[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF FORMER U.S. REPRESENTATIVE WILLIAM LEHMAN

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2005

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, today we mark the passing of 
William Lehman, retired Member of this august body and exemplary human 
being. Mr. Lehman was born in Selma, Alabama on October 5, 1913. His 
reputation for honesty was developed early in life when he moved to 
Miami and opened a used car business. Television viewers got to know 
``Alabama Bill'' through his commercial advertising. Auto buyers in 
Dade County quickly realized that he always treated his customers 
fairly.
  In the early 1960s, he began teaching English literature in Dade 
County public schools, where he was highly valued and greatly respected 
by his colleagues and his students. Building on his success as an 
educator, he was elected to the school board in 1966 and became its 
chairman in 1970.
  In 1972, Bill ran for Congress in the newly created 13th District, 
winning easily. From then until his retirement in 1992, he was a 
tireless advocate for the citizens of northeast Dade County. He quickly 
rose to a position of prominence in the House of Representatives, 
becoming chairman of the Appropriations Committee's subcommittee that 
oversaw highways, seaports and mass transit systems. Public transit was 
always important to Bill Lehman, as he knew it was a lifeline to 
employment, grocery shopping, doctor visits and other necessary 
services for poor and working class citizens.
  In addition to normal Congressional business, Mr. Lehman's career in 
the House of Representatives was noted for many remarkable deeds. Among 
those were his trips to Cuba and Argentina to secure the release of 
political prisoners and the brave venture of smuggling an artificial 
heart valve into the Soviet Union to save the life of a critically ill 
woman. Throughout his career in Congress, Bill Lehman was known as an 
``unbending liberal.'' This is one of many characteristics that 
endeared him to me. He was a friend of more than thirty years, a mentor 
and a very important role model. By his very nature, he was a constant 
source of inspiration and encouragement to people who work every day to 
make our world a better place.
  Florida, America, and the world have lost a giant with the passing of 
William Lehman. To paraphrase another famous American political leader 
known for his honesty, Abraham Lincoln, the world will greatly note and 
long remember the life of Bill Lehman. May he rest in peace.

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