Political Quotes

“I thank my friend for yielding. With a sense of real mixed emotions, I join this discussion tonight, certainly with gratitude and pride for Barry's 33 years of service but also for a real sense of regret that he will not be a part of our everyday lives and work the way he has been for all these years. The House is very often a very chaotic and noisy place. The bell rings, and hundreds of people descend upon the floor. They all have their demands. They all have their ideas. They all have their needs. In that sea of chaos, you look for a person who stands tall and strong and is unflappable no matter what. Barry, for all of us, for all those years, you have been one of those people. Nothing flusters Barry Sullivan. There is no problem too great. There is no controversy too bitter. He is always the same optimistic, friendly, honest, cheerful, strong person, no matter what. And your strength has been an inspiration to all of us. When you know from whence Barry comes, his strength is easy to understand. I did not have the privilege of sharing the heritage that he has from Boston, but I know his family very, very well. I know that his beloved father-in-law, former Representative Bill Hughes, Ambassador Bill Hughes, served here. Perhaps his greatest gift was Barbara. I think that is probably the reason Barry stayed in Washington, because he met her, and they started a beautiful life together.…”