[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 105 (Wednesday, August 2, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1625-E1626]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING FORMER MEMBER OF CONGRESS THOMAS J. MANTON

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. MAJOR R. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 24, 2006

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to add my sentiments to the 
words that have been spoken already. I associate myself with the 
remarks that have been made about Tom Manton.
  Tom Manton was a political leader in an adjacent county, the Borough 
of Queens. In the Borough of Brooklyn we had what we call a first-rate 
political machine, and in view of the fact that we have been discussing 
power-sharing and the Voting Rights Act, I remember dramatically seeing 
the difference between Brooklyn and Queens.
  As a leader in Queens, Tom Manton believed in power-sharing. 
Minorities did not have to fight to get what they deserved in Queens. 
Harmony was not established only after a big battle was waged and the 
spoils were settled. In Brooklyn we had to battle for everything. We 
had to fight all the way.

[[Page E1626]]

  Tom Manton was a political boss. He was the head of a machine. But he 
gave new meaning to the word machine and being a boss. A conciliator, a 
mediator, a guy who made things happen as he took this diverse, rapidly 
growing borough; rapidly growing in terms of diverse population, and he 
wove it altogether without bitter fights and without leaving a lot of 
blood in the aisles.
  So I take my hat off to Tom Manton and the kind of example he set. 
Several of my colleagues have said that Tom embodied ``the American 
dream.'' Yes, he did. But the totality of his achievements cannot be 
contained in even that sought-after tribute. This ordinary American 
with his extraordinary ability to appeal to the best parts of human 
nature gifted Ireland, the land of his ancestors, with a lasting peace 
by facilitating the Good Friday Accords. Throughout his life Tom 
encouraged political solutions to contentious issues--not violence, 
fear or isolation.
  Tom Manton fought hard for his constituents, often greasing the 
wheels of the bureaucracy to help them out. Elected officials and 
public leaders also received his invaluable support and guidance. He 
shared a workingman's outlook because he was a workingman: a policeman, 
a salesman, and Marine. He cared for the environment and recognized 
that protecting the air and water would protect communities. He was a 
thinker and a farsighted activist for a better world.
  In Tom's sensible hands, politics might be partisan, but could never 
be called ``dirty.'' In his capable hands, the New Yorkers who 
unfailingly voted him into Congress were confident of fair thoughtful 
representation. They knew--regardless of race, gender, or background--
they were welcome at any table where he presided. He had a beautiful 
vision of what a community should be, a party, a country, a world. He 
was a loyal friend to many and a much-loved family man. He will be 
missed, but his life and his contributions will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________