precious water resources, not just for our 
current enjoyment, but for Florida's future as well.
  So, when Sam Gibbons marched into Congress in 1962, he was quite 
accomplished in many areas of policy. And he went on to tackle Congress 
in grand style. As a junior Member of Congress in 1965, Sam Gibbons was 
chosen by President Johnson to shepherd important legislation such as 
Job Corps and Head Start through Congress. Sam secured a seat on the 
coveted Ways and Means Committee and became chairman of its Trade 
Subcommittee in 1981. One of Sam's finest hours was shepherding NAFTA 
and GATT through Ways and Means to final passage.
  In early 1994, when he became the acting chairman of the Ways and 
Means Committee, Sam Gibbons was instrumental in passing a health care 
reform bill through his committee. Later that year, Sam worked 
tirelessly to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and welfare from the chopping 
block.
  Sam is also a family man. Sam and his darling wife Martha celebrate 
their 50th wedding anniversary this year. His three sons Clifford, Tim, 
and Mark, his three daughters-in-law, and his five grandchildren will 
benefit from our loss when Sam returns home to Florida at the end of 
this year.
  Sam  has been our leader, Sam  has been our mentor, Sam  has been our 
friend. Sam, thank you for all that you have done for Florida, and for 
our Nation.
  In the Bible, there is a passage ``For I am now ready to be offered, 
and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I 
have finished my course. I have kept the faith.'' Sam Gibbons has been 
fighting the good fight, and he has kept the faith. We are so proud of 
you, Sam. You have been our leader and you have been our friend.
  I have a token that I want to give Sam and his wife. Sam, would you 
come down, please?
  A tiny token of our appreciation to you and from me personally as 
being my mentor when I arrived here.
  Mr. GIBBONS. Thank you so much.
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. God bless you, Sam, and God bless America.
  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor today that I rise 
today to pay tribute to our colleague, Sam Gibbons of Florida. For 33 
years, Sam has stood proudly as a Member of the House of 
Representatives representing the 11th district of Florida and he will 
be missed by all for his integrity and dedication to the people of 
Tampa and to this institution, the U.S. House of Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, although every American has a different definition of an 
hero, I think that most Members of the House would agree with me that 
Sam Gibbons has qualities that would qualify him as a great American 
hero to each and every American.
  To some, a hero is defined as a military man who distinguishes 
himself in battle. As a young captain in 1944, Sam was with 12,000 
members of the 101st Airborne who parachuted into German-occupied 
France, providing key support for the invasion at Normandy on D-day 
which earned him the Bronze Star.
  To some, a hero is someone who has established himself as a leader of 
men. And if his military service is not enough to prove this, his 
career in the House of Representatives

[[Page H4122]]

and Florida Legislature has. As a young member of the then Education 
and Labor Committee, Sam Gibbons was chosen to floor manage the Great 
Society legislation, including the Head Start Program, for President 
Johnson. Almost 30 years later, as chairman of the House Ways and Means 
Committee, he was able to muster enough support for a health bill that 
no one thought was ever possible.
  To others, being a hero means standing up for what you believe in, no 
matter what the odds are against you. In my years of Congress, I have 
not witnessed Sam compromise his views or do something in which he did 
not believe. His powerful voice resonating in support of the elderly, 
the children, and veterans will always be heard in the hallways of the 
U.S. Capitol.
  And to others, being a hero, means being a good husband and father. 
For almost 50 years, Sam has been married to Martha Hanley and they 
have three sons who have married and have blessed Sam and Martha with 
five grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I close by wishing the best for a great American hero, 
Sam Gibbons, as he and his family embark on new endeavors together. Sam 
has been a great friend to me during my tenure in the House of 
Representatives and I will miss him greatly.
  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Sam Gibbons 
who is retiring from Congress at the end of this year. Sam Gibbons has 
served the people of Florida for over 50 years, including 34 in the 
U.S. House of Representatives representing the 11th Congressional 
District of Florida.
  A patriot and dedicated public servant, Mr. Gibbons was an officer in 
the U.S. Army force that liberated France and brought about the end of 
World War II. He parachuted behind enemy lines during Operation 
Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy on D-day. For his bravery in 
the service he was honored with the Bronze Star. The young Sam Gibbons 
found in military service not only a pride in serving his country, but 
a philosophy to end war through economic pragmatism. Energized against 
war from his combat experience, he came to believe that countries which 
trade together would not fight each other. It was this interest in the 
benefits of an open, global economy that subsequently guided Sam 
Gibbons as a champion of free and fair trade during his congressional 
career.
  Sam Gibbons has constantly worked to meet the needs of his 
constituents and improve the lives of Americans during his legislative 
career. While serving in the Florida legislature, he championed 
historic legislation that created the University of South Florida and 
enacted legislation to establish Florida's regional water management 
districts. Sam Gibbons was an early advocate of urban-renewal and 
drafted Florida's first successful urban-renewal initiative.
  In the U.S. Congress, he crafted legislation to allow Americans over 
the age of 55 to protect from taxation capital gains earned from the 
sale of their primary homes. Sam Gibbons was personally selected by 
President Johnson as House floor manager of the Great Society 
legislation, and he successfully navigated the anti-poverty 
initiatives--which included Head Start--through Congress.
  In 1994, Sam Gibbons became chairman of the House Ways and Means 
Committee and worked diligently to enact President Clinton's health 
care reform plan. In the course of this struggle, Sam demonstrated his 
ability to run the committee in a collegial and competent manner. 
During the 104th Congress, as the ranking Democrat on the House Ways 
and Means Committee, Sam Gibbons was an influential leader of the House 
Democrats in defending Medicare and other important programs.
  I urge my colleagues to join with me in honoring Sam Gibbons as a 
true public servant. This institution will be diminished by his 
departure. However, we are enriched by the legacy he will leave. His 
career is truly a model of public service to be emulated by Members of 
Congress for years to come. We wish him the best in his future 
endeavors.
  Mrs. KENNELLY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join with my colleagues 
tonight to pay tribute to a great Congressman and a good friend, Sam 
Gibbons. Many of us have heard Sam tell about the night he parachuted 
into Normandy with the 101st Airborne. That story typifies Sam and the 
quality has colleagues have come to value most in him: his courage. In 
the hedgerows of Normandy or on the House floor, Sam is willing to 
stand and fight for what he believes.
  Throughout his career, on issue after issue, Sam has shown tremendous 
fortitude. He has never backed down from the principles and values he 
believes in.
  As a World War II veteran and a student of its history, Sam came to 
understand the critical role of international trade in promoting not 
only economic well-being but long-lasting peace. He has worked for that 
vision of peace and plenty throughout his career. As chairman of the 
Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, he has worked tirelessly--and 
successfully--to bring about a fair, open, and free world trade regime. 
From the Caribbean Basin Initiative to GATT, from customs modernization 
to a whole range of bilateral agreements, Sam has been in the forefront 
of every issue. In my own State of Connecticut, where the healthiest 
part of our economy is the segment that is involved in international 
trade, there are any number of people and companies whose economic 
well-being is directly tied to Sam's efforts. And that same story is 
being repeated around the country.
  But I would like to conclude by offering Sam a word of thanks from 
another group--the Democrats who served with him on Ways and Means. He 
took over as chairman under difficult circumstances, and became ranking 
member under circumstances even more difficult. But he led us when we 
were in the majority, and he kept us on track when we were in the 
minority. His dedication to our party's principles, his commitment to 
fair treatment for all Americans, and his confidence about America's 
economic future have inspired us. On behalf of my colleagues in the 
committee, I would like to thank Sam Gibbons for all he has done--for 
us, for this institution, and for his country.
  Mrs. COLLINS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep respect and 
admiration that I rise today to pay the highest tribute to my long-time 
colleague and friend, Representative Sam Gibbons of the 11th 
Congressional District of Florida. On this day to celebrate one of 
America's true military and political heroes, it is only proper that we 
take time to reflect upon Representative Gibbons' dedicated service to 
his district, his State, and his country.
  Looking over his record, of 17 terms, you have to be impressed with 
not only his successes but also with his battles. A listing of 
Representative Gibbons experience and accomplishments is long and 
impressive, but I will not try to list them all, we'd be here too long.
  It is well known that he parachuted into German-occupied Normandy in 
World War II on the night before D-day. He won the Bronze Star for his 
service in that major military campaign. Representative Gibbons has 
long credited his experiences as a captain in the 501st Parachute 
Infantry/101st Airborne Division with shaping his fundamental beliefs 
that have guided him in his public service first in the Florida State 
Legislature and then in the United States Congress.
  Representative Gibbons' service in Congress has not been quite as 
hazardous as parachuting into Normandy, even though he would probably 
agree that there have been several equally long nights preparing for 
and fighting battles here in the House of Representatives.
  Those of us who have served with him in the House of Representatives, 
and those of us who have had the honor of working with him to craft 
legislation and compromise, we know Sam Gibbons as a man of understated 
wisdom, dedication, integrity, professionalism, and humility.
  Since in the mid-1960's when President Lyndon Johnson tapped 
Representative Gibbons to be the floor manager for the President's 
Great Society program, Representative Gibbons, a son of the South, 
could talk about the needs of the vulnerable in our society for early 
education and early child development programs like Head Start. He has 
demonstrated that a Member with deep convictions, and from the deep 
South, could be for voting rights and still be re-elected, over and 
over again.
  Representative Gibbons has a reputation as being a defender of free 
trade, believing strongly that countries and communities that trade 
with each other don't fight each other. Some have even called him one 
of the founders of GATT, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 
and it cannot be disputed that Representative Gibbons provided zealous 
leadership in the negotiations for the development of the GATT.
  I had the pleasure of working closely with Representative Gibbons 
when he chaired the Ways and Means Committee, and we worked together to 
craft the Democratic health care reform legislation in the 103d 
Congress. Representative Gibbons continues to lead the way toward 
responsible social and fiscal policy as ranking minority member of the 
House Ways and Means Committee in this 104th Congress.
  Representative Gibbons represents a district in Florida that some 
believe is bounded by Disney World and the Gulf of Mexico. That is only 
partly true. Hailing from southern Hillsborough County, FL, 
Representative Gibbons' district is as diverse as America itself.
  Representative Gibbons has a well deserved reputation for creating 
dialog among parties as diverse as students, shipbuilder, cigar 
industry workers, and the phosphate mining companies. Large retirement 
communities call on Representative Gibbons to be ever vigilant in his 
shepherding of the Medicare and other social programs.
  Mr. Speaker, Representative Sam Gibbons is truly a representative of 
his constituents,

[[Page H4123]]

often leading where needed. I have been and am proud to serve with him 
and am pleased to offer my voice to honor him on this day.
  Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, today, we are coming to the floor to honor 
one of the true giants of the House of Representatives, Sam Gibbons of 
Florida.
  Mr. Speaker, our society often laments the shortage of heroes and 
positive role models for young people in America.
  You don't need to look further than Sam Gibbons to find both.
  For more than 44 years, Sam Gibbons has sacrificed for his country 
and represented his fellow citizens honestly and faithfully on both the 
State and Federal level. He has played an important role in some of the 
most significant events of the century, from the D-day invasion to the 
creation of Medicare and Head Start.
  Mr. Speaker, the accomplishments of Sam Gibbons are the 
accomplishments of America. Sam went about doing great things with very 
little fanfare, and a large dose of humility. Every American living 
today and those not yet born will live longer, healthier, and more 
productive lives because of the quiet excellence of Congressman Sam 
Gibbons.
  Mr. Speaker, Sam Gibbons established himself as a leader early in 
life.
  More than 50 years ago, Sam Gibbons was a skinny 24-year-old captain 
in the 501st Parachute Infantry.
  In the dark, pre-dawn hours of June 6, Sam began the long and 
treacherous campaign to wrest control of Europe from Hitler's iron 
grasp by parachuting through thick machine gun fire and behind German 
lines near Normandy, France.
  Realizing he was alone and miles from his planned drop point, Sam 
nonetheless quickly determined his position, picked up other Americans 
along the way and carried out his mission to capture French towns and 
prevent reinforcements from reaching German troops battling the allied 
invasion at Normandy.
  Mr. Speaker, Sam Gibbons helped D-day succeed by carrying out his 
mission. For his bravery and valor, he was awarded the Bronze Star.
  Sam's career in public service began with his election to the Florida 
House of Representatives in 1952. While there, he passed landmark 
legislation creating the University of South Florida. In 1958, he was 
elected to the Florida Senate and enacted the law to establish 
Florida's regional water management districts.
  Soon after coming to Congress in 1962, Sam played a pivotal role in 
the passage of landmark social legislation. President Lyndon Johnson 
appointed the junior Congressman as floor manager for much of his Great 
Society program, including Head Start, still recognized as one of the 
most successful and cost-effective programs of the Federal Government.
  Just like in World War II, Sam Gibbons was in the trenches fighting 
for the passage of Medicare and Medicaid, because he understood the 
fundamental fairness and need to maintain a minimum level of health 
care for every American.
  And when the Republican leadership tried to significantly weaken 
Medicare by cutting $270 billion, Sam Gibbons didn't just roll over, he 
shouted so that all of America could hear. He told the truth about what 
deep cuts to the program would do. He woke up Americans with the facts 
and they started calling their Representatives. Sam Gibbons made people 
understand that the fight over Medicare was not an academic one, it 
involved the future of the program 37 million people and their families 
depend on and care deeply about. The Republican cuts to Medicare didn't 
go through, and Sam Gibbons was a big reason why.
  Mr. Speaker, I was deeply saddened when I heard that Sam Gibbons had 
decided to retire from Congress. He is my friend, my teacher and a man 
with so much more to give to this institution. But I know that life 
goes on, and for Sam, there will be many new challenges and adventures 
ahead. To Sam and his wonderful wife, Martha, who will celebrate their 
50th wedding anniversary this year, I offer my heartfelt wishes for 
continued happiness and success.
  Sam, the House just won't be the same place without you.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an 
outstanding public servant and good friend, Congressman Sam Gibbons. I 
was saddened to hear of his retirement; however, after such an 
illustrious career, his legacy will live on in this Chamber.
  He answered his country's call to service both at home and abroad. At 
a tender age, he joined the U.S. Army and served with distinction 
during World War II. For 5 years, he fought courageously against 
tyranny with the 501st Parachute Infantry/101st Airborne Division. As 
part of the initial assault landing force on D-day, Sam parachuted onto 
Normandy beach. He earned a Bronze Star for his bravery on that 
historic day.
  Shortly after the war, he entered State politics and was instrumental 
in establishing the University of South Florida. On November 6, 1962, 
the people of Florida's 11th District elected Sam Gibbons to the U.S. 
House of Representatives. Since the 88th Congress, he has been an 
advocate of free trade and a friend to children, seniors, and the 
disadvantaged.
  I served with him from 1965 to 1977, and together we joined in the 
great achievements of this era such as the creation of Head Start and 
the enactment of Medicare. Although he served a pivotal role in passing 
sweeping legislation back then, perhaps his greatest fight was in the 
104th Congress. His powerful speeches in defense of programs for the 
elderly and children exemplified his ardent commitment to those who are 
powerless in our society.
  I will never forget Sam's fiery contributions to the debate on my 
welfare substitute last March. He fought tirelessly during the heated 
discussion. His presence on the floor helped gain control as the issue 
generated passionate remarks from both sides of the aisle. Although the 
substitute failed, I will always appreciate Sam's support. The record 
will show his undying compassion for America's children.
  Yes, this Chamber will miss Sam Gibbons, but his retirement is well 
deserved. From the beaches of Normandy to the U.S. Congress, he 
dedicated a virtual lifetime to making this country a better place. He 
has gained my respect and admiration. For his accomplishments and 
devotion, he will be remembered as the essence of a public servant. My 
best wishes to you and your family, Sam.
  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the 
distinguished gentlelady from Florida, Representative Corrine Brown, 
and members of the Florida congressional delegation, for hosting 
today's special order. We are privileged to join him in paying tribute 
to Sam Gibbons, the dean of their delegation and our good friend and 
mentor.
  Once in a great while, we in the House of Representatives witness the 
loss of an institution within this institution. Today represents such 
an occasion. For 34 years, Sam Gibbons has served in the Halls of 
Congress. Throughout his tenure, he has been a passionate advocate for 
the citizens of our Nation. Indeed, he has represented the Eleventh 
Congressional District of Florida with the highest level of integrity 
and commitment. As one of the longest-serving Members of Congress, Sam 
Gibbons is a shining example of public service at its very best. I am 
proud to join my colleagues in reflecting upon his remarkable career.
  Mr. Speaker, Sam Gibbons began his political rise with his election 
to the Florida House of Representatives in 1952. Four years later, in 
1958, he was elected to the Florida Senate. The highlight of his 
political career came in 1962 when Florida residents selected Sam 
Gibbons to represent their interests in the Halls of Congress. It was 
an outstanding choice for the State of Florida and the Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, Sam Gibbons brought to the U.S. Congress the drive and 
determination to represent citizens who are often voiceless in the 
legislative deliberations. In the mid-1960's, while still only a junior 
Congressman, President Lyndon Johnson appointed Sam Gibbons as floor 
manager for much of his Great Society program. Sam Gibbons successfully 
navigated the antipoverty package, which included the Head Start 
Program, through the Congress. He has also been a staunch supporter of 
pension reform, and he has played a pivotal role throughout his 
congressional career in shaping the Nation's tax laws.
  Mr. Speaker, Sam Gibbons has served with distinction as a ranking 
member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Joint Committee on 
Taxation. For 13 years, he served as chairman of the Ways and Means 
Subcommittee on Trade. In this position, Sam  has advocated his 
position on open markets and fair trade. Sam Gibbons also guides the 
23-member Florida congressional delegation where his political insight 
and legislative skills have earned him the respect and admiration of 
his colleagues.
  Mr. Speaker, we will miss Sam Gibbons when he departs the Congress at 
the end of this legislative session. However, he has created a legacy 
of outstanding public service that will stand for many years to come. I 
extend my good wishes to Sam, his lovely wife of 49 years, Martha, and 
members of the Gibbons family. We congratulate our good friend, Sam 
Gibbons, and we wish him many, many years of happiness and good health.
  Mr. SENSENBRENNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
gentleman from Florida, Mr. Sam Gibbons, who has distinguished himself 
over the past 34 years in the House of Representatives through 
outstanding service to the people of the United States.
  Mr. Gibbons is a World War II hero who parachuted into Normandy on D-
day as part of the 101st Airborne. After serving his country in the 
war, he began his political career while practicing law.
  Mr. Gibbons entered the Florida State House in 1952; 6 years later, 
he was elected to the State senate. For the past 34 years, he

[[Page H4124]]

had admirably served in the House of Representatives for the Tampa 
area.
  Mr. Gibbons' legislative successes include floor-managing President 
Lyndon Johnson's antipoverty package, which contained Head Start and 
other programs.
  Throughout his years in public service, Sam Gibbons has been an 
unwavering advocate for the least fortunate in our society. He has 
admirably remained true to his values and principles even in the face 
of sharp opposition and criticism.
  On behalf of the citizens of Wisconsin's ninth district, we thank Mr. 
Sam Gibbons for his outstanding service.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, it was with great regret that I learned of 
the retirement of Representative Sam Gibbons. One of our most esteemed 
Members, and the dean of the Florida delegation, Sam Gibbons has 
decided to retire after spending 34 years working on behalf of 
America's families.
  As a young man, Sam Gibbons won the Bronze Star for parachuting into 
Normandy during World War II. After the war, he became a lawyer and 
served in both the Florida State House and Senate before being elected 
to Congress.
  During his tenure in Congress, Sam Gibbons has worked to enact 
meaningful legislation concerning Medicare, Medicaid, pension reform, 
and trade. In fact, Sam Gibbons was the floor manager during the 1960's 
for President Johnson's antipoverty package, which created Head Start 
and the Job Corps among other programs.
  In addition, as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in 1994, Sam 
guided a new world trade pact, the General Agreement on Tariffs and 
Trade, through House passage.
  It has been an honor and a privilege to serve in the House with 
Representative Gibbons. Clearly, Sam's hard work and dedication to 
public service have improved the lives of all Americans, and he will be 
sorely missed. I wish him well in his retirement.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay tribute to a 
man who is a living symbol of what is good about this country. Next 
January, Congress will lose a fine man and a true fighter who has spent 
his entire life serving his country in one capacity or another. I want 
to join my colleagues in wishing Congressman Sam Gibbons the best of 
luck.
  Congressman Gibbons recently announced that he will not seek 
reelection to another term in Congress. While he will be missed by many 
Members, he has left an indelible mark on the Congress and his own 
personal imprint on the history of our country.
  Sam Gibbons began his service to his country long before he entered 
public life and the political arena. In 1944, He parachuted behind 
German lines into Normandy as part of the Allied Forces that led the 
United States to victory in World War II. He was awarded a bronze star 
for his service.
  In 1953, he was elected to the Florida House of Representatives, 
serving in that capacity for 6 years. As a State representative, he 
helped bring the University of South Florida, one of the finest 
institutions of higher learning in our State, to his Tampa District. He 
was elected to the State Senate in 1959.
  He began walking the halls of Congress in 1963 and immediately 
established himself as a prominent voice fighting for the interests of 
his constituents.
  He also played an instrumental role in securing Federal money for the 
building of the sunshine skyway bridge--one of the true architectural 
marvels in our beautiful State.
  Mr. Speaker, having known Sam for many years, I can tell you that he 
is genuinely concerned for the welfare of his constituents. While we 
have often not agreed about certain issues, I have always known that 
Sam deeply cares about the people he represents--and I respect him for 
that.
  I would like to join my colleagues in congratulating him on his 
outstanding service to his country and wish him the best of luck in all 
of his future endeavors.
  Mr. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, in the last 18 months, Democrats like Sam 
Gibbons and myself have found our voices in taking on the reactionary 
and extremist behavior we have seen coming to the fore in this 
institution. Some may think Sam is retiring at a time when his voice is 
vital to the rejuvenation of our party. Let me tell you a little bit 
about the history Sam Gibbons has created during his tenure as a 
Florida Congressman.
  Since 1965, Sam Gibbons has been a tireless advocate for the Nation's 
elderly. We both voted for Medicare during its inception in 1965 and 
have continued to fight for its funding especially today when the 
Republicans want to cut it to fund their wealthy tax break. I remember 
when Sam was floor manager during Lyndon Johnson's Great Society 
legislation which included programs like Head Start and the Job Corps.
  As the chairman and now ranking member on the House Ways and Means 
Committee I had the honor of working closely with Sam as his committee 
oversaw the Medicare trust fund and Commerce oversaw Medicaid and part 
of Medicare.
  I have watched Sam Gibbons grow from a Florida freshman to a virtual 
institution and a recognized leader in his party. This Congress will 
not be the same without you. It will have been 34 years since I last 
knew this institution without Sam Gibbons and I am saddened to return 
to that time.
  Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sam M. Gibbons, a 
long-time friend. He is now retiring after serving in the House of 
Representatives for 34 years. He has served the Tampa Bay area well 
these many years, and his departure will sadden those of us who have 
served with him and those he has represented.
  Sam has been a stalwart member of the Ways and Means Committee since 
1969, and he served as chair of the Subcommittee on Trade from 1981 
through 1994. In that role, he championed open markets and free and 
fair trade around the globe, and his accomplishments have been hailed 
both on the international and the domestic fronts. He became ranking 
minority member in 1994 and showed the Republican majority that he was 
not afraid to stand up to them.
  The work done by Sam on the domestic front is close to my own heart. 
Sam  helped to guide President Lyndon Johnson's antipoverty package 
through Congress in the mid-1960's, and is largely responsible for the 
Head Start Program, which has nurtured young children from poor 
backgrounds in preparation for school ever since. This is one of the 
major accomplishments of the war against poverty.
  His social conscience will leave a great legacy for years to come. 
Sam bravely supported the Voting Rights Act of 1965, helping to 
dismantle the artificial barriers that kept African-Americans from 
exercising their constitutional right to vote. He not only supported, 
but enhanced the anti-apartheid bill that helped to end the apartheid 
regime of South Africa. He also cosponsored the civil rights 
restoration bill of 1990.
  I have the utmost respect for Sam. I respect his insight into the 
complex problems of our day and his sound judgment. He is principled, 
fighting for both personal and party principles. He is feisty and 
tenacious in pursuing his goals. He would not tolerate distorted 
exaggerations of the truth, particularly about the state of the poor in 
America. I will miss him and his leadership. I wish him a most happy 
retirement.
  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to take this time to honor 
Congressman Sam Gibbons for his service to his State and his country. I 
want to congratulate him on his achievements as a Representative and on 
his decision to retire.
  After his 17 terms in office, it goes without saying that he will be 
missed. I am sure most of you will agree that the House Ways and Means 
Committee will not be the same after he leaves.
  Before becoming a Member of Congress, Sam had already proven himself 
to be a man of honor and courage. His life has been filled with moments 
that showed his true merit from parachuting into Normandy during D-day, 
where he earned the bronze star, to the 10 years of duty in the Florida 
Legislature.
  It was due in large part to his work in the Florida Legislature that 
the University of South Florida was created, and it is why today he is 
known as ``The father of the University of South Florida.''
  Which leads us to his 34 years of service here in the U.S. House of 
Congress. As a member of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and the 
Joint Committee on Taxation, he has left his mark on many of the bills 
passed through Congress. It has been because of his tenacity that bills 
ranging from Project Head Start to international trade agreements have 
been moved from committee to law.
  I want to reiterate what a pleasure it has been to know Sam and his 
wife, Martha, and their three sons, Clifford, Tim, and Mark. I have 
enjoyed serving with him over the years, and I especially enjoyed 
attending the 40th and 50th anniversary of D-day in Europe with him.
  I wish him all the best in his retirement, but I have my suspicions 
that his face will not just disappear off the scene. He has too much 
experience in areas that are crucial to the running of this country. I 
am sure he will pop in now and again to keep the social issues he has 
worked so hard on headed in the right direction.
  Mr. KLECZKA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to my retiring 
colleague and friend, the Honorable Sam Gibbons of Florida.
  Sam and I have served together on the Ways and Means Committee since 
1993. Though I have only had the privilege of working closely with him 
for the last 3 of his 34 years in Congress, I have quickly come to 
value his hard work and dedication. The committee has benefited greatly 
from his years of experience working on behalf of economic growth and 
fairness for all Americans.

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  Even in the early days of his congressional career, Representative 
Gibbons was a tireless champion of efforts to help the poorest among 
us. It was under his leadership and guidance that antipoverty 
initiatives such as Head Start were successfully steered through the 
House. In his more recent service as acting chairman of the Ways and 
Means Committee, he committed himself to efforts to ensure that all 
Americans would have good health care. In this, the 104th Congress, he 
has continued this long tradition of leadership as ranking member and 
leader of the Democrats on my committee.
  I know that my Ways and Means colleagues and I will certainly miss 
Sam Gibbons. His leadership, companionship, good humor, and fierce 
commitment to what he believes is right make him a valued ally whose 
presence will be sorely missed.

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