[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 145 (Monday, November 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE LATE SAM V. CURTIS

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                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 13, 2000

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I note the 
passing of Sam V. Curtis, of Rialto, California, an uncommon, common 
man, known by all in his community.
  Sam's favorite quote was from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: ``The 
ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort 
and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and 
controversy.'' It is a fitting quote for Sam Curtis, a man who did not 
shy from fighting for justice and knowledge.
  A man of high moral standards and humble beginnings, originally from 
Birmingham, Alabama, Sam Curtis cared about people personally, and 
served them with high distinction. He cared about the schools; his 
community; his country. A member of the American Legion Post 422 Rialto 
and the Rialto VFW, he served in the Naval Air Wing during World War II 
in the Aleutian Islands, receiving the Asian Pacific Campaign Medal and 
the World War II Victory Medal. He was a husband for over half a 
century, a father, a grandfather, a great-grandfather.
  Sam was a close friend of my family and a consistent supporter of 
hard-fought causes. My wife Barbara and I share his family's quiet 
admiration for the measure of Sam's many accomplishments and his full 
life. Sam was truly the voice of the people, a principled man with a 
conscience, who served on the Rialto city council for sixteen years. 
Sam always had a dignity about him. He treated everyone the same way, 
with great respect.
  A teacher at heart, Sam started out as an educator, spending 27 years 
as a government and history teacher in the Rialto and San Bernardino 
school districts. Sam always emphasized to his students that they could 
effect positive change, by going to city council meetings and becoming 
aware of what was happening in their community. It is a fitting tribute 
to Sam's legacy as an educator that an elementary school proudly bears 
his name today, the ``Sam V. Curtis Elementary School.''
  It is impossible to find a former student whose life has not been 
changed positively by Sam, whether it is the beat cop on the street or 
the waitress in the corner coffee shop. Everyone can point to a turning 
point where Sam's teaching caused each to embark upon a course of 
action.
  In his long life of public service, Sam embraced the principle that 
one person can make a difference, by leading by example, getting people 
involved, touching everything and everyone in the community, leaving 
his mark like a modern-day Johnny Appleseed.
  Elected to the Rialto city council in 1976, Sam was known as a 
consumer advocate, fighting for the underdog, championing just causes 
such as discounts for senior citizens. He was unafraid to speak his 
mind and fight for what he believed, with passion, honor, vigor, and 
resoluteness. He would not compromise his beliefs.
  People looked up to Sam because of his respect for the community and 
his integrity as a person. Fair and courteous, even to those with whom 
he disagreed on the issues, he was beloved by all. We can learn much by 
his example.
  People were very proud of Sam, admiring his efforts and good works, 
whether it was fighting for the people as an elected official, or 
carrying on good works in the community through groups such as the 
Democratic Central Committee; the San Bernardino County Democratic 
luncheon club; Friends of the Rialto K-9's; the California Teachers 
Association; the Rialto Exchange Club; the Veterans Employment 
Committee; the Retired Teachers Association; the Rialto Historical 
Society; and the Sierra Club.
  I would like to offer my condolences to Sam's family: his wife, 
Eileen; his three sons, Victor, David and Philip; his daughter, 
Patricia; his ten grandchildren; and his great-grandchild.
  To Sam, we say: ``our thoughts and prayers lift upwards to heaven, 
where surely you are at peace. And so we say `goodbye, we miss you, God 
bless you. We shall remember you always, and your good deeds will live 
in our hearts.' ''




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