[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 15560-15563]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING FORMER MEMBER OF CONGRESS THOMAS J. MANTON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Crowley) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. CROWLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in sadness to pay tribute to 
my predecessor here in Congress, Tom Manton. In politics, as in life, 
you can only achieve greatness by building on the path that those 
before you have taken.
  Tom was a mentor to me, a friend, a confidante. Tom Manton truly 
loved serving here in this institution, with his friends on both sides 
of the aisle. I will truly miss his friendship, and our city and our 
State of New York will miss his leadership.
  My condolences go out to his wife, Diane, and to all his children and 
his grandchildren on the passing of their husband, their father and 
their grandfather.

[[Page 15561]]

  Tom Manton was born in New York City in 1932. He was the son of a 
working class Irish immigrant. His father actually worked here on 
Capitol Hill as a plasterer, laying plaster in the Longworth Building. 
He often talked about that historical note. He would often say only in 
America can a son of someone who built the halls of Congress one day 
serve in the halls of Congress.
  Tom Manton went on to law school at the St. John's University where 
he got his law degree, but before that, he was a police officer, a 
computer salesman, and after law school was elected to the New York 
City Council in 1969, representing what are still parts of today the 
7th congressional district that I have the honor of serving in.
  In 1986, after the death of Donald Manes, Tom Manton stepped up and 
filled the role as chair of the County of Queens Democratic Party. When 
our party in Queens was at its lowest ebb, Tom Manton took the reins of 
control and brought back the image of Democrats in Queens County and in 
New York City and New York State. He instilled discipline from time to 
time, which is part of the role of a county leader, but he worked to 
make the party the preeminent political party, not only of New York 
City and New York State, but many would argue our Nation today.
  Presidential candidates, from Mike Dukakis and Dick Gephardt and 
Fritz Mondale and Bob Kerry, Bill Clinton, and John Kerry, all sought 
his support and the support of Queens Democrats to help propel them to 
higher office and, in the instance of Bill Clinton, successfully 
helping to make him President of the United States.
  But Tom has helped elected officials at every level achieve their 
goals, the firsts of firsts in many respects: the first Indian 
political leader, under his tutelage; the first Bangladeshi American 
political leader, under his tutelage; the first Latino from Queens to 
the New York State assembly; the first openly gay political leader; the 
first woman as Borough president; and the first African American woman 
as Borough president; and the list goes on and on.
  Tom always had the bug for Congress and ran in 1972 against an 
incumbent, James Delaney. He lost that election, but he also ran again 
in 1978 against Geraldine Ferraro. Once again, he lost, but he did not 
let that keep him down. When Geraldine Ferraro was tapped by Walter 
Mondale to run as his running mate in 1984, Tom took the opportunity to 
run for and finally win a seat in Congress.
  In Congress, he was an inside political player who earned a seat on 
the Committee on Energy and Commerce. He fought tenaciously through 
this committee for the interests of New York, bringing countless jobs 
and Federal resources to his district.
  One of his major accomplishments was the establishment of the Ad-Hoc 
Committee of Irish Affairs which he used as a forum to represent one of 
the largest communities of Irish immigrants in the United States.
  As co-chair of this committee, he worked closely with President 
Clinton to urge him to grant a visa to Gerry Adams, and this began the 
peace process that led to the Good Friday Agreement in Northern 
Ireland.

                              {time}  2015

  As a friend and a mentor, I have to say, in addition to being a 
caring husband, grandfather, and father, Tom was a dear friend to many. 
In 1984, my uncle, Walter Crowley, ran against Tom Manton in that open 
primary seat that I spoke of earlier. I worked very hard for my Uncle 
Walter in that campaign, and I remember vividly the heartbreaking loss 
my Uncle endured and that I felt myself. Tom Manton was an unspoken 
name in our household. It was a bad word. You couldn't say that name.
  But not long after that, Tom Manton tapped me on the shoulder at the 
County Cork Association dance on Greenpoint Avenue, and he said to me, 
how would you like to be the next assemblyman from the 30th assembly 
district? Why don't you think about getting in that primary. And I did. 
I won a subway primary, with his support and under his tutelage. In 
1998, I was proud to succeed him here in Congress as the Congressman 
from the Seventh Congressional District.
  I know how proud Tom was to serve in this Congress, and I know how 
proud I am of the work that he did here, and I am proud to succeed him 
here in Congress to this day. There is not a day that I am not grateful 
for the opportunities that Tom Manton created for me and for my life.
  To Tom's wife, Diane; to his four children, Cathy Manton Laurent of 
Schenectady, Tom Manton of London, John Manton of Woodside, Queens, and 
Jeanne of Astoria; and to his four grandchildren, Nicole, Marc, 
Danielle, and Liam Henry, and incidentally, Liam Henry, Tom would 
always remind me, is the same name of my son and how it was a great 
coincidence that he and I would share that as well. It was something 
that in this last year particularly he would always point out to me, 
and it brought a chuckle to him and to me as well. I want you all to 
know that Tom, your granddad, your father, and your husband, is in our 
thoughts and in our prayers.
  But more importantly, Diane, you and your children and your 
grandchildren are in all the prayers of the Members of Congress on both 
sides of the aisle.
  I have to say for the record, I loved Tom Manton, and he is not the 
kind of guy you would say that to. I didn't have to say it to him. He 
knew it. There was an unspoken language between the two of us. He knew 
how I felt about him, and I certainly knew how he felt about me. He 
showed it in so many ways.
  I will miss my good friend, my mentor, Tom Manton, as I know his law 
partners will, as his community will. His legacy will live on in so 
many people but especially in this Member of Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record the Associated Press article 
regarding Tom Manton's death.

                     (From Newsday, July 23, 2006)

         Thomas Manton, Former Congressman From New York, Dies

                          (By Devlin Barrett)

       Washington--Thomas Manton, a former congressman who for 
     years wielded his influence to shape New York City's 
     political landscape, has died. He was 73.
       The seven-term congressman died Saturday, said Rep. Joseph 
     Crowley, who took Manton's Queens congressional seat when he 
     retired.
       Crowley declined to discuss the cause of death but Michael 
     Reich, the Queens Democratic Party's executive secretary and 
     Manton's spokesman, told the (New York) Daily News that 
     Manton died of an undisclosed and lengthy illness.
       Elected 20 years ago to his post as Queens Democratic Party 
     chair, Manton was known as a behind-the-scenes politician who 
     fostered the careers of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn 
     and other local political figures.
       When he announced his retirement from Congress in 1998, he 
     successfully hand-picked Crowley, then a state assemblyman, 
     as his successor, and he played a role in the selection of 
     the two most recent City Council speakers.
       ``He was a great man and a great friend and he'll be 
     terribly missed,'' Crowley said Sunday. ``He's left the 
     Queens Democratic party in a very strong position.''
       New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg said he had reached 
     out to Manton when he first began considering entering 
     politics.
       ``He was a classy guy. It's a sad day,'' said the 
     Republican mayor, a former Democrat. ``We really did lose 
     someone who made a difference.''
       Manton served 15 years on the New York City Council before 
     taking over Geraldine Ferraro's congressional seat when she 
     ran for vice president in 1984. As a congressman, he had 
     little problem getting re-elected, winning with 87 percent of 
     the vote in 1994.
       He said his years as a city councilman made him sensitive 
     to the needs of constituent service and set the tone for his 
     congressional career, which was focused on local concerns and 
     New York City politics.
       As the head of the county party, he helped choose the 
     city's leaders and, Crowley said, helped open up the party 
     leadership to minority groups.
       ``He was a steady rudder of the ship who brought the Queens 
     party back from its lowest ebb. He diversified the leadership 
     of the county, welcoming minority leaders,'' said Crowley.
       Born in 1932 to Irish immigrant parents in Manhattan, 
     Manton carved a colorful career path, serving as a New York 
     City police officer, an IBM salesman and a flight navigator 
     for the U.S. Marine Corps. He worked as a lawyer for decades, 
     reportedly retiring just months before his death.


[[Page 15562]]

  Mr. WEINER. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday the House of 
Representatives lost one of its own and New York City lost a great 
civil servant when Congressman Thomas J. Manton died at the age of 73.
  Mr. Manton embodied the American dream and his story is one of 
integrity, hard work and dedication to community service.
  The most important lesson we learn from our former colleague is that 
you don't have to be born into a political or influential family, nor 
do you have to have lots of money to succeed in politics. Mr. Manton's 
formula for success was honesty and coalition building.
  His parents, Thomas Manton and Margaret Manton emigrated from Ireland 
in search of a better life. On November 3, 1932, they had their first 
and only son, Thomas J. Manton in a Manhattan hospital.
  Mr. Manton's father supported the family working as a plasterer and 
the family moved from Manhattan to the borough of Queens where Mr. 
Manton lived until he passed away.
  Mr. Manton demonstrated his commitment to public service very early 
on hen he served our country as a Sergeant in the United States Marine 
Corps.
  Upon returning, he worked his way through law school, serving the 
city as a police officer with the New York Police Department.
  In the same spirit of service he was elected to the New York City 
Council and served there for 14 years.
  In 1984, the voters from the 7th Congressional District chose Mr. 
Manton, to represent their interests in Washington. He served with 
distinction on the Commerce Committee and as Co-Chairman of the Ad-Hoc 
Committee on Irish Affairs.
  As the son of immigrants, Mr. Manton never forgot what makes this 
country great. As Chairman of the Queens Democratic Party, he embraced 
the growing diversity in Queens and recruited candidates of all 
ethnicities, including from the Asian and Hispanic communities.
  Mr. Manton maintained his position as District Leader for the Anoroc 
Democratic Club in his home district until the day that he died, which 
further demonstrates his commitment to being accessible to the public 
and the value he placed on being in touch with the community.
  Over 2 million people are lucky enough to call the borough of Queens 
home. Queens is an exceptional borough largely because of Thomas J. 
Manton, and we can all only hope to do what he did--leave the world a 
better place than we found it.
  I, with the entire City of New York, mourn the loss of the honorable 
and distinguished Congressman Thomas J. Manton and send my heartfelt 
condolences to his beloved wife Diane, their four children, and four 
grandchildren.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the legacy and 
accomplishments of our recently-passed colleague Thomas Manton.
  Tom Manton's life epitomized the American dream. Born to Irish 
immigrants in 1932, he worked to put himself through college and law 
school and eventually rose to become one of the most influential 
politicians in New York City.
  After attending Catholic school in Queens and Brooklyn, Tom enlisted 
in the Marine Corps, serving from 1951 to 1953. He went on to graduate 
from St. Johns University in 1958 and earned his law degree there in 
1962. In addition to his service defending our country in the armed 
forces, Tom put his life on the line protecting the citizens of New 
York in the police force from 1955 to 1960.
  After serving on the New York City Council from 1970 to 1984, Tom was 
elected to Congress. He served proudly and responsibly for seven terms 
in the House of Representatives, during which he also became Chair of 
the Queens Democratic Party.
  In his work with the Queens Democrats, he brought those of all 
different racial and ethnic backgrounds into the political fold. 
Although he followed the tradition of Irish Catholic influence in New 
York City politics, he recruited candidates of all ethnic backgrounds 
to truly represent the diversity that exists throughout Queens on all 
levels of government.
  It is a testament to the respect Tom Manton earned and to the counsel 
he provided that during the 1992 Presidential campaign, then Governor 
Bill Clinton visited the Queens Democratic Party Headquarters in Forest 
Hills to speak with Tom. Additionally, Tom advised Mayor Michael 
Bloomberg during his initial city-wide campaign in 2001.
  On a personal note, I will miss the plain-spoken style of Tom Manton. 
When I first came to Congress in 1989, Tom provided me with a bevy of 
candid advice. During our time in Congress together, I considered him a 
close advisor, was honored to call him my colleague, and more 
importantly, always valued our friendship.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in paying respect 
to the family of Thomas Manton and offering condolences to all those 
who have benefited from his service to our country.
  Mr. McNULTY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and 
mourn the loss of a former colleague, a patriot, and a dear friend.
  Tom Manton was the son of immigrant farmers from the west of 
Ireland--Thomas, of County Roscommon, and Margaret, of County Mayo.
  Consider his impressive life story: Born in Manhattan, reared in 
Queens, educated in Brooklyn, then 2 years in the Marine Corps, 5 years 
in the New York Police Department, 15 years on the New York City 
Council, and 14 years here in Congress.
  Thankfully, my career as a Member of Congress included a wonderful 
working relationship and tremendous friendship with Tom Manton. We 
worked together on a number of issues--most notably the quest for peace 
in Ireland, and the goal of uniting all the counties of Ireland.
  Tom served as Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs. I 
had the privilege of traveling with him and President Clinton to 
Northern Ireland. Tom was a leading force in getting President Clinton 
involved in the peace process. Tom was chiefly responsible for getting 
the president to agree to meet with Gerry Adams.
  Tom's commitment to the cause of justice and peace in Ireland, and 
his commitment to human rights, was a driving force that helped lead to 
the Good Friday Accords.
  But, Mr. Speaker, more than the working relationship, there was the 
friendship.
  In my first run for Congress, almost two decades ago, without 
hesitation, the man from Queens was there to help me. And thanks to 
Tom, and many others, I won.
  I am so grateful for the wise advice and good counsel Tom gave to me 
through the years.
  Mr. Speaker, before I even came to Washington in 1988 for the formal 
orientation, Tom Manton invited me to his office in New York City for 
an informal orientation. It was an invaluable introduction to what life 
in Congress was like.
  I never could thank him enough for that.
  In my later reelection campaigns, Tom was always there to help. Once 
I told him of an event that the Irish American community in my district 
was planning to help my campaign. Tom immediately said, ``Yes, I'll be 
there.''
  And he was. We had the party in Albany, and Tom spoke on my behalf. 
He didn't stop there, however, because Tom Manton also sang on my 
behalf.
  And I shall always be proud to sing his praises!!
  Tom Manton rendered a lifetime of outstanding service to his family, 
his community, and his country. I am truly blessed and deeply grateful 
to have been able to count him as a friend.
  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.

[[Page 15563]]

  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.
  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.
  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.

                          ____________________