[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
[March 4, 1996]
[Pages 365-366]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Representative Sam Gibbons' Decision Not To Seek Reelection
March 4, 1996

    Congress has lost a tenacious champion of America's elderly and an 
unrelenting fighter for health care reform, open markets, and free trade 
with today's decision by Representative Sam Gibbons not to seek 
reelection.
    From his days as a hero on the beaches of Normandy through his 34 
years in Congress,

[[Page 366]]

Sam Gibbons has served his country and fought for what he believed. As a 
Congressman, Representative Gibbons has been a leader in domestic 
policy, particularly in the defense of America's senior citizens and the 
protection of their health care. In recent years, he has worked 
tirelessly on efforts to provide health care coverage to all Americans.
    The American people are grateful for Sam Gibbons' long service. His 
deep dedication to the Congress and to the American people will be 
sorely missed.