Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce now for comments about Mr. Sullivan a person who shared the same mentor in many respects, a person that we all admire so greatly, that is the late Congressman Joseph Moakley, I would like to yield to the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. McGovern). Mr. McGOVERN. I want to thank my colleague from Massachusetts. It is a real privilege to be here with my colleagues to honor Barry Sullivan. And when I heard about his retirement, I couldn't help but think that this is the end of an era. As my colleague Bill Keating mentioned, both Barry and I came here under the mentorship of a great man, Joe Moakley, who understood what public service meant in the best tradition. And I think one of the things that I admire about Barry is that he has been a public servant in the highest tradition. He has been the go-to guy for everything and anything. You know, a lot of people don't understand who don't work here about all the people who kind of work behind the scenes, who work longer hours than we do, and Barry is amongst that group of people, always here, early mornings, late nights, separated from his family at times when we couldn't get our act together here in the Congress. He has just been incredible. So we are going to miss you, Barry, for a whole bunch of reasons, and I am going to miss you also because of your friendship. You and Barbara have been great friends to Lisa and me.…”