[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1953-E1954]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO CONGRESSMAN JERRY SOLOMON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2001

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a dear friend and 
fellow Dale County, Alabama native, Congressman Jerry Solomon, who 
passed away last Friday. Although Jerry retired from this great 
institution three years ago, he never really left us. He was integral 
to the conservative effort to gain the House in 1995 and he served 
honorably as the powerful chairman of the House Rules Committee from 
that time until his retirement.
  Jerry Solomon was born in Okeechobee, Florida on August 14, 1930. As 
a young boy he left Florida for Dale County, Alabama to live with 
relatives. He settled in the small Dale County community of Echo which 
is only ten miles from my hometown of Midland City, Alabama.
  A few years later, Jerry moved to Delmar, New York to join his 
family. It was New York State which became his new home and where he 
later attended Siena College and St. Lawrence University. Jerry served 
his country joining the U.S. Marine Corps at the outset of the Korean 
War and remained on active duty until 1952. He was a Marine Corps 
reservist until 1959.
  For over 25 years, Solomon labored as a successful businessman in 
Glens Falls, New

[[Page E1954]]

York where he lived with his wife, Freda. His political career began at 
the local level where he served as Queensbury Town Supervisor and 
Warren County Supervisor. He then served six years as New York State 
assemblyman.
  Jerry successfully ran as a Republican for Congress in 1978 and 
steadily gained in popularity in his home 22nd Congressional District 
of New York. In 1990, Solomon received more votes than any other New 
York state congressman.
  His was a familiar voice for House Republicans on matters regarding 
veterans and our national defense. And I was honored to stand shoulder 
to shoulder with him in support of our men and women in uniform and to 
protect the American flag.
  Jerry was a true patriot and personified what is to be an American. I 
am proud to have called him a colleague and personal friend.

                          ____________________