[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 21 (Wednesday, March 2, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 2, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       FAREWELL ADDRESS TO MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                                 ______


                          HON. RICHARD E. NEAL

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 1994

  Mr. NEAL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my colleagues 
Chairman Richard Moore's farewell address to the Massachusetts House of 
Representatives. Chairman Moore recently left the Massachusetts House 
of Representative to begin his position as the Associate Director of 
FEMA. As did I, I think you will find Chairman Moore's remarks 
extremely eloquent:

       Farwell Address to Massachusetts House of Representatives

                  (By Representative Richard T. Moore)

       For longer than anyone can remember, the Blackstone Valley 
     and Webster regions of this State have been among the most 
     active textile manufacturing areas in the country. Many have 
     heard me speak about the historic Blackstone River, which 
     launched America's ``Industrial Revolution'' two centuries 
     ago. A waterway, lined with dozens of brick and granite 
     mills, that came to be known as the ``hardest working river 
     in America.
       For generations, that river and its mills meant jobs and a 
     way of life for the people who settled there. They came by 
     the thousands: Yankee farmer, Irish, Polish, French-
     Canadians, Italian and other immigrant groups--all drawn by 
     the promise of a new life in a new world. They worked hard, 
     played by the rules, and committed themselves to making a 
     better life for their children.
       The Blackstone River still winds through the villages and 
     farmland of the Blackstone Valley. Many of its mills, having 
     long been silent, still stand as reminders, and perhaps 
     guardians, of a golden age when success was measured, not by 
     wealth or materialism, but by hard work and community pride. 
     These are my roots. And, this is the place I will always call 
     home.
       I took the long way to Boston today--traveling though many 
     of the valley towns I have been honored to represent in this 
     Great and General Court. I passed the mills, factory houses, 
     churches, schools, and village greens. And, as I did, I 
     though of the generations of men and women who were born and 
     raised in those communities. How they worked, married and 
     raised children of their own. How they lived and, yes, how 
     they died. I reflected on their hardships and marveled at 
     their accomplishment.
       Then, as the rural hills of Central Massachusetts faded 
     behind me and the Boston skyline appeared, my thoughts 
     shifted to the state as a whole. And, soon, like every 
     morning of the past 17 years, my eyes caught hold of the 
     shining dome atop this historic building. It's gold leaf, 
     radiant in the morning light--a beacon of democracy that has 
     stood proud on this hill for more than two centuries.
       And you and I have been a part of its rich history. For 
     nearly two decades, I have had the privilege of serving here, 
     working here, legislating here. A privilege bestowed on a 
     small but devoted group of people. Entrusted with the 
     responsibility of keeping alive the promise of that great 
     shining dome--caretakers of this treasured beacon of 
     Democracy.
       And, from this ``Beacon Hill,'' we all inevitably come to 
     see a larger picture than the one we brought from home. We 
     see and hear the pressing and sometimes conflicting needs of 
     districts. Districts that, when woven together, form a great 
     tapestry depicting our goals and aspirations, our problems 
     and concerns, our people, our Commonwealth.
       Beacon Hill represents a pinnacle of power to many in our 
     state who seek favors, assistance, or relief. But, we who 
     serve here, receive a daily lesson in the limits of what 
     government can do, of the inevitability of change, and of the 
     challenge of passing on democratic values from one generation 
     to the next.
       As I traveled to the State House today, the last time as a 
     State Representative, my thoughts also turned to another day, 
     which now seems so long ago. January 5th, 1977--the day I 
     arrived in Boston as a newly elected member of this 
     legislature.
       I stood here with 239 colleagues pledging to ``faithfully 
     and impartially perform all the duties incumbent on me as a 
     State Representative.'' It marked the beginning of the last 
     session for a 240 member House of Representatives.
       My proud parents, my wife to be, friends and supporters 
     made the journey with me that day. They were here to witness 
     the beginning of my career in this magnificent Chamber--a 
     career that officially began when House Clerk Wally Mills 
     gavelled the House to order. He introduced the Dean, Michael 
     Paul Feeney of Boston, who had been first elected in 1939--
     four years before my birth.
       The House Chaplain, the late beloved Monsignor George V. 
     Kerr, a man of great personal courage and humility, and who 
     was to officiate at my wedding two years later, intoned the 
     prayerful hope that ``our deliberations of this day and of 
     this session will be enacted with grace of soul, peace of 
     mind, purity of intention, and solemnity of purpose.''
       The 47 members of my freshman class beamed with optimism, 
     as we contemplated the great parliamentary tasks soon to be 
     performed for our constituents and for this Commonwealth.
       The Democratic nominee for Speaker, Thomas W. McGee of 
     Lynn, soundly defeated Francis W. Hatch of Beverly to win his 
     first full term in the Chair.
       In remarks to the members that day, Speaker McGee called on 
     the Legislature to reassert its authority and to adopt 
     legislative veto power over administrative rules and 
     regulations. A call met with a profound disapproval by the 
     editorial scribes of an unnamed Boston newspaper.
       Kevin B. Harrington of Salem was notified in the ``other 
     body'' that we were organized and ready to do the people's 
     business. We then proceeded to spend several frustrating 
     hours being scolded by Thomas H. Colo of Athol for being 
     ``bumps on a stump,'' for concurring in the normally routine 
     procedure of adopting the Rules. But, Rules Reform, having 
     not yet reached the boiling point it would in the historic 
     Speaker's battle of 1984, finally yielded to the demands of 
     new member and their families who had planned celebration 
     lunches at Jimmy's Harborside and other Boston watering 
     holes.
       Forty-seven freshmen shared the excitement of that day in 
     1977. Now, only four will remain in this Chamber--Charles 
     Decas of Wareham, Mary Jeannette Murray of Cohasset, Kevin 
     Porier of North Attleboro and Richard A. Voke of Chelsea.
       Two others--William Keating of Sharon and Michael Morrissey 
     of Quincy--now serve in the Senate, and two others, Paul 
     Cellucci and Joe DeNucci service with distinction in 
     Construction Office.
       The remainder can be found in other government offices: 
     including three mayors, and in the private sector. Four 
     regrettably, are deceased: Bill Mullins, Bob Casey, John 
     Loring and Joe Herman.
       And now, some 9,622 roll calls and 11,017 acts and resolves 
     later, the time has come for me to move on to other 
     challenges. But, my departure is not without mixed emotions, 
     for I truly love this House of Representatives. It is, after 
     all, the branch of government closest to the people--a little 
     too close sometimes, especially when you're about to sit down 
     to dinner.
       It is the governmental institution upon which rests our 
     democracy. As H.L. Mencken observed: ``Democracy is the 
     theory that the common people know what they want, and they 
     deserve to get it good and hard.'' And, throughout my 
     tenure here, this House has not disappointed them in that 
     regard!
       An observer of our democracy once said ``The Legislature 
     will train you to talk; and above all things to listen, with 
     patience, to unlimited quantities of foolish talk.'' I guess 
     that after nearly 17 years in the Legislature, the President 
     thought me well trained for public service in our nation's 
     capitol.
       On the other hand, the President may have been impressed by 
     my record of not being among the more frequent visitors to 
     this podium. You see, I subscribed early in my career to the 
     wisdom of a former Democratic floor leader of this House who 
     counseled members ``Don't write if you can talk--don't talk 
     if you can nod--and don't nod if you can wink.''
       My view of the role of State Representative is one I shared 
     with my first Speaker Tom McGee. He frequently expressed his 
     belief that the job of a legislator should be based on two 
     fundamental principles. That your votes should be based on 
     reason and judgment. Not public opinion. Any, that you should 
     always strive to help people.
       Tom McGee was fond of quoting from Edmund Burke's speech to 
     the electors of Bristol that ``Your representative owes you, 
     not his industry only, but his judgement--and he betrays, 
     instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your 
     opinion.''
       Tom's other quote from the heart, rooted in his working 
     class upbringing, ``If at the end of the day you can say that 
     you've helped one person, you've done a good job, you've had 
     a good day.''
       That's what it's all about. That's why we're here.
       When I entered this House in January of 1977, there was a 
     great deal of excitement and optimism--at least among my 
     fellow Democrats.
       The Democratic Party had returned to national leadership in 
     Washington under the banner of a former southern Government 
     named Jimmy Carter.
       Now, as I leave this House, there is once again great 
     excitement and optimism in Washington as another son of the 
     south, Bill Clinton, serves in the White House.
       There are, of course, some differences between then and 
     now. In my first term, I filed ten bills, including a 
     Constitutional Amendment to limit state mandated programs. It 
     later passed.
       This past year, I sponsored 96 pieces of legislation, 
     including the landmark voter registration reform bill. The 
     budget has grown too--from $4.2 billion, compared to $15.2 
     billion today.
       The national debt has risen from $7 billion to $4 trillion 
     today. Only the legislative salary of $12,688 has failed to 
     grow proportionately. And there's a mindless proposition in 
     the wings to make this job a voluntary one beyond eight years 
     of service.
       Any one of us who serve in public life would not arrive 
     here, or long remain on Beacon Hill without the help, 
     support, friendship and love of so many others. We neither 
     walk nor run for office alone!
       My career in public service has been based on some basic 
     principles that my parents--the late Tom and Helen Moore, 
     taught me years ago. They gave me a respected family name, 
     traditional American values, a strong work ethic and a 
     conscience to know right from wrong.
       They believe in service to others, helping neighbors and 
     community in whatever way possible. That's what government 
     and politics mean to me.
       My wife Joanne, the Speaker of MY house, along with other 
     family members, friends and supporters have helped to sustain 
     me through the victories and the defeats. They have 
     encouraged me to face and meet the challenges of political 
     life.
       My personal staff throughout the years, currently led by 
     Sean Canty, have been, in a real sense, ``part of my 
     family.''
       The staffs of the Committees on State Administration, 
     Taxation and Election Laws that I have chaired, the staffs of 
     the Committees on Ways and Means, Rules, Post Audit, 
     Counties, Public Safety, Personnel, Ethics and Local Affairs 
     on which I've served--indeed the entire staff of the House 
     and Senate have all helped and assisted me in a friendly and 
     competent manner. I thank you all!
       I recall with great fondness and respect the guidance I've 
     received from people like Michael Paul Feeney, Jim Craven, 
     Tony Scibelli, Tom McGee, George Keverian, Charlie Flaherty, 
     Tom Finneran, Bill Saltonstall, Steve Pierce, John Parker, 
     Peter Forman, Bob MacQueen and so many others.
       When I look back on my years in this House, and the 
     countless men and women with whom I've served--members, 
     clerks, court officers, pages and capital police officers--I 
     think often of their friendship, loyalty and of their 
     devotion.
       Most of all, there are the wonderful people in Southern 
     Worcester County. The people of my hometown of Hopedale, who 
     first entrusted me with the Office of Selectmen nearly a 
     quarter century ago.
       And then there are the people of Blackstone, Douglas, 
     Mendon, Millville, Sutton, Uxbridge and Webster who, along 
     with their neighbors from Hopedale, entrusted me with this 
     responsible office--and the rare opportunity to serve them as 
     their State representative.
       And, over the years, they have allowed me to continue their 
     work--re-electing me by wide margins in eight successive 
     state elections. They are the ones who made it all possible. 
     And, I am proud of what we've accomplished together.
       With my appointment by the President of the United States 
     to the position of Associate Director of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency, a new and very challenging 
     opportunity for public service has been extended to me.
       Under the leadership of President Clinton, and its dynamic 
     new Director, James Lee Witt, FEMA has truly become an agency 
     of ``people helping people.''
       My responsibility at FEMA will be to work with other 
     federal agencies, state and local governments, volunteer 
     organizations and the private sector.
       Together we will help people help themselves.
       Together we will strive to make America a safer place, 
     through mitigation, thereby reducing or eliminating the 
     repetitive damage and suffering caused by future natural 
     disasters. And, having been in politics for 25 years, I 
     certainly have seen my share of disaster. And, not all caused 
     by nature.
       Helping people will be the focus of my job at FEMA. That's 
     what I've enjoyed doing most throughout my career. I consider 
     it to be a public servant's most cherished reward.
       My new duties in Washington will enable me to continue that 
     commitment to helping people, while serving our President and 
     this great country. It is high honor and a privilege for me 
     as a public servant and as an American.
       And so, as this son of a place called Hopedale in 
     Massachusetts leaves this great House to join an 
     Administration led by a son of a place called Hope in 
     Arkansas, I do so with a profound respect and affection for 
     the people who sent me here, and indeed for all of the 
     citizens of this Commonwealth.
       Their past support and your enduring friendship will be a 
     continuing source of strength and encouragement as I begin a 
     new and exciting chapter in my life.
       As President Kennedy, who first sparked my interest in 
     politics, said from this very Chamber a generation ago--just 
     days before he departed for Washington:
       ``I carry with me more than fond memories and fast 
     friendships. The enduring qualities of Massachusetts--the 
     common thread woven by the Pilgrim and the Puritan, the 
     fisherman and the farmer, the merchant and the millworker, 
     the Yankee and the immigrant--will not and could not be 
     forgotten in the Nation's Capitol. They are an indelible part 
     of my life, my convictions, my view of the past and my hopes 
     for the future.''
       May God bless each of you and your families.

                          ____________________