Political Quotes

“it is an honor for me to take part in this tribute for our dear former Speaker, Thomas P. ``Tip'' O'Neill, who died just as the new year began. That news was a sad ending to the holiday season for many of us. I would like to thank Chairman Joe Moakley for reserving this time for us to honor Speaker O'Neill's memory. I did not have the pleasure of serving here in the House under Speaker O'Neill, but I can say that I was able to benefit from his advice and counsel in the years that I knew him. We spent time together at many Massachusetts functions over the past 5 years and I was truly touched by the interest he took in me and my progress as a new Member of Congress. Speaker O'Neill was well-known for his story-telling ability. I found that when he recounted an incident from his career or something that happened here on the Hill, there was always a lesson to be learned. His stories were warm and full of humanity, much like the man himself. I do not have many pictures up on the walls of my office, but one I treasure is Speaker O'Neill greeting me with big smile and a hug. We hear so much today about what a chore politics has become. Elected officials are ``disillusioned'' and the public has ``lost faith'' are just two of the phrases we hear over and over. That was not the case with Tip O'Neill. He truly enjoyed the business of politics.”