[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 22, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8810-S8811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RETIREMENT FROM CONGRESS OF REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS J. MANTON

 Mr. MOYNIHAN. Mr. President, yesterday, a dear friend and 
colleague, Representative Thomas J. Manton, announced his intention to 
retire at the end of the 105th Congress, saying, ``I have worked for 
the citizens of this Nation, New York City, and Queens for most of my 
adult life.'' Indeed he has. Fourteen years as a Member of Congress. 
Fifteen years before that as a member of the New York City Council. 
Five years as an officer in the New York City Police Department. And 
two years as a Marine Corps flight navigator on active duty during 
Korea.
  His departure is bittersweet for me. I take solace from the fact that 
he will continue to chair the Queens County Democratic Organization, a 
post he has held with honor and distinction for the past twelve years. 
And I am happy that he and his wife Diane will have more time ``to 
enjoy life and travel,'' as he put it; to enjoy his four children and--
as of July 5th--his four grandchildren. But we here will miss his calm 
and steady demeanor, and his unwavering commitment to ``moderate 
government,'' which is, as Alexander Hamilton observed, the font of 
real liberty.
  For the most part, I will leave it to others to recite his 
legislative accomplishments, which are legion. But I would highlight 
his service as co-chairman of the Congressional Ad-Hoc Committee on 
Irish Affairs. The bi-partisan Ad-Hoc Committee was established in 1977 
to promote peace and justice in Northern Ireland. His interest is 
natural, for both his parents were Irish immigrants. The task, of 
course, enormous. But under Tom's steady leadership, the Ad-Hoc 
Committee made possible implementation of the McBride Principles. And 
the Ad-Hoc Committee had a huge role in this year's Good Friday Irish 
Peace Accord. Few men or women have had such positive effect in such a 
devastated and forlorn part of the world.
  Horace remarked that ``We rarely find anyone . . . who, content with 
his

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 life, can retire from the world like a satisfied guest.'' Tom Manton 
is the rare individual who can retire from Congress like a ``satisfied 
guest.'' Godspeed, dear friend.

                          ____________________