[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1609]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING FORMER MEMBER OF CONGRESS THOMAS J. MANTON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2006

  Mr. ACKERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the legacy 
and the record of our distinguished former colleague, Thomas J. Manton, 
a superb public servant who passed away on July 22nd.
  Tom Manton was born on November 3, 1932. In many ways, his birth date 
was symbolic of the man Tom would become. Just as Franklin Delano 
Roosevelt, elected President a few days later, would usher in a new era 
of optimism and faith in the American system, Tom Manton lived a life 
that served as an inspiration to all who believed, and continue to 
believe, in the American Dream.
  A young child during the Depression, Tom Manton was a typical son of 
Irish immigrants, people who came to this country in search of work and 
a better life for their children. In fact, Tom's father, Tom, Sr., was 
a laborer here at the United States Capitol. Surely, as he worked to 
help build the Cannon House Office Building, he must have looked around 
now and then, seen the grandeur of the place, and dreamed that one day, 
his son would work there, not as a laborer, but as an elected 
representative with an office suite in the building. This most American 
of dreams, in fact, came true.
  Tom attended St. Joseph's School in Astoria, Queens, and St. John's 
Prep in Brooklyn; he earned an undergraduate degree and, by going to 
school at night, a law degree from St. John's University. When his 
country needed him, Tom Manton served as a Flight Navigator in the U.S. 
Marine Corps. He then continued to serve his Nation and community by 
becoming a New York City Police Officer.
  In 1970, Tom was elected to the New York City Council, where he 
continued his work to safeguard the welfare of his fellow citizens. He 
would continue in this position for fourteen years. In 1984, Tom seized 
the opportunity to represent his community in the U.S. House of 
Representatives when he won the election to succeed Democratic vice-
presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro.
  Two years later, Tom became the Chairman of the Queens County 
Democratic organization and immediately began the revitalization of the 
local party. Tom took the reins at a time when the party was racked 
with front-page problems and a loss of public trust. Not only did he 
turn the party organization around and bring it back to full health, 
but in doing so, he insisted on making its membership more diverse and 
more reflective of the diversity of our beloved borough of Queens.
  Tom's passion for equality took form in his commitment to helping new 
political leaders of varying ethnic backgrounds achieve impressive 
firsts. He helped elect the first Latino from Queens to the New York 
State Assembly; the first Chinese-American to the City Council; 
the first woman to serve as Borough President; and then the first 
African-American woman to Borough Presidency; he supported the first 
Indian-American and Korean-American District Leaders. These are just a 
few of these achievements.

  As a direct result of the discipline and commitment he brought to 
every task, and the tireless work he put into the party, the Queens 
Democratic Committee is now one of the strongest party organizations in 
the country. Every Democratic candidate for President, going back to 
Michael Dukakis, sought Tom out, knowing that without his support, the 
votes of Queens Democrats would be few and far between.
  As a congressman, Tom was a bull-dog-like advocate for New York's 
interests. He won a seat on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and 
used his influence to bring jobs and opportunity to his constituents. 
He fought for critical improvements in the Superfund program to 
accelerate the cleanup of toxic waste sites. He also took the lead in 
improving the conservation of our Nation's fisheries and ocean 
resources as chairman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries Management. He 
used his experience as a former member of the NYPD to ensure that 
police officers across the Nation--and their families--would receive 
fitting lifetime compensation in the event of permanent job-related 
injuries. He was a Member's Member, constantly working behind the 
scenes to assist his colleagues, helping to rescue stuck legislation, 
or cutting deals that made everyone feel like a winner.
  Having lived the American Dream himself, Tom worked ceaselessly to 
safeguard the opportunity for everyone, native born and immigrant 
alike, to live the American Dream as well. Tom was tough, but Tom was 
fair. And respect for Tom was universal, and went beyond ideology or 
partisan boundaries.

  Tom never forgot his roots. He played a tireless and crucial role in 
helping to bring peace to Northern Ireland. He served as co-chair of 
the bipartisan Irish Caucus. He was selected to be the Grand Marshal of 
the New York City Saint Patrick's Day Parade, something of which I know 
he was proud.
  With Tom Manton's passing, we have lost one of the classic old school 
Irish politicians that New York has sent to Washington to look after 
the interests of ordinary Americans. Tom was a guy who was decent and 
honest. His word and handshake were his bond. Tom worked quietly behind 
the curtain, rather than grandstanding in front of the cameras. Tom was 
a stand-up guy, the real deal.
  When Tom Manton entered Congress in 1985, I had been serving in 
Congress for little more than a year. All of us in the New York 
delegation turned to Tom for advice and guidance. Tom made a difference 
in the lives of everyone who knew him, and his efforts improved this 
country for every one of its citizens.
  My heartfelt condolences go out to Tom's widow, Diane, his children, 
and grandchildren. He loved them dearly and they love him still. Like 
many of my colleagues, I will miss Tom. I will miss his wise counsel 
and his unquenchable passion for our community and its people. America 
and New York have lost a truly good man and a great public servant.

                          ____________________