Ed Markey: “I appreciate having this time in order to speak about our great beloved, departed colleague from the State of…”

“I appreciate having this time in order to speak about our great beloved, departed colleague from the State of Massachusetts, Edward Patrick Boland. He served in this institution for 36 years. He was elected in 1952; he served until 1988. He loved this institution, and this institution loved him. He arrived in 1952, with his best pal, Tip O'Neill, another freshman Congressman coming from the eastern part of the State. They were roommates for 24 years here in Washington, really only staying here on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and immediately returning to their home districts after the close of business on Thursdays. And that is how it went in their little apartment over all those years until Tip was elected Speaker and brought Millie down. However, it had been preceded just a couple of years before that by Eddie breaking his long years of bachelorhood and marrying Mary Egan, a marriage that produced four beautiful children that were, without question, the pride and joy of his life. Now, for those that knew Eddie, he still and for always will be thought of as a legislative giant, as someone who motored around on the floor of the House like the Energizer Bunny, moving at the speed of sound from deal to deal to deal to deal as he worked his legislative magic. And whether the Member was Democrat or Republican, Eddie Boland was universally respected.”