[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 138 (Monday, September 30, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO REPRESENTATIVE GIBBONS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RICHARD NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 28, 1996

  Mr. NEAL of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment 
to pay tribute to a colleague, friend, and mentor--Sam Gibbons. Sam 
Gibbons was first elected to Congress in 1962 and he has been honorably 
serving the 11th District of Florida ever since he was first elected.
  I have been privileged to serve with Sam not only as Member of the 
House, but as member of the Committee on Ways and Means, the oldest 
Committee in the House. I had the opportunity to serve with Sam both in 
the majority and minority. I was amazed at the adjustment he made from 
the majority to the minority.
  During the Contract With America, there were many bleak days for the 
Democrats, especially those of us on Ways and Means. We were meeting 
everyday to work on agenda that we felt was the wrong direction for 
America. The manner in which Sam championed the rights of the elderly 
reminded me of the tradition of another great Representative from 
Florida, Claude Pepper. Sam kept on fighting and he inspired us all. We 
pulled together and rallied behind his energy to prevent enactment of 
drastic Medicare cuts.
  Not only did he champion the rights of the elderly, he watched out 
for our future by strongly advocating children's rights. I hope many of 
us do not forget the image of Sam Gibbons during the welfare debate 
wearing his ``Save the Children'' tie with a brightly painted school 
bus. His emotion reminded us of the gravity of the debate before us. 
Those of us who continue to serve should uphold the principles Sam 
Gibbons displayed.
  I was disappointed when I first heard the news of Sam's retirement. I 
remember reading his statement about how he was going to start another 
phase of his life and it is time to move on. I know at 76 years of age 
Sam has lots of fight left in him and I hope he continues to lead us 
and share his opinions. I wish you well in your new life after 
Congress. Bust most of all, I want to thank you Sam for showing us how 
to fight for our beliefs.

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