James Traficant: “Sam Gibbons was a war hero. He has been a congressional hero. He is an American hero. In the delicate nature of the work…”

“Sam Gibbons was a war hero. He has been a congressional hero. He is an American hero. In the delicate nature of the work he performed not everybody may have agreed on every single little issue. But never, ever was the integrity, the direction, the focus of which he pursued his endeavors ever questioned. No one has been more respected. I am glad that I am in a position to have an opportunity to speak on this and to have played a part in it. I want to thank the gentleman, Mr. Gilchrest, and the Republicans. I want to also notify the Members of the House that this enacting and enabling legislation has a date of January 3, 1997, because Mr. Gibbons is still a powerful seated Member of this Congress and we are so proud to have him. I just want to say personally on behalf of myself, all the Members from our committee, the entire Democrat caucus and everyone who has worked in this House who knows this man that Tampa will be a much more graceful and elegant place with the naming of this building.”