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 January 5, 2016

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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks

EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS CONGRATULATING PEGGY SAMPSON

HON. PAUL D. RYAN OF WISCONSIN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Mr. RYAN of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Peggy Sampson on her retirement after 37 years of working for the House. She has dedicated her life to public service. She started her career as a Capitol police officer. Later, she became the Republican supervisor of the House page program, a position she held for 25 years. In that time, she was beloved by the pages who worked for her. Today, there are hundreds of former pages all over the world who still keep in touch. I learned a lot from my mentors when I was starting out. I know the meaning they have in young people’s lives. For hundreds of young people, Peggy was that mentor. And for the dozens of people she worked with every day, she was a great friend. In 2011, she became a floor operations clerk and has been there ever since. Ask any of her colleagues, and they will tell you she was completely reliable. It did not matter if you were a high-ranking member of Congress or a freshfaced intern, everyone could depend on her for everything you could think of: a piece of candy, band aids, Tylenol. And in a pinch, she could sew a mean button. In short, she was a delight to work with—very kind and generous. We will miss her dearly. And so, on behalf of the entire House, I want to thank Peggy Sampson for reminding us, through her work, of the joy of public service. f

TRIBUTE TO STEIN ERIKSEN

HON. JASON CHAFFETZ OF UTAH

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IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Mr. CHAFFETZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an Olympic gold medalist, pioneering athlete and legendary skiing ambassador who had an immeasurable impact on the sport and on the State of Utah. Stein Eriksen passed away December 27 at the age of 88 following a long and storied career. For 35 years, Eriksen served as the Director of Skiing at Utah’s famed Deer Valley Resort, where the renowned Stein Eriksen Lodge was named in his honor. His ski career began in 1947 when the 19year-old Norwegian athlete won the downhill and combination event at the Holmenkollen Kandahar event. At the 1952 Oslo Olympics in his hometown, Eriksen became the first skier from a non-Alpine country to win an Olympic gold medal in Alpine skiing. Most significantly, Eriksen was the first man to win three gold medals in a single world championship in 1954. Upon his retirement from competitive skiing in 1954, Eriksen continued to shape the sport

as a ski instructor and promoter of a new style of skiing. His elegant technique and gymnastic movements were transformative for the skiing world, ushering in a new era of freestyle skiing. He was the first well-known skier to do a flip on skis and reportedly did a back flip every day until he reached his 80s. Eriksen was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Utah Sports Commission in April, where he was lauded as one of the most influential athletes and businessmen in winter sports. Eriksen and his wife Francoise were the parents of 5 children. Today, I ask all Members of Congress to join me as we honor the life and legacy of skiing pioneer Stein Eriksen, whose indelible impact on winter sports will be felt by many generations to come. f

HONORING THE LIFE OF SALVATORE ‘‘SAM’’ TRAFICANTI

HON. TIM RYAN OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Salvatore ‘‘Sam’’ Traficanti. Born on August 11th, 1928, in Marane, province de L’Aquila, Abruzzi, Italy, Sam was the son of Panfilo and Incornada (Centofanti) Traficanti. At the age of eight years old, Sam, along with his mother, took the journey from Italy and came to Ellis Island. Upon moving to America Sam and his family settled in Struthers and then later moved to Poland, Ohio. Sam attended Struthers High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 14, 1946, to serve and defend our country aboard Aircraft Carrier, USS Midway. He earned the rank of third class petty officer and during World War II was an interpreter for American forces in Naples, Italy. While aboard the USS Midway, Sam served as an electrician and was a Motion Picture operator. Sam was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal for his service and then received an honorable discharge on March 24, 1948. After his discharge from the service, Sam was employed at Youngstown Cartridge. He then owned and operated two city service gas stations in the Struthers area, along with founding one of the largest trucking companies within the industry, which was Traficanti Trucking for many years. As always, with his entrepreneurial spirit, Sam looked to continue to grow and became co-owner and partner of B & T Express Inc. which operates in over 48 states. Sam leaves behind his wife of over 52 years, the former Barbara Ann Jenness, whom he married on May 29, 1963; a son, Commissioner Anthony T. Traficanti; and a daughter, Jacqueline Ann Traficanti, both of Poland. Besides his parents, Sam was preceded in death by a brother, Tony Traficanti; and his uncles, Atillio (Joann), Serfino and Lorenzo Centofanti.

Sam lived the American Dream in every way imaginable. His entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to service not only strengthened Northeast Ohio, but the entire country. Sam will be missed, but I, along with the rest of our community, remain thankful for his many contributions. f

HONORING THE LIFE AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF WILLIAM EARL ‘‘GATOR’’ FARRINGTON

HON. JEFF MILLER OF FLORIDA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 5, 2016 Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I rise today to recognize the life and service of my friend, Northwest Florida’s beloved William Earl ‘‘Gator’’ Farrington. Throughout his long and distinguished life, Gator was a devoted family man, a patriotic veteran, committed community leader, successful small businessman, and a true friend. The entire Northwest Florida community mourns the passing of a truly remarkable man. Earl Farrington was born on Tuesday, April 5th, 1927. He and his twin sister, Earline, were the youngest of three children born to James and Laura Farrington. During his formative years, Earl was spotted at the tender age of thirteen dragging from a lake a five-foot alligator he had shot. He was dubbed ‘‘Gator’’ on the spot and being somewhat of a comedian ‘‘Gator’’ has worn his nickname with great joviality, good cheer, and eternal optimism. Gator graduated from Milton High School in 1944 and served in World War II and the Korean War in the U.S. Navy. After 30 years he retired from civil service at NAS Pensacola in 1984. He was one of the founding members of Grace Bible Church of Milton and served on the board of directors of Gospel Projects, Inc. Gator is preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Voncille (Hobbs) Farrington; his two sisters, Louise McLellan and Earline Tompkins; and his parents, James Farrington and Laura (Broxson) Farrington. Gator loved serving his community with his family through his restaurant, Gator’s Seafood in Milton, Florida, which he opened in 1975, with Voncille. The rustic building known as Gator’s was constructed from juniper logs felled by Gator and his then 75-year-old father off their land, floated by the two across the lake, and cut into lumber by a small sawmill. Gator’s quickly became popular for its fresh seafood, family friendly environment, and impeccable service. The restaurant has become world famous for its fresh and perfectly prepared fried mullet, which many in Northwest Florida consider a delicacy. The summer months attracted large crowds to the restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights, not only for the fried mullet and catfish, crab claws, cheese grits, cole slaw and

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate Sep 11 2014

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