Benjamin Gilman: “Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in paying tribute to our late colleague, Hamilton…”

“Mr. LaFALCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in paying tribute to our late colleague, Hamilton Fish, Jr. As the fourth generation from his famous family to serve in Congress, Ham could easily have acted as if he were entitled to his position, as if he were born to it, but that was the exact opposite of the way he was. Ham Fish was as down to Earth and genuine as anyone I have ever known. Most important, Ham Fish was indeed a gentleman. One word. And a very gentle man. He could, and did, hold his own in the rough and tumble of politics, but he would not hurt a soul. He must have had as a tenet: Hurt no one. Embarrass no one. Be kind and gentle to everyone. Because that is the way Ham Fish was, day in and day out. He epitomized what every person should strive to be. He also epitomized what every legislator should strive to be: A fervent advocate for his point of view, yet someone always willing to see the other side and always understanding of the necessity to compromise for the greater good. One got the clear sense that when Ham looked at someone he did not see labels like Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative. Ham saw a fellow human being, someone who deserved to be heard, regardless of ideology, regardless of any other arbitrary classification. And that perhaps was his true hallmark.”