Sam Gibbons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sam Gibbons
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Florida |
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| In office January 3, 1963 – January 3, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | District created |
| Succeeded by | Jim Davis |
| Constituency | 10th district (1963–67) 6th district (1967–73) 7th district (1973–93) 11th district (1993–97) |
| Member of the Florida State Senate | |
| In office 1959–1962 |
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| Member of the Florida House of Representatives | |
| In office 1953–1958 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Sam Melville Gibbons
January 20, 1920 Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | October 10, 2012 (aged 92) Tampa, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Martha Hanley Betty King Culbreath |
| Education | University of Florida School of Law |
| Profession | Attorney |
Sam Melville Gibbons (January 20, 1920 – October 10, 2012) was an American politician. He was from the state of Florida. Gibbons served in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida State Senate. He also served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented the city of Tampa in Congress for more than 30 years.
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Early Life and Education in Tampa
Sam Gibbons was born in Tampa, Florida, on January 20, 1920. He went to Roosevelt Elementary School. The school's auditorium is now named after him. He later graduated from H. B. Plant High School. There, he was part of JROTC, a program for young people interested in the military.
After high school, he attended the University of Florida. He paused his studies to serve in World War II. After the war, he returned to the University of Florida School of Law. He graduated in 1947 and became a lawyer in Tampa. His family had been lawyers in Tampa for four generations.
Sam Gibbons married Martha Hanley. They had three sons: Clifford Sam, Mark Hanley, and Timothy Melville. After 55 years of marriage, Martha died in 2002. Gibbons later married Betty King Culbreath, a friend who had also recently lost her spouse.
Military Service in World War II
Sam Gibbons joined the United States Army in late 1941. This was after World War II began. He started as a second lieutenant. He became a captain in the 101st Airborne Division. This division is famous for its paratroopers.
D-Day and Normandy Landings
Captain Gibbons took part in D-day on June 6, 1944. He parachuted into France very early that morning. His unit, the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, landed near Carentan.
A week later, German forces attacked near Carentan. Gibbons and his paratroopers fought bravely all day. They held their ground against German tanks. The battle was very tough, and many soldiers were lost. This battle was shown in the TV series Band of Brothers.
After this, the 101st Division returned to England. Gibbons was later given the Bronze Star Medal for his actions in Normandy.
Battle of the Bulge and Beyond
Gibbons and the 101st Airborne Division then helped take the first bridge in Operation Market Garden. This was a big military plan.
In December 1944, his division was sent to Bastogne, Belgium. They had to hold the town against a large German attack. This battle is known as the "Battle of the Bulge." The 101st Division held out even with very few supplies. They famously refused to surrender, saying "Nuts" to the German commander.
The 101st Division then moved into Germany. They even reached Adolf Hitler's Eagle's Nest. Gibbons served until the war ended in Europe. He was promoted to major, but he didn't find out until after he had left the army.
After returning home, he wrote a book about his war experiences called I Was There. In 2004, he received the French Medal of Valor. This was during the 60th anniversary of D-day.
A Career in Politics
Sam Gibbons was a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1953 to 1958. While there, he helped create the University of South Florida. This was a major achievement for education in the state.
He then served in the Florida Senate from 1959 to 1962. He won against the person who held the seat before him.
Serving in the U.S. Congress
In 1962, Gibbons was elected to the United States House of Representatives. This is part of the U.S. Congress. He represented a new district in Tampa. He was reelected 16 times, serving for over 30 years.
He voted for important laws like the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Civil Rights Act of 1968. These laws helped ensure equal rights for all Americans.
Gibbons usually won his elections easily. His district was a strong Democratic area in Florida. He retired in 1997, having never lost an election in 44 years. He supported Jim Davis to take his place.
Leadership in Congress
From 1994 to 1995, Gibbons was the acting chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. This committee handles important issues like taxes and trade. Before that, he led the trade subcommittee. He believed in free trade, which means making it easier for countries to trade goods.
In his last term, he had some strong disagreements with new Republican members of Congress. He felt that Democrats were not being given a fair chance to speak. He once compared their actions to dictatorships, referencing his fight against Nazi Germany in World War II. This showed his strong belief in fair debate.
He retired from office in 1997. The United States Courthouse in Tampa was named in his honor.
Later Years and Passing
Sam Gibbons passed away on October 10, 2012, at the age of 92. He was buried in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park in Tampa.
Images for kids
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Sam Melville Gibbons
