[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 121 (Friday, August 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1507-E1508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF THOM RUMBERGER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 5, 2011

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Thom 
Rumberger, who dedicated much of his life to preserving and restoring 
the unique, national treasure that is the Everglades. Thom's dedication 
and perseverance, in fact, earned him the nickname ``Defender of the 
Everglades.''
  The importance of the Everglades to both Florida and our country 
cannot be understated, and so neither can the accomplishments of a man 
who spent a significant amount of his career working to protect this 
one-of-a-kind national treasure. As an instrumental part in the passage 
of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan and the securing of 
several billion dollars in funding to execute this overarching plan to 
restore the Everglades, we owe him a great debt of gratitude both as 
Americans and as Everglades supporters.
  Thom's noteworthy accomplishments are not just limited to the 
Everglades, he was also involved in the implementation of two 
constitutional amendments as well as some of the first manatee 
protection laws.
  Thom's success extends to his career in private practice, as a 
founding partner of the Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell law firm. Under his 
leadership, the firm's modest beginnings quickly expanded to the 
forefront of global business litigation, representing such multi-
national corporations as American Airlines, Inc.,

[[Page E1508]]

Sears, Roebuck and Co., and Toyota Motor Corporation. Today, his firm 
includes 75 trial attorneys in five offices across Florida and Alabama. 
Thom has also been listed in Florida Super Lawyers every year from 2007 
to 2010.
  In addition to spending his career as a public servant, judge and 
prosecutor, Thom is a dedicated father and grandfather.
  Throughout his four decades in public service, Thom Rumberger 
embodied the importance of looking out for the common good. Thanks to 
the selfless commitment of folks like Thom, the restoration of 
America's Everglades is well underway.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bi-partisan resolution 
recognizing and honoring the life and work of Thom Rumberger.

                          ____________________