[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H8468]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING JUDGE A. JAY CRISTOL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to share the story of a 
man who is far more than ordinary, a man who has achieved more than 
some do in three lifetimes, always compassionate, caring and loving to 
the community to which he belongs.
  Today I am proud to honor Judge A. Jay Cristol, an astonishing man 
and native of Miami who remains vital, curious, and energetic. This 
pious man, who is dedicated to his country, put off law school to 
ultimately earn his distinguished Navy Wings of Gold. Judge Cristol 
braved active duty as an aircraft carrier combat pilot during the 
Korean Conflict, in addition to flying operational flights during the 
Cuban missile crisis. His commitment to our Nation was also seen in his 
volunteering to perform airlift missions to Vietnam, his affirmation 
being, ``I am proud to be an American and I love my country.''
  Judge Cristol, who was later made an honorary professor of the Naval 
Justice School, was assigned by the Department of Defense to lecture 
abroad concerning law of naval warfare. After retiring from the Navy in 
1988 and dutifully practicing law for 25 years, Judge Cristol was 
appointed to the bench of the U.S. bankruptcy court where he continues 
to serve in Florida's Southern District. If that were not enough, it is 
noteworthy to state that Judge Cristol is also an adjunct professor at 
the University School of Law.
  Always positive and with a smile on his face, Jay's inquisitiveness 
for international terrorism led him right into the university's 
graduate school of international studies. Interested in naval history, 
he began to research the 1967 incident with the USS Liberty where 
Israeli air and naval forces erroneously engaged the ship in 
international waters off the Sinai Peninsula. His meticulous analysis 
formed the basis for his book, ``The Liberty Incident,'' and earned him 
his Ph.D. His studies and his experience in the field have made him a 
sought-after scholar, appearing on national broadcasts such as CNN's 
``Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.''
  Mr. Speaker, what more could be said about the man who refused to see 
Pan Am Airlines shattered and who told the owners to ``kick the tires, 
light the fires and get those planes in the air,'' or the man who 
donates his aircraft and his time to perform angel flights, bringing 
children in need of medical aid who are in difficult-to-reach areas.
  In his humility, Judge Cristol attributes everything simply to being 
lucky and always believing that we have to make peace for mankind, love 
instead of hate, as there we find the promise of a better humankind.
  Indeed, it is an honor to speak of a man who pioneered in all of his 
endeavors and who continues to motivate others to do as well. Judge A. 
Jay Cristol is a brilliant, concerned individual who has put ripples in 
time with his profound dedication to a Nation that deserves him well.
  Congratulations, Judge Cristol.

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