[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO SID OMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 29, 2009

  Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Sid 
Oman, who was 81 when he passed away on Monday, April 27, 2009.
  America lost a political icon with the death of Sid Oman. Sid will 
certainly be remembered for both his successful business and political 
careers. Nationally, he was recognized by President Reagan for his role 
in the War on Drugs, and he was widely known for being elected to serve 
as mayor of two cities in different states, Chesapeake, Virginia and 
Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
  From the beginning, Sid Oman planned to be a funeral director. He 
founded his own business--Oman Funeral Homes--and he set the standard 
for the way in which he ran his business. He served as President of 
both the Virginia Funeral Directors Association and the Tidewater 
Funeral Directors Association. His business reputation led to his role 
as the director of General Douglas MacArthur's funeral in 1964.
  Sid was so much more than a funeral director. He was a Marine, a 
Sunday school teacher, a marriage commissioner, and he played a 
leadership role in numerous civil groups committed to the communities 
in which he lived and worked every day, including business, health 
care, education, and service organizations.
  Sid was deeply engaged in connecting with citizens and friends in the 
community through technology and media. He hosted weekly TV and radio 
shows, including ``The Sounding Board,'' ``The Vantage Point,'' ``Call 
to City Hall,'' and ``Mayor's Report.''
  In his later years, Sid's personal battle with cancer and his 
resilient commitment to ensuring access to cancer treatment for others 
resulted in Chesapeake General Hospital naming its Cancer Treatment 
Center in his honor.
  At home, Sid was the proud husband of Lillian Callis Oman since 1947. 
He had two children--his daughter Susan, and his son, Robert, who 
followed his father's footsteps into the funeral business.
  However, for Chesapeake residents he represents the personification 
of the office of Mayor, an office he officially held for six years, but 
for which he was known for the remainder of his life. Sid's love for 
people and his city will not soon be forgotten or easily replaced, and 
his contributions to our lives in Chesapeake will live on for 
generations.

                          ____________________