[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H4127-H4128]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 SAM GIBBONS: A LEADER ON TRADE ISSUES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Crane] is recognized during 
morning business for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, at the close of the 104th Congress we will, 
with regret but with pride in having known him, bid goodbye to a valued 
friend and a dedicated Member of this Chamber, the Honorable Sam 
Gibbons of Florida.
  I have had the privilege of knowing the dean of the Florida 
delegation for more than 25 years and during most of that time we 
served together on the Ways and Means Committee. There he has served 
with the highest distinction, particularly as chairman of the Trade 
Subcommittee, a position which I now have the good fortune to hold, and 
later as chairman of this powerful committee with paramount 
jurisdiction over taxes, trade, welfare, Medicare, and Social Security.
  However, I believe it is his commitment to free and fair trade for 
the United States which constitutes the greatest legacy of the 
honorable Member from Florida. He has guided numerous trade policy 
milestones through the sometimes contentious legislative process, 
including the historic passage of the United States-Israel Free Trade 
Agreement, the United States-Canada Free Trade Agreement, the 
subsequent North American Free Trade Agreement, and the Uruguay Round 
Multilateral Trade Agreements.
  On both a bilateral and multilateral basis, he has worked tirelessly 
to expand markets and improve trade relationships all over the world. 
This includes not only our traditional trading partners, such as 
Canada, Mexico, Japan, and the European Union, but also the emerging 
economies of Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and China.
  It seems on the face of it such an impossible task. However, although 
the challenges were exceedingly difficult and the interests both at 
home and abroad were diverse, Sam's commitment to the philosophy of 
open, competitive markets and uniform trading rules provided the solid 
foundation for success after success. These successes meant the 
creation of more and more jobs and a higher standard of living 
throughout the world.
  Mr. Gibbons has traveled the world and talked frankly and openly with 
presidents, kings, dictators, and prime ministers. He also has traveled 
this country and talked to big business, small business, workers, and 
consumers--friend and foe alike. The results are his legacy--an economy 
that is the envy of the world, an expanding job market, and a primary 
role for the United States in international trade policy.
  There are few instances when the welfare of the average American 
working family has been so directly and significantly affected by the 
dedicated leadership of one man. We can claim such an honor for Sam 
Gibbons. His trade policy leadership, along with his contributions in 
the area of Medicare, Social Security, and tax reform, has touched the 
lives of so many, many Americans.
  Jobs have been created and the quality of life has been lifted. He 
has improved the lives of the citizens of his congressional district, 
his State, and the Nation.
  In the years to come, others must provide the caliber of leadership 
and commitment for which Sam Gibbons has become so well known. Others 
will strive to achieve his high standards of integrity, dedication to 
family, and service to country in both peace and war. I believe Sam 
Gibbons has provided a blueprint for a life of public service that will 
both attract and challenge a new generation of congressional leaders.
  I look forward to my friend's continued contribution in private life; 
I will

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forever cherish his friendship; and, I join my colleagues in extending 
the Honorable Sam Gibbons my very best wishes for the future. God bless 
you, Sam.

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