Nick Rahall: “I rise in both sorrow and celebration to pay tribute to a life well lived by John Joseph Moakley, a man who died with…”

“I rise in both sorrow and celebration to pay tribute to a life well lived by John Joseph Moakley, a man who died with the voices of his friends and colleagues raised in his praise. We prayed even as we knew better, that God would let him stay with us, because this House needs men like Joe Moakley. We need his spirit, his courage, and his strength of purpose that kept him in public service for so many years. But God needed Joe more. Joe Moakley was to die as he had lived: in the service of his people right up to the end. I will not forget the way in which he let us know that he had not much longer to dwell among us. He said: "My doctor told me not to buy any green bananas." Who but Joe would have had the courage and the wit to thus announce his imminent leave-taking from the House and from the world. Joe was leaving the place where he spent so many years in tender service to the people of south Boston--the people he loved and respected all the days of his life. Joe Moakley's natural sense of humor was well known, often bringing laughter to bear against the times his colleagues despaired of compromise or consensus. But Joe didn't just serve the people of south Boston--although he would tell you they came first. He served the entire Nation as he upheld the Constitution he swore he would uphold on behalf of people's rights, working long hours in Washington, and even longer hours spent among his constituents against poverty of body and soul.”