Judge David Sam was the speaker at our May 2010 dinner meeting. David Sam, a son of Romanian parents, was born in Indiana, received his BS degree from Brigham Young University in 1957 and his law degree from the University of Utah in 1960. He was a United States Air Force Captain as a member of the Judge Advocate General from 1061 to 1963. After his military service he held a private practice in central Utah until 1976. He was a Utah district judge from 1976 to 1985. Judge Sam was nominated by President Reagan in 1985 to the United States District Court for the District of Utah. Serving as chief judge until 1999, he now serves in a senior status for the court.
He titled his talk “Freedom is Not Free.” Judge Sam recounted the story of his wife’s father who lost his life when his B-17 was shot down in World War II on March 17, 1945. She was born only three days before this fateful day. He showed us some pictures and documents and read a moving poem commemorating his heroic mission.
Judge Sam arrived at our dinner from the naturalization court. He told us that a Somalian man, shortly after receiving his United States citizenship, declared that if he were receiving his German citizenship, he would still be a Somalian. He similarly declared that if he were receiving his Russian citizenship, he would still be a Somalian. But he then declared, “But today, I am an American!”
David Sam ended his presentation in gratitude, stating that he wishes he could be a member of the Mayflower Society and that perhaps he could be “adopted.” Thank you, Judge Sam, for an inspiring speech.