[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26000]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MARTHA GIBBONS, LATE WIFE OF FORMER CONGRESSMAN SAM GIBBONS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Porter). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Davis) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, tonight I rise in honor of Martha 
Gibbons, who hand in hand with her husband, former Congressman Sam 
Gibbons, faithfully and selflessly served the Tampa Bay area.
  Sam and Martha were partners in all that they did. During Sam's 34 
years in Congress, Martha was Sam's right hand. From her desk in his 
office, Martha helped Sam respond to letters from constituents, and she 
gave countless tours of the Capitol to visitors from Tampa. Martha 
served as Sam's campaign manager and joined him on all his travels, 
both in his congressional district and around the world. Sam served as 
chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade 
and, by his side, Martha played an important role in representing the 
United States during international trips and meetings.
  While in Washington, Martha also served as president of the 
Congressional Club, the International Friends Club, and the Florida 
House Foundation; and throughout her life she was active in a host of 
civic and charitable organizations. Tampa Bay residents will always see 
Martha's legacy at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Martha 
worked with her husband to provide the legislative authority for the 
creation of the University of South Florida. The Sam and Martha Gibbons 
Alumni Center located on the USF campus in Tampa stands in honor of 
their efforts.
  Those who had the pleasure of getting to know Martha will remember 
her warmth and graciousness, her boundless energy, and the strength 
with which she supported all of her husband's endeavors in our 
community. Martha was and always will be a near-perfect model of grace 
and the best of Southern charm and hospitality. She represented our 
community in a manner that made us very proud. Tampa, Florida, and the 
entire Nation is a better place in countless ways thanks to Martha's 
work.
  Martha's recent passing, I know, is an enormous loss for Sam, their 
three very talented sons and seven grandchildren. On behalf of the 
Tampa Bay community and all of us here in Congress, I extend my deepest 
sympathies.

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