Benjamin Gilman: “I am pleased to rise on this occasion to join our colleagues in paying tribute to our good friend Floyd Spence, to the…”

“I am pleased to rise on this occasion to join our colleagues in paying tribute to our good friend Floyd Spence, to the people of South Carolina, of expressing our heartfelt condolences to the family of our distinguished friend Floyd. Floyd was a true southern gentleman, a good friend to many of us, a committed husband and father, and a dedicated public servant to the men and women of our armed forces and to the people of South Carolina and to his beloved Nation. I have had the pleasure and honor of serving in the Congress with Floyd for more than 3 decades. As a Navy veteran, he was a staunch, unwavering advocate for our men and women in uniform. As chairman of the Committee on Armed Services, he fought tirelessly to improve the quality of life for our military personnel. Floyd was a man of great perseverance. From his early football injury through his more recent lung transplant, Floyd continued to give all he had to others, and he committed his life to fully serving his people in South Carolina.”