Room Named for Him : O’Neill Has the Floor--and Walls, Ceiling
WASHINGTON — The House honored Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill Jr. today, approving a resolution naming a third-floor room of the Capitol after the Massachusetts Democrat who retires this year after 34 years in Congress.
O’Neill, who was given a standing ovation by his colleagues, said the tribute violated one of his longtime beliefs--that a politician should not have anything named for him until he is out of office for 10 years.
The Speaker joked that he now enjoys the same status as a former House restaurant maitre d’ who had a room dedicated in his honor.
The House Republican leader, Robert H. Michel of Illinois, wondered whether the O’Neill Room--used by Democratic leaders for strategy sessions--was large enough, a lighthearted reference to O’Neill’s height and weight.
“It is spacious and gracious, ample in its proportion and warmth,” replied Jim Wright (D-Tex.), the majority leader and the man expected to succeed O’Neill as Speaker.
One of the Speaker’s predecessors, Sam Rayburn of Texas, fared a little better than O’Neill. The House named an entire office building after.
Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter
Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond. In your inbox three times per week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
