Rep. Corrine Brown: “we are here today to honor Congressman Sam Gibbons on the occasion of his retirement at the end of this year. Even…”

“we are here today to honor Congressman Sam Gibbons on the occasion of his retirement at the end of this year. Even before Sam was elected to Congress in 1962, he already had a long and distinguished career. Serving 17 terms in Congress was a fine way for Sam to finish off his remarkable career in public life. Although, I am sure he is not going to disappear. I hear that Sam is gearing up to teach, among other things--not surprising for a man who has spent his whole life serving his country in one way or another. Sam is most treasured as a hero of World War II. He earned the Bronze Star after parachuting into Normandy on the night before D-day. Sam served for 10 years in the Florida House of Representatives. One of his proudest accomplishments was passing legislation that created the University of South Florida. Today, Sam is proud to be recognized as the 'Father of the University of South Florida.' In the Florida Senate, where he served for 4 years, Sam Gibbons helped establish Florida's regional water management districts. These districts are important because they have enabled us to repair, maintain, and preserve our precious water resources, not just for our current enjoyment, but for Florida's future as well.”