Gerald Kleczka: “I would like to take a few moments to pay my respects to the late Thomas P. ``Tip'' O'Neill. As a Member of the House…”

“I would like to take a few moments to pay my respects to the late Thomas P. ``Tip'' O'Neill. As a Member of the House who had the honor of being sworn in by Speaker O'Neill, I have always had a special fondness and respect for him, and it was with great sadness that I made the trip up to Boston a few weeks ago to say goodbye. Over the past few weeks, many kind words have been spoken and written about Tip. It is no secret what his strengths and weaknesses were, but the real secret may be the secret of his success. In an era of sound-biten, telegenic politics, Tip O'Neill rose to power with his big frame, his gray hair, and his cigar in full view. He was not an eloquent orator, but you knew where he stood on the issues; and that was frequently ahead of the pack and not behind focus groups and public opinion polls. His politics were motivated by his deep concern for the people, and how the policies of this country would affect them. In spite of his power and fame, he never forgot his roots, never forgot who and what got him here. The secret of his success was that Tip O'Neill never stopped being himself, never stopped being real, and that is the lesson for us all.”