[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 135 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING CLIFFORD SPIEGELMAN, PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL FLORES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2020

  Mr. FLORES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Dr. Clifford Spiegelman of College Station, Texas, who passed away 
on 14 May 2020.
  Dr. Spiegelman, known as Cliff to his family and friends, was born on 
15 May 1948 in Long Island, New York, to Charlie and Doris Spiegelman.
  In school, he was an accomplished athlete and won numerous awards for 
track and other sports. He also excelled in the classroom and pursued a 
career in academics, receiving his bachelor of science from the State 
University of New York at Buffalo in 1970, his master's degree in 
managerial economics from Northwestern University in 1973, and his 
Ph.D. in statistics and applied mathematics from Northwestern 
University in 1976.
  Cliff started his career with the agency now known as the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, commonly called NIST. He later 
became a tenured professor at the Department of Statistics at Texas A&M 
University.
  Serving on the faculty at Texas A&M for over 30 years, Cliff became 
renowned in his field and a highly sought-after expert in the 
application of statistical expertise to forensic science, chemistry, 
and medicine. In 2009, he was named a distinguished professor of 
statistics, the university's highest rank for faculty. His 
contributions to the field of statistics were further recognized in his 
appointment as a regents professor in 2019.
  Cliff was particularly known for his helpful nature and deep 
commitment to justice and fairness in the criminal justice system. He 
was nationally recognized for his research on statistical 
interpretation of criminal evidence, such as bullet fragment analysis 
and firearm tool marks.
  He was a fierce advocate of accuracy by investigators to prevent 
false convictions. He further expanded his advocacy through his work 
with the Innocence Project, testifying pro bona in evidentiary 
admissibility hearings and providing research that played critical 
roles in overturning false convictions of innocent individuals.
  His commitment to justice extended outside of the courtroom as well. 
He served on the Texas Forensic Science Commission as well as the Texas 
Holocaust and Genocide Commission, where he worked to ensure that the 
death statistics of the Holocaust and other genocides are reliably 
reported.
  Dr. Spiegelman leaves a professional legacy that is unmatched in his 
field. However, his proudest accomplishments were outside of the 
workplace.
  Cliff married Dr. Katherine Bretzlaff in 1990, a fellow professor at 
Texas A&M. Together, they raised two daughters, Lindsey and Abigail, 
who each carry their parents' commitments to academic excellence, 
strong work ethic, and kindness to those around them.
  In the tributes written by the many individuals and organizations 
positively impacted by Cliffs work, nearly all spoke of Cliffs pride in 
his family and his frequent excitement to share the achievements of his 
daughters.
  Madam Speaker, Dr. Clifford Spiegelman's life was defined by his 
outstanding accomplishments as a professor, mentor, and expert in 
statistics, as well as his commitment to his family and friends. He 
will be forever remembered for his strong principles and commitment to 
excellence and as a devoted husband, father, and friend.
  My wife, Gina, and I offer our deepest and heartfelt condolences to 
the Spiegelman family. I have requested the United States flag be flown 
over our Nation's Capitol to honor the life, legacy, and service of Dr. 
Clifford Spiegelman.

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