Sam Gibbons, who represented Tampa in Congress from 1962 to 1996, died Wednesday morning in Tampa. He was 92.
Both the Tampa Tribune and the Tampa Bay Times have extensive biographical essays published on their websites that are strongly recommended reads to understand the depth and breadth of his time as a public servant and as a man.
After Gibbons stepped down from Congress in 1996, a spirited three-way Democratic primary took place between Pat Frank, Sandy Freedman and Jim Davis, with Davis defeating Republican Mark Sharpe, and replacing Gibbons as Tampa's representative in D.C. for the next decade.
Although Gibbons never lost an election, he came very close in '94 against Sharpe, as Republicans across the county won so many seats that they ended up taking over the House for the first time in 40 years.
After Jim Davis stepped down in 2006 to run for governor, Kathy Castor won the congressional seat. This morning, she issued this press release upon hearing of Gibbon's passing.
"Sam Gibbons was truly one of Tampa's greatest. He served his country with honor and distinction during World War II, in the state Legislature and in the United States Congress."
"He was a D-Day paratrooper, behind the front lines in Normandy on June 6, 1944. In the state Legislature, he led the effort to create the University of South Florida. In the United States Congress, he looked out for the young and old alike. He was an early backer of Head Start for children, and he was an early supporter of Medicare and hospice care for seniors. As chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, he fought for sound trade policies to propel our nation’s economy and to find peaceful solutions to our world’s troubles. He fought for civil rights for all Americans. His legacy can be felt when our children achieve in our classrooms, when our seniors use Medicare at the doctor’s office, when our loved ones are in hospice care and when students and researchers make a mark on campus at the University of South Florida. Tampa would not be what it is today without the work and dedication of Sam Gibbons."
The sentiments have been bipartisan from those who knew or worked with him. Today, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said, "As a native Tampa resident, I am grateful for his contributions and positive impact on Tampa Bay."
This article appears in Oct 11-17, 2012.