Spencer Cox: “It is fitting that we are here paying tribute to someone who is standing with America in tough times... His whole life…”

“It is fitting that we are here paying tribute to someone who is standing with America in tough times... His whole life has been devoted to service to his country. We can see in this unique combination of good manners and high honor on the one hand and toughness and courage on matters of substance on the other hand that in the annealing fire of combat in World War II the gentleman from New York (Mr. Gilman) was tested and found completely capable of taking on the challenges of our country. He was a Staff Sergeant in World War II in the 19th Bomb Group of the 20th Air Force. He flew 35 missions over Japan, and it is during that time that he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross, as my colleague, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Engel), mentioned, in addition the Air Medal with oak leaf clusters. He came home from defending America overseas to defend America at home, working as the Assistant Attorney General of the State of New York.”