[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 79 (Monday, June 2, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN TRIBUTE TO THOMAS SAAM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 2, 2003

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, Thomas Saam will long be remembered by local 
school children, union workers, Vietnam Veterans, family, friends and 
hundreds of children in Vietnam. Tom was a patriot who took great pride 
in America and his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. Always a strong 
voice for organized labor, Tom was a 26-year employee of General Motors 
Power Train in Toledo, OH. He was a proud United Auto Worker, UAW, and 
trustee who believed strongly in the quality of life for workers and 
their families who remained active as a member of the UAW Local No. 14 
Retirees.
  Seven years ago, in 1995, Tom Saam underwent a heart transplant. 
Following successful surgery, Tom became a spokesperson for transplants 
and a volunteer with the American Heart Association, receiving their 
prestigious Heart and Soul Award. He served with pride the American Red 
Cross, Life Connections of Ohio and the Mended Hearts Association. Upon 
his death on December 7, 2002, Tom Saam became a donor also. During the 
last 7 years as a proponent for organ and tissue donation, Tom Saam 
spent a great deal of time speaking to groups as an advocate for 
donation and educating children about the dangers of smoking. Tom's 
concern for our children and youth was always present in all that he 
did.
  Tom Saam, a former U.S. Marine, served two tours in Vietnam. Tom Saam 
never forgot his veteran buddies as an active member of Veteran of 
Foreign Wars Post No. 3265, Toledo, OH, and VFW Department of Ohio 
P.O.W./M.I.A. Chairman 1992-1995. Tom served as Post No. 3265 
Americanism Chairman from 1990-2002 and served as UAW Region 2B 
Veterans Representative 1995-2002.
  On Veteran's Day in 1999, Tom Saam and several other Vietnam Veterans 
joined me in our District Congressional Office and placed a conference 
call to then U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Pete Peterson. From that 
conversation and meeting, Tom Saam and his core group of veterans 
formed the D.O.V.E. Fund, a non-profit humanitarian organization 
dedicated to helping the children of Vietnam in the areas of health 
care, improving water quality and building schools. As a charter member 
and member of the D.O.V.E. Fund Board of Directors, Tom worked 
diligently to provide the extras such as writing tablets, pencils, 
toothbrushes, soap and other like items that the children of Vietnam 
need. Tom never hesitated to approach anyone he felt could provide 
assistance for a child. His dentist, his insurance agent, his union, 
his buddies and a variety of local veteran's groups were frequent 
donors of school supplies, ball caps, candy and anything else that kids 
needed to improve their quality of life.
  In May of 2001 Tom traveled with other veterans on a return trip to 
Vietnam. Tom had arranged through a Vietnamese-American contact to 
obtain what was believed to be the remains of 2 American M.I.A.s' and 
return these remains to our government in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. As 
a result of his efforts, Tom was named the June 2001, Citizen of the 
Month by Toledo's Mayor and was awarded the UAW Walter P. Reuther 
Distinguished Service Award for his courageous efforts. The D.O.V.E. 
Board of Directors is planning to build a school in Quang Tri Province, 
Vietnam and dedicate it in Tom Saam's memory.
  Tom is the father of Thomas, Jr., Jeremy, Laura and Jamie and the 
husband of Barbara. He will always be remembered as a loving husband 
and father, a veteran's advocate, a tough Marine and union member, a 
gentle spirit and mentor and a proud American. Mr. Oscar Bunch, 
President of Local No. 14 and long time friend of Tom said, ``Everyone 
who had anything to do with Tom just loved him.'' Many of us in 
Northwest Ohio share Oscar's sentiment. Tom Saam will be missed.

                          ____________________