[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 144 (Wednesday, October 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2044]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MAYOR SAMSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER DEUTSCH

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 15, 2003

  Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. Dave 
Samson, the late Mayor of Sunny Isles Beach. Mr. Samson was not only an 
exemplary civic leader, but a great Floridian, and a caring husband, 
father and grandfather.
  Since retiring in 1972 as a business owner in Chicago, Samson 
promptly moved to South Florida. Always eager to assist his fellow 
citizens and be active within the community, Samson became involved in 
many civic affairs, as he assumed the position of president of his 
condominium association. Eventually, Samson was recognized as the 
leader of Miami-Dade County's Citizens Advisory Committee. In 1997, 
Samson led a successful campaign to incorporate the 3-mile-long strip 
in northeast Miami-Dade County, and he became the founding father of 
Sunny Isles Beach. He also spearheaded a large-scale movement to remake 
a sleepy area of low-rise motels built along Collins Avenue in the 
1950s into a dream city of soaring condominium towers.
  Not to be forgotten, Mayor Samson, the one and only Mayor of Sunny 
Isles Beach, was devoted to his family, his work, and his community. He 
was a remarkable man who was still working hard on his city's vision at 
age 88, up until his death this past weekend.
  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed an honor to stand here today and remember 
the life of an exemplary citizen of South Florida, one who devoted 
himself to his constituents, friends and family, and always sought a 
better quality of life for his community. His legacy will surely last a 
lifetime. Mr. Samson is survived by his wife, Marion, with whom he 
recently celebrated his 64th wedding anniversary, sons Michael and 
Stuart, and seven grandchildren.

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