U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor released the following statement today regarding the death of the honorable Sam Gibbons:

“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.”