Political Quotes

“I rise to say a few words about Tip O'Neill. Tip left Congress 7 years ago, much longer ago than it seems. It's almost a shock to think about. Measured by a congressional timeframe, 7 years is almost an eternity. Here in the House we get things done, put them behind us, and move on to the next thing--we do it over and over again. The years can seem like a headlong rush with little chance to look back and ruminate. Things change fast while we're immersed in the daily tussle and wrangling our work propels us into. Even between sessions our time and energy is occupied with work back in the home district. When Tip stepped down from the Speaker's chair we said our farewells--and hit the ground running. He had been Speaker for 10 years and had left his indelible mark on this institution, but we still had the work of Congress to do. We didn't look back for long. More than most things could, Tip O'Neill's death stopped us cold. Those still here today who worked with him or against him have their personal memories of the man. As an institution we have his portrait hanging as a memento. There are the accounts and testaments of his career recently published in newspapers and magazines, broadcast on radio and television, and recorded in our own Congressional Record. Sad as it may seem, as time passes all that will remain of the man who we remember so vividly and personally will be these sort of public records.…”