Remembering Paul Gillmor, a Friend and Colleague
September 21, 2007
Dear Friends;
We come here today to honorthe life in service to his state and his country of Congressman PaulGillmor. On behalf of Speaker NancyPelosi, all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and particularly Paul'scolleagues in the Ohio congressional delegation, we offer deepest ourcondolences to his family, dearest Karen, precious children Paul Michael,Conner and David, Linda, Julie, grandchildren and sister Dianne and relatives Brenda,Lucy and Natalie. We thank you for the sacrifices you have made so your lovedone could serve the people of Ohio and the United States.Paul passed from their life serving our country as he prepared to report forduty to fulfill the solemn oath he had taken to defend our Constitution'stimeless values.
Paul Gillmor was content togo about his business in a quiet, methodical way. Paul was a family man, an honorable man, aveteran, and a public servant of high repute. Paul never lost touch with thecommon person. The small town values that made his father successful werealmost second nature to Paul. He neverforgot who he was and where he came from-and that is why he held electiveoffice continuously for more than 40 years. His persevering spirit will endure.
Even at a time when our Housewas wracked by partisanship of historic proportions, Paul was a model ofbipartisan cooperation. He simplyrefused to judge colleagues based on their political affiliation or ideologicalpersuasion. Old Fort, Ohio is not the type of place where onelearns the ways of guerrilla warfare, and Paul refused to engage in thepersonal destruction of colleagues.
I was going to say he was"true blue" but in today's political climate, that is not politically correct. Afavorite son of Ohio, Paul's cooperativespirit held true in Washington. I was honored to work together with Paul onseveral issues of importance to Northern Ohio-making U.S. Route 24 safer, savingthe 180th Fighter Wing at Toledo Express Airport, protecting the National Civilian Marksmanship Program at CampPerry, and, just a week ago, helping the flood victims throughout Northern Ohioas we flew in a Blackhawk helicopter, doors open wide, from Findlay to Bucyrus andback. My last memory of Paul was when we landed, he extended his hand to me tohelp me climb out of the helicopter. What a gentleman, what a gentleman!
His work remainsunfinished. As ranking member of theFinancial Services Committee, Paul was warmly regarded by Chairman BarneyFrank. They were working together to addressthe challenges of the credit crisis when Paul left us.
We as human beings find it sovery, very hard to accept the limits of time on earth. We seek more, surelywith those we love, we try to capture time - we attempt to order it precisely inminutes, in years, on clocks, sundials and Blackberries. Even votes in Congress are timed. On many occasions Paul Gillmor assumed theSpeaker's rostrum and gaveled the final vote tally as the clock ran out. How much he enjoyed that duty.
But try as we may to ordertime, what endures is not time but treasured moments, timeless values with whichwe wrap our lives. Paul's family and all the children know these moments and values: your moments together on Lake Erie, in PortClinton, Tiffin, Columbus,Old Fort and Washington. Your moments sitting on his lap as he as hissmiled over his glasses, and occasionally wrinkled his nose. Your moments telling him your dreams andasking your questions. Your momentsshowing you loved him, as he loved you. Thesepriceless gifts are yours always.
Your father's work wasdemanding and tiring. As a man of means he could led only a personal life. Hechose otherwise. He was a patriot.
The knowledge that Paulbrought to his job will not be easily replaced. The half-century-long record of service to his community, the Fifth CongressionalDistrict, our state, and our nation-service rendered in the Armed Forces, thestate legislature, and the U.S. Congress-will not soon be surpassed.
There were at least two taskshe didn't complete - Port Clinton into the Fifth and being allowed to smoke acigar.
Paul Gillmor was an officerand a gentleman. He was: loving, persevering, humble, generous and patriotic.He was a true public servant. It is withdeep respect that we honor him today.
I ask my colleagues, MinorityLeader John Boehner and Dean of the Ohio Republican delegation, House memberRalph Regula, to join me in presenting to the Gillmor family the main U.S. flagthat was flown at half staff over the East Front of the Capitol at the requestof Speaker Nancy Pelosi on the day of Paul's passing on September 5, 2007,pictured on your program.
We come here today to honorthe life in service to his state and his country of Congressman PaulGillmor. On behalf of Speaker NancyPelosi, all Members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and particularly Paul'scolleagues in the Ohio congressional delegation, we offer deepest ourcondolences to his family, dearest Karen, precious children Paul Michael,Conner and David, Linda, Julie, grandchildren and sister Dianne and relatives Brenda,Lucy and Natalie. We thank you for the sacrifices you have made so your lovedone could serve the people of Ohio and the United States.Paul passed from their life serving our country as he prepared to report forduty to fulfill the solemn oath he had taken to defend our Constitution'stimeless values.
Paul Gillmor was content togo about his business in a quiet, methodical way. Paul was a family man, an honorable man, aveteran, and a public servant of high repute. Paul never lost touch with thecommon person. The small town values that made his father successful werealmost second nature to Paul. He neverforgot who he was and where he came from-and that is why he held electiveoffice continuously for more than 40 years. His persevering spirit will endure.
Even at a time when our Housewas wracked by partisanship of historic proportions, Paul was a model ofbipartisan cooperation. He simplyrefused to judge colleagues based on their political affiliation or ideologicalpersuasion. Old Fort, Ohio is not the type of place where onelearns the ways of guerrilla warfare, and Paul refused to engage in thepersonal destruction of colleagues.
I was going to say he was"true blue" but in today's political climate, that is not politically correct. Afavorite son of Ohio, Paul's cooperativespirit held true in Washington. I was honored to work together with Paul onseveral issues of importance to Northern Ohio-making U.S. Route 24 safer, savingthe 180th Fighter Wing at Toledo Express Airport, protecting the National Civilian Marksmanship Program at CampPerry, and, just a week ago, helping the flood victims throughout Northern Ohioas we flew in a Blackhawk helicopter, doors open wide, from Findlay to Bucyrus andback. My last memory of Paul was when we landed, he extended his hand to me tohelp me climb out of the helicopter. What a gentleman, what a gentleman!
His work remainsunfinished. As ranking member of theFinancial Services Committee, Paul was warmly regarded by Chairman BarneyFrank. They were working together to addressthe challenges of the credit crisis when Paul left us.
We as human beings find it sovery, very hard to accept the limits of time on earth. We seek more, surelywith those we love, we try to capture time - we attempt to order it precisely inminutes, in years, on clocks, sundials and Blackberries. Even votes in Congress are timed. On many occasions Paul Gillmor assumed theSpeaker's rostrum and gaveled the final vote tally as the clock ran out. How much he enjoyed that duty.
But try as we may to ordertime, what endures is not time but treasured moments, timeless values with whichwe wrap our lives. Paul's family and all the children know these moments and values: your moments together on Lake Erie, in PortClinton, Tiffin, Columbus,Old Fort and Washington. Your moments sitting on his lap as he as hissmiled over his glasses, and occasionally wrinkled his nose. Your moments telling him your dreams andasking your questions. Your momentsshowing you loved him, as he loved you. Thesepriceless gifts are yours always.
Your father's work wasdemanding and tiring. As a man of means he could led only a personal life. Hechose otherwise. He was a patriot.
The knowledge that Paulbrought to his job will not be easily replaced. The half-century-long record of service to his community, the Fifth CongressionalDistrict, our state, and our nation-service rendered in the Armed Forces, thestate legislature, and the U.S. Congress-will not soon be surpassed.
There were at least two taskshe didn't complete - Port Clinton into the Fifth and being allowed to smoke acigar.
Paul Gillmor was an officerand a gentleman. He was: loving, persevering, humble, generous and patriotic.He was a true public servant. It is withdeep respect that we honor him today.
I ask my colleagues, MinorityLeader John Boehner and Dean of the Ohio Republican delegation, House memberRalph Regula, to join me in presenting to the Gillmor family the main U.S. flagthat was flown at half staff over the East Front of the Capitol at the requestof Speaker Nancy Pelosi on the day of Paul's passing on September 5, 2007,pictured on your program.