1998CRE98A HONORING DAVID SAMSON

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Archive-Name: gov/us/fed/congress/record/1998/feb/04/1998CRE98A
[Congressional Record: February 4, 1998 (Extensions)]
[Page E98]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr04fe98-37]

HONORING DAVID SAMSON

______

HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

of florida

in the house of representatives

Wednesday, February 4, 1998

Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, on December 18, 1997, I had the pleasure of
honoring David Samson at a meeting of the Concerned Citizens of
Northeast Dade. Below is the text of my speech:

Tribute to David Samson

Today I rise to honor a man who has proven himself to be a
true leader in one of the most civic and politically involved
communities in these United States. I am speaking of The
Honorable David Samson, Mayor of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.
When Mr. Samson moved to Florida 25 years ago, he planned to
retire after a successful business career in Chicago. But for
a man like Dave Samson, retirement didn't come easily. He got
involved in his community, became the president of his
condominium, and has held that office for the past 23 years.
I believe he is the longest standing condominium president in
Florida's history. Dave also has been Chairman of the
Citizens Advisory Committee for the Metro-Dade Police
Department Station 6 for the past eight years. To his credit,
he has raised thousand of dollars to assist the police
department and the families of fallen police officers.
For the past 13 years, Dave has been President of one of
the most active and influential civic groups in all of Miami-
Dade County, Concerned Citizens of Northeast Dade. During his
tenure, Dave has improved the quality of life for residents,
most of who are in their golden years. He created the Vial of
Life Program for seniors in emergency situations, created
programs to educate residents on hurricane preparedness,
improved police protection, street lighting, and urged the
formation of a much needed fire rescue unit on the beach.
Under Dave's leadership, this group has also been responsible
for tremendous support in ``getting out the vote''
initiatives for important issues and candidates they felt
were worthy of their support. I have been a beneficiary of
this support and feel that we have an excellent partnership
working on issues that greatly affect this community such as
beach renourishment and seniors' right related to adult-only
condominiums. This outstanding organization is honoring Dave
at a most-deserved affair to pay tribute to him as the
outgoing president. I am proud to be a part of this tribute.
Ladies and Gentlemen, there's still more. At the ripe young
age of 80, Dave Samson led the fight to incorporate his
beautiful area of Sunny Isles Beach and befittingly became
its first mayor. This doesn't surprise those of us who know
Dave personally. He is truly a dynamo and a man filled with
heart. Perhaps the person who knows best is Dave's beautiful
wife of 58 years, Marion. They say behind every great man is
a strong woman. To have endured a lifetime with a man whose
career that just won't quit, I believe Marion deserves a
medal.
On behalf of Emilie and myself, I congratulate Dave on his
many years of dedicated service to Concerned Citizens of
Northeast Dade and to the entire community who has benefited
from all his tireless efforts on their behalf.

____________________