[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 57 (Thursday, April 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E586-E587]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DESIGNATING THE SALT POND VISITOR CENTER AT CAPE COD NATIONAL SEASHORE 
   AS THE ``TIP O'NEILL, JR. SALT POND VISITOR CENTER'' STATEMENT OF 
                              INTRODUCTION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 19, 2012

  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill renaming 
the Salt Pond Visitor Center at Cape Cod National Seashore as the 
``Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. Salt Pond Visitor Center.'' I am proud to be 
joined by the entire Massachusetts delegation in the House of 
Representatives, who are original co-sponsors of this legislation, 
along with Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, who has been the greatest 
Speaker of the House since the legendary Tip O'Neill. Senator John 
Kerry (D MA) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
  This year, on December 9th, Tip would have celebrated his 100th 
birthday. Tip lived a life dedicated to public service and lifting up 
the disadvantaged in society, beginning with his election to the 
Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1936. In 1949, Tip became the 
first Democratic Speaker in the history of the Massachusetts State 
Legislature, serving as Speaker until 1952, when he ran successfully 
for the United States House of Representatives to fill the seat vacated 
by Senator-elect John F. Kennedy.
  Many of us here who served with Tip remember his warmth, his magnetic 
personality, and his unyielding support for working families and the 
middle class. When I was elected to

[[Page E587]]

the House, the very first vote I cast was the vote to elect Tip O'Neill 
Speaker of the House in 1977. I had the honor of serving with Tip for 
ten years--his entire tenure as Speaker, which was the longest 
continuous term of any Speaker since the first Congress met in 1789.
  Tip served in public life for 50 years, including 34 years as a 
Member of Congress. As Speaker, Tip worked with both Democrats and 
Republicans as a champion of working families. He was a master 
legislator who dedicated his entire life to Massachusetts and our 
country. Tip found joy in rebuilding communities, restoring 
neighborhoods, and helping families get back on their feet. He never 
tired of helping the middle class, helping students with student loans, 
and protecting the hard-earned benefits of seniors. Tip was an 
incredibly insightful public servant with a spirit of service who truly 
enjoyed the work of the American people.
  The squawking of politicians in Washington may have been Tip's 
weekday passion, but the squawking of birds on the Cape is what brought 
him weekend peace.
  The sweeping arm of the Cape reminds me of Tip's outstretched hand, 
greeting everyone he met.
  Tip was a giant of American politics. While he made famous his ``All 
politics is local'' approach to public service, Tip's influence also 
was felt on the international level. One of his greatest 
accomplishments was crafting a peace agreement between rival factions 
in Northern Ireland. He, along with our late friend Senator Ted 
Kennedy, worked together to develop the ``St. Patrick's Day 
declaration'' condemning violence in Northern Ireland.
  A public service powerhouse at the state, federal and international 
level of American politics, Tip embodied the values we strive for as 
servants of the People's business. As an Irish-Catholic politician from 
Boston, I am proud of Tip's successful international negotiations that 
helped to pave the way for peace in Northern Ireland. As an American, I 
feel privileged to have served with such an historic guardian of 
America's working families and middle class. And as a citizen of 
Massachusetts, I am pleased to introduce this bill to forever recognize 
a great defender of the natural beauty of Cape Cod.

                          ____________________