CONGRESSIONAL RECORD— Extensions of Remarks E2118 HON
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E2118 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks October 29, 1997 was commissioned a second lieutenant of CONGRATULATIONS TO THE mired them for all that they have meant to our armor in the U.S. Army Reserve on October FLORIDA MARLINS community. We first met Dick's wonderful par- 20, 1968. ents in the summer of 1950. Although they Over the course of his career, Colonel HON. PETER DEUTSCH were part of San Francisco's social and busi- ness elite, and we were just a young couple McGill served in a variety of exceptionally OF FLORIDA in the academic community, they enthusiasti- challenging troop and staff assignments in IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES cally accepted our invitation for dinner at our Vietnam, Korea, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and the Wednesday, October 29, 1997 tiny and modest apartment. Dick's late father, United States. After completing aviation train- Mr. DEUTSCH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Ben Swig, made one of his very last public ap- ing at Hunter Army Airfield, GA, Dan McGill congratulate the Florida Marlins for having pearances at the wedding of our younger deployed to the Republic of Vietnam where he won the 1997 World Series Championship. daughter, Katrina, in the summer of 1980. served as a Cobra gunship section com- Created by Wayne Huizenga, administered by Dick first set foot in San Francisco over half mander and as the Headquarters Company Don Smiley, built by Dave Dombrowski, and a century ago. After serving in the Navy during Executive Officer in the Mekong Delta for 15 managed by Jim Leyland, this young team World War II, the Massachusetts-born Swig months. For his achievements during combat achieved the top honor, to which 28 teams as- moved to the west coast to begin a career then-Lieutenant McGill was awarded the Dis- pire, in just 5 years. By reaching the World with the Fairmont Hotel, which his family had tinguished Flying Cross and 37 awards of the Series in record time, the Florida Marlins is purchased a few years earlier. Dick spent sev- Air Medal. After completing his combat tour, the youngest franchise ever to win the World eral years learning about every facet of the Dan then served with the Army's elite 82d Air- Series and has thus assured itself a place in business, working in management, publicity, borne Division for the next 3 years. history. and service-oriented positions. In 1953, at the After attending the Armor Officer Advance Before this season, the Florida Marlins had age of 27, he became the hotel's president. For over four decades, Dick's leadership Course, Dan returned to Fort Bragg, where he never been in the playoffs. Throughout the made the Fairmont the model of luxurious once again served with the 82d. He had the 1997 division series, however, they never trailed in games won. They initiated their quest hospitality and one of the most highly re- distinction of commanding two different cavalry by overpowering the San Francisco Giants garded hotels in America. World leaders, fa- troops for a total of 3 years. The length of Dan and then went on to win the National League mous celebrities, and San Francisco visitors McGill's command time is a reflection of his championship series by upsetting the Atlanta with an eye for excellence would call the Fair- extraordinary ability to lead soldiers. Braves. Then, in a dramatic, extra-inning, sev- mont home during their visits to the bay area. Colonel McGill's potential for increased re- enth game, they defeated the Cleveland Indi- The hotel's unqualified success spawned six sponsibility was rewarded with selection for ans to become the 1997 World Series Cham- similarly elegant hotels across the country, in and attendance at the Army Command and pions. Within 5 years, the Flordia Marlins at- New York, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, tained a monumental goal that has historically Dallas, and San Jose. Dick demanded the KS. Dan continued his service in a series of taken championship teams decades to accom- same levels of superiority and class at these challenging assignments following his gradua- plish. establishments as he did at his San Francisco tion from Fort Leavenworth. First, he spent 2 The players who accomplished this feat are: flagship, and they realized the same degree of years in South Korea in a joint assignment as Kurt Abbott, Moises Alou, Antonio Alfonseca, achievement. a personnel officer and then he returned to the Alex Arias, Bobby Bonilla, Kevin Brown, John Said his son Rick: ``His legacy both to the United States to serve in the Pentagon as a Cangelosi, Jeff Conine, Dennis Cook, Craig Fairmont, a company he dearly loved, and as staff officer in the Office of the Chief of Legis- Counsell, Darren Daulton, Jim Eisenreich, a hotelier in general, is inestimable. His lative Liaison. Alex Fernandez, Cliff Floyd, Felix Heredia, management style was inspired not only by Livan Hernandez, Charles Johnson, Al Leiter, great care and attention to hotel guests, but Dan McGill then had the distinction of being Kurt Miller, Robb Nen, Kirt Ojala, Jay Powell, also the extraordinary recognition of his hotel selected for battalion command and returned Edgar Renteria, Tony Saunders, Gary Shef- staff. In the days of independently owned lux- to Fort Bragg to serve as the commander of field, Rob Stanifer, Ed Vosberg, John Wehner, ury hotels . he set standards for us all.'' the 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, in the 82d Air- Devon White, and Greg Zaun. Their coaches Upon his death, the Fairmont flags flew at borne Division. This cavalry squadron is the are: Rich Donnelly, Bruce Kimm, Jerry half-staff. So did every other flag on ever other eyes and ears of the All-American Division. Manuel, Milt May, Larry Rothschild, and San Francisco building, per the order of Mayor Through sustained superior performance Colo- Tommy Sandt. Willie Brown. This tribute reflects the scope of nel McGill once again proved he had an un- The Marlins' victory was a victory for all Flo- Dick's contributions, which extended well be- surpassed ability to lead the world's finest sol- ridians. In a community as diverse as ours, yond the Fairmont to the entire bay area com- diers. He commanded in magnificent fashion. people from different backgrounds have united munity and humanitarian concerns around the After graduation from the Army War Col- in their admiration and pride for our baseball world. Dick Swig, along with his equally dedicated lege, Colonel McGill served on the III Corps team. I applaud the athletic prowess of these men and commend the dedicated efforts of wife Cissie, devoted a large portion of his life Staff until he once again assumed his natural to serving the bay area and to fighting for role of a leader of soldiers. He assumed com- their coaches and manager. I know that the Florida Marlins will continue to give Floridians compassionate causes that he cared so much mand of the 1st Cavalry Division's Aviation a spirit of unity and strength in years to come about. He served as trustee, chairman, or Brigade at Fort Hood, TX. Dan performed and look forward to another championship board member of more than 40 charitable, magnificently as a brigade commander and season in 1998. professional, and educational institutions, during this time served our Nation in combat f ranging from the Leukemia Society of America for a second time, in the Persian Gulf. to the San Francisco Symphony Association to Following the brigade command, Col. McGill TRIBUTE TO RICHARD L. SWIG the San Francisco Convention and Visitors returned to Korea to serve as the Chief of Bureau, of which he served as president. Staff of 8th U.S. Army. He culminated his HON. TOM LANTOS Dick assumed a particularly strong leader- service to the Nation as military deputy to the OF CALIFORNIA ship role in the Jewish community, both in the Army's Chief of Legislative Liaison and as the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES bay area and nationally, and he worked tire- lessly for humanitarian and charitable groups staff director of the Vietnam Commando's Wednesday, October 29, 1997 Commission. that fought discrimination, educated the public, Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to and served the interests of the community. Colonel Dan McGill has distinguished him- pay tribute to the life of Richard L. Swig, who These organizations included the Anti-Defa- self as a leader during a remarkable career of passed away on September 25, 1997, at the mation League of B'nai B'rith, the Jewish service to our Nation. He has continuously dis- age of 72. Dick was a universally respected Community Federation, the Jewish Museum of played the professionalism, integrity, and de- San Francisco businessman, a dedicated phi- San Francisco, and numerous others. pendability our country has come to expect lanthropist, and a devoted community leader Dick received many distinguished honors for from its Army officers. He has answered the in the bay area. his philanthropic work, including the pres- call of service unwaveringly and our heartfelt Mr. Speaker, I have known Dick, Cissie, and tigious Mahatma Gandhi Humanitarian Award, appreciation and best wishes for the future go the whole Swig family for almost 50 years, the Golda Meir Award, the U.S. Coast Guard's with him as he prepares for his next endeavor. and my wife Annette and I have loved and ad- Distinguished Public Service Award, and the October 29, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD Ð Extensions of Remarks E2119 City College of San Francisco President's getic activist as well as a local and national October 29, 1997, into the CONGRESSIONAL Award.