Anna Eshoo: “although I did not have the privilege to serve in the House of Representatives with Speaker ``Tip'' O'Neill, I reserve a…”

“although I did not have the privilege to serve in the House of Representatives with Speaker ``Tip'' O'Neill, I reserve a special place in my heart for the memory of this great man and extraordinary leader. Speaker O'Neill had a deep and clear understanding of what it meant to be a Representative. He loved this institution and made it a better place. More important, he loved America and did everything in his power to make it a better place for all of us. Throughout his tenure as a Member of Congress and as the Speaker, he held true to the belief that every American should have the opportunity to get an education, buy a home, and have a decent job. He was compassionate and caring, yet fully understood the reality of politics, which includes vigorous give and take. Having come to the House from a long tenure in local government myself, his famous quote, ``All politics is local,'' endeared him to me even more. What made him such a great public servant is the humble understanding that no matter how high you rise in public office, the true test of your achievements still lies in what you have accomplished at home for the people we are privileged to represent. I believe ``Tip'' O'Neill was a great man because he was a good man. He genuinely enjoyed people. While he had many political battles, on the day he left the House he had no enemies.”