[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 57 (Tuesday, April 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H4129]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              SAM GIBBONS: A LIFE OF EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of May 
12, 1995, the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. Payne] is recognized during 
morning business for 2 minutes.
  Mr. PAYNE of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from 
California [Ms. Pelosi].
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Virginia [Mr. 
Payne] for yielding, and since he only has 2 minutes I will not take 
much of this time except to join my colleagues in commending Sam 
Gibbons, a great leader in the Congress of the United States; a leader 
on the issues; and, a gentleman at all times.
  Mr. PAYNE of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague from 
Florida, Ms. Brown, for requesting this special order to honor our good 
friend and colleague, Chairman Sam Gibbons.
  Many years ago, Teddy Roosevelt compared success in life to success 
in football. The key to success in both, he said, is to hit the line 
hard day after day.
  Those of us who have served with Sam Gibbons know that by this or any 
other measure, he has been an extraordinary success.
  For his entire adult life, Sam Gibbons has served this nation with 
courage and tenacity. From the day more than a half-century ago when he 
took part in the D-day invasion, to his passionate defense in this 
Congress of the millions of Americans who depend on Medicare, Sam 
Gibbons has always put his Nation first.
  I first came to know Sam well through my service on the House Ways 
and Means Committee. I remember the very difficult circumstances under 
which he assumed the chair. Sam took over the committee without a 
hitch. His approach was inclusive and thoughtful and was marked by a 
great sense of bipartisanship.
  Chairman Gibbons will always be remembered for his passionate defense 
of the nation's senior citizens and poor, for his tireless work on 
behalf of free and open trade, and for his advocacy of a fair, and 
equitable, and economically efficient Tax Code.
  Sam Gibbons is the consummate southern gentleman, and I am proud to 
call him my friend.
  Mr. Speaker, as Sam and Martha enter this new phase of their lives, I 
know the whole House of Representatives joins me in wishing him well.

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