Sam Gibbons: “I find it a true honor as a freshman to be here standing and addressing my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr.…”

“I find it a true honor as a freshman to be here standing and addressing my good friend, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Solomon), because you do not have to be here 20 years, as I have been only 1 year, to find him to be a true friend and a man that we all look up to. I say, as we look out today among our colleagues here, we are approaching the end of an era at the end of the 105th, the era of Solomon in this Congress. The gentleman from New York will be truly missed as a gentleman who fought for veterans, fought for the flag, fought for this country. I think of General MacArthur when he said, and I will paraphrase, 'Duty, honor, country.' Those three hallowed words mean and reflect all that you can be, all that you should be, all that you will be. I think those of us who admire Jerry Solomon believe those three words are indeed the reflection of Jerry. Jerry, as you go home to your family and a loving constituency, I want to wish you the very best and to your wife and family as well. I salute you for your hard work, your dedication, and your friendship in this body.”