[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 182 (Friday, November 3, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF SAM SLOM, FORMER HAWAII STATE SENATOR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JILL N. TOKUDA

                               of hawaii

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 3, 2023

  Ms. TOKUDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of one of 
my favorite Republicans, my former colleague, my friend, the late 
Hawaii State Senator, Sam Slom.
  For 20 years, Sam represented East Honolulu's 9th Senatorial 
District. and for almost half that time, he was the sole Republican 
member of the Hawaii Senate earning him the self-imposed nickname. 
``The Lone Ranger.''
  As one of a handful. or the only, member of the minority party, Sam 
read every bill, every resolution, and defied time and space to try and 
get to every committee and vote.
  I had the honor and privilege of serving many years side by side Sam. 
Yes. we disagreed on many things, but more than not, we saw eye to eye, 
especially on our commitment to lowering the cost of living for middle 
class working families and being good fiscal stewards with taxpayer 
dollars.
  Prior to his service in the State Senate. Sam served as the chief 
economist for the Bank of Hawaii, and for over 30 years he was the 
President and Executive Director of Small Business Hawaii.
  There is much that could be said about the boy from Allentown, 
Pennsylvania, who found his way to Hawaii in the sixties and made 
Hawaii his home.
  What I can personally share is that he was often the member I could 
count on to be there. When I needed his vote, even if he disagreed, 
he'd help me get it to the floor and was open and honest with me on why 
he disagreed.
  He was a statesman till the very end, and given the partisan times we 
find ourselves in, I truly miss my friend.
  Mahalo to Sam for blessing us with his wisdom, his advocacy. and his 
friendship. There are more Hawaiian hoary bats in our islands because 
of him and we will forever remember him as the lone ranger who 
challenged our minds and won our hearts.

                          ____________________