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I want to thank the gentleman for yielding, and I want to thank Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi for bringing this bill to the floor.

I know those of us in the Massachusetts delegation always welcome the opportunity to pay tribute to Tip O'Neill, a giant of this House and a legend in Massachusetts politics.

For nearly 20 years, Tip O'Neill represented the people of his district with distinction, hard work and wit. And for 10 years, he led this House as Speaker.

Tip got into politics for the right reason - to help people.

As a New Deal Democrat, he believed that while government doesn't have all the answers, it can and should be a force for good.

While he may be best remembered for his admonition that -All politics is local- and he always put his constituents first, he also made a great mark in national and international affairs. He fought to protect and preserve Social Security and the safety net. He worked for peace in Northern Ireland and against the war in Vietnam.

And he was a source of great advice.

When you're running for office, always ask for someone's vote. And always say ‘thank you.'

Never judge a beauty pageant or pick a raffle number, because you'll make one person happy and hundreds of people mad.

In his second term, Tip was appointed to the House Rules Committee. When he entered the Democratic Leadership, my old boss and mentor Joe Moakley took that seat. And when Joe Moakley died, I was given the honor of taking his place on Rules. So I feel a strong personal responsibility to maintain Tip's legacy.

Again, I want to thank the Leadership for bringing this bill to the floor and for the effort to designate the building at 200 C Street here in Washington as the -Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. Federal Building.- It's a fitting tribute to a remarkable man.

I yield back the balance of my time.