John Joseph Moakley: “I rise today to honor my dear friend, former Speaker Tip O'Neill. I commend Chairman Rose, a close friend of Tip's, for…”

“I rise today to honor my dear friend, former Speaker Tip O'Neill. I commend Chairman Rose, a close friend of Tip's, for his resolution designating the year 1994 as a year to remember the life and leadership of the former speaker. Tip O'Neill was a vastly talented legislator, but his greatness stemmed from the fact that he never forgot where he came from, and more importantly, who sent him to Congress. To him, Mrs. Sullivan's family down the street was always just as important as his greatest achievements in Congress. He treated everyone he met the same way, regardless of their wealth, power or status. Tip always lived by the same credo: He believed the effectiveness of a government is measured by the way it treats those who are most vulnerable--the poor, the children, and the elderly. For Tip, the purpose of Government was to improve the quality of life of all citizens. Through every part of his life, he never forgot the people that didn't have a voice--the common man, the local shopkeeper and the family next door. Fighting for their rights is why he chose public service.”