[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 57 (Monday, April 26, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO SAM GILMAN

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                            HON. LANE EVANS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 26, 1999

  Mr. EVANS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dear friend 
of mine, Sam Gilman of Moline, IL. On April 29, 1999, the Quad Cities 
Israel Bonds Council will award Sam with the Jerusalem Medal for 
dedicated service to his community and Israel. I have learned so much 
from Sam about public service over the years, and take great joy in 
seeing him recognized for his outstanding achievements.
  Sam understands what it means to give of yourself to help others. 
After graduating from college, he served his country for 4 years in the 
U.S. Army during World War II. Following law school at Harvard 
University, Sam returned to the Quad Cities to practice law, and later 
become a director of the Pinnacle Banc Group. He has also helped build 
enduring institutions that serve the entire community, including 
founding WQAD and WQPT and serving as Chairman of the Board of 
Franciscan Medical Center.
  Sam has been instrumental in developing a strong Jewish community and 
support for Israel in Western Illinois. His leadership as a director 
and past president of the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, as 
founder of the Quad Cities Yom HaShoah Committee, and past director of 
the Tri-City Jewish Center strengthened those groups and laid a 
foundation for an active community for years to come.
  I have also been a witness to Sam's love for Israel and his 
dedication to helping Jews in need around the world. In 1986, we 
traveled together in a group to Israel, and I learned to appreciate the 
deep affection he has for all that the land and its people represent. 
Two years later, on a journey to the former Soviet Union, I joined Sam 
as we met with refuseniks and worked to help Soviet Jews fighting for 
their freedom under an oppressive regime. Sam's work and that of 
countless others in the Jewish community is directly responsible for 
securing the right of Jews to emigrate from the former Soviet Union and 
for helping Israel to resettle this mass exodus of people in a land 
where they can be free.
  Finally, I have been fortunate to benefit from Sam's wise counsel and 
support for almost twenty years. He has been a true mentor to me since 
I first sought to represent Western Illinois in Congress, and as 
treasurer of my campaign committee, has played a critical role in every 
race I have run. Most of all, I am proud to call Sam a friend, and look 
forward to many more years of sharing his advice.




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