[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 27105]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CONGRESSMAN BILL CRAMER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL BILIRAKIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 2003

  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor 
Congressman Bill Cramer, one of our former colleagues who recently 
passed away.
  William Cramer, or Bill as he was known, lived a life of public 
service. He served 18 months as a Naval gunnery officer during World 
War II and was among the brave young men who invaded France and 
liberated Europe. He returned to the United States following the war, 
and after graduating from Harvard Law School, served as a city and 
county attorney in Pinellas County, Florida. He also actively involved 
himself with local volunteer and charitable organizations.
  Bill Cramer was a revolutionary in Florida politics. He was, when he 
won his seat in 1954, the first Republican from Florida elected to 
Congress since the Civil War. Congressman Cramer opened the door, so to 
speak, for Republicans seeking office in the Sunshine State. Before his 
election, many used to joke that Republicans could not get elected to 
anything in Florida, let alone a congressional seat. Congressman Cramer 
changed that and quickly became our party's standard bearer in the 
state.
  Congressman Cramer, in just his fifth term, became the ranking member 
on the House Public Works Committee. In 1964, he became Vice Chairman 
of the House Republican Conference, the second ranking House Republican 
behind Michigan Congressman and future President Gerald Ford. He 
vacated his House seat in 1970 for what ultimately was an unsuccessful 
bid for the U.S. Senate. One of Congressman Cramer's congressional 
aides, Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill Young, replaced him as 
the representative of Florida's Tenth Congressional District.
  Bill Cramer's public service did not end with his departure from 
Congress. He practiced law, held various positions with the Republican 
National Committee, and accepted several jobs in the Nixon and Ford 
Administrations. He then, as he later said, ``decided he wanted to 
spend more time back home'' where he grew up, so he returned to Florida 
where he continued to use his talent and influence to help Tampa Bay 
area residents.
  Mr. Speaker, next year marks the fiftieth anniversary of Bill 
Cramer's election to Congress. I hope that, as we approach that 
milestone, our colleagues on both sides of the aisle will join the 
Florida delegation in remembering him and his dedicated work in this 
institution on behalf of his constituents and his country.

                          ____________________