[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 13 (Thursday, February 10, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    A TRIBUTE TO SPEAKER TIP O'NEILL

                                 ______


                               speech of

                       HON.G.V.(SONNY)MONTGOMERY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 8, 1994

  Mr. MONTGOMERY. Mr. Speaker, I want to join my colleagues in paying 
tribute to our former Speaker and friend, Tip O'Neill. Some might think 
it a little unusual that he and I would get along so well since I am 
from the rural South and Tip was from Boston. But the fact is that I do 
not think I had a better friend in Congress than Tip O'Neill.
  He was always there when I needed help, whether it was a problem on 
the Veterans' Affairs Committee or some other issue. Tip was right 
there to offer help in any way he could.
  And he asked me for help, too. Any time Tip had a problem with a 
veteran's case from his district in Massachusetts, he came to me and 
most of the time we were able to work it out.
  I remember back after the general election in 1992, Speaker Foley, 
Beverly Byron, and I were having lunch in the Speaker's Dining Room 
with President Bush. All of a sudden the doors came swinging open and 
in walked Tip. He told Mr. Bush that he had seen his car outside and 
wanted to stop in to say hello. Tip said, ``You ran a bad campaign, Mr. 
President.'' Mr. Bush responded that he did run a good fourth quarter. 
Tip shot back by saying, ``Yes, but it takes four quarters to win!'' 
They were good friends and Mr. Bush even offered Tip the ambassadorship 
to Ireland a few years back, but Tip turned it down.
  It always gave me a good feeling to see Tip on television in recent 
years in commercials and in guest appearances on the network shows. He 
was such a good sport and I know he enjoyed it.
  A poll was taken recently in the South that showed Tip O'Neill was 
one of the most popular and best liked political figures in the 
country. I am glad the public came to see him as so many of us who 
worked with Tip saw him. He was a warm and kind person and I was proud 
to call him my friend.

                          ____________________