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Who Said That?

"Nothing’s permanent in the Florida sand."

-- Former U.S. congressman and Florida legislator Sam Gibbons

On Oct. 5, five days before he died, Sam Gibbons was interviewed by Florida Trend’s Art Levy. Gibbons, dealing with balance problems, sat in a wheelchair, but was otherwise strong and energetic during the nearly two-hour session. He spoke about growing up in Tampa, his role in the 1944 D-Day invasion, his friendship with John Kennedy and his career in public service, which included 34 years in the U.S. Congress and 10 years in the Florida Legislature. Gibbons said he was happy and his only regrets weren’t big enough to even talk about. “I don’t have anything to cry about,” he said. “The only thing I worry about is tomorrow.”

» Full Profile of Florida Icon Sam Gibbons