[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF SAM GIBBONS

                                 ______


                               speech of

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 30, 1996

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to our distinguished 
colleague, Mr. Gibbons. The unwavering determination and fighting 
spirit of this war hero and political hero will be sorely missed when 
he leaves this body.
  Appointed to the chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee in the 
103d Congress, his tenure was much too brief. Congressman Gibbons 
currently serves as the ranking Democratic Member.
  First elected to Congress in 1962, which makes him a Member of this 
House for more than three decades, Mr. Gibbons is never far from the 
action--in fact, we usually can find him right in the middle of it. 
This Congress he has been a noted and passionate defender of Medicare 
and Medicaid, school lunches and a welfare system that creates long-
term solutions to the cycle of poverty.
  The Member from Tampa has a long history of shepherding domestic 
programs through the House. In the 1960's, President Johnson entrusted 
Sam to manage on the floor much of his Great Society Program, which 
included the very successful Head Start and Job Corps Programs.
  Congressman Gibbons has served his country for all of his adult life, 
beginning with his valiant service in World War II, when he parachuted 
into France the night before the Normandy invasion and received a 
Bronze Star for his heroic efforts.
  Congressman Gibbon's contributions to this House are legion. We will 
miss particularly his spirit, his tenacity, his humor, and his 
commitment to improving our country. I join with all of my colleagues 
in wishing our friend well as he moves on to his next challenge.

                          ____________________