Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, Mr. Capuano represents a famous area of America, south Boston, a wonderful area of our country. As every Member of this House knows, we who serve here in the Chamber rely on an outstanding group of professionals who manage the floor and the party cloakrooms. This is true for both Democrats and Republicans. On the Democratic side, we have been incredibly fortunate to have been served with great ability by a devoted public servant with a wonderful sense of humor, a sense of this House, a sense of history, a sense of decency, and a sense of how to help Members greatly. He has managed our cloakroom for the past 33 years. That man, devoted to the smooth running of the people's House day in and day out, is Barry Sullivan. As he prepares to retire from service, I want to join not only those from Massachusetts who are justifiably very proud of him as a brother from their own State, but also all of those in the House on both sides of the aisle, but particularly on our side of the aisle, who have been advantaged by his service, by his good humor, and by his caring. Barry, a native of south Boston, first came to Washington in 1980 to work for the Sergeant at Arms as a doorkeeper. In 1987, Tip O'Neill appointed him to manage the Democratic cloakroom, and he has been reappointed ever since. Barry had grown up around politics; and his father, Leo Sullivan, had been a Massachusetts State senator and a Boston police commissioner.…”