Benjamin Gilman: “it is my sad duty to rise to pay tribute to an outstanding colleague and a dear friend who regrettably has decided to…”

“it is my sad duty to rise to pay tribute to an outstanding colleague and a dear friend who regrettably has decided to depart this body after a fourteen year record of outstanding public service to his Congressional District and to our nation. Tom Manton first came to Congress unexpectedly 14 years ago. I say ``unexpectedly'' because no one had anticipated only a few months earlier that his own Member of Congress, our former colleague and my former constituent, Ms. Ferraro, would be nominated for the Vice Presidency. However, when Ms. Ferraro stepped into the national spotlight, Tom was more than ready to take her place in this chamber, having already accumulated 14 years experience on the New York City Council, and a successful career as a practicing attorney. In the House, Tom gained recognition not only for his dedication to diligent work but also for his concern regarding those issues of deep concern to him. As a fellow co-chair of the House Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, I became familiar first hand with Tom's deep concern for the cause of justice and peace in the north of Ireland, and his commitment to human rights. Tom is one of those individuals who grasps instinctively that any threat to the human rights to any people anywhere is a threat to the human rights of all of us.”