Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 25, 1994 TAG: 9401250271
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JON HALBERSTADT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Growing up in Cambridge, Mass., one either knew Tip, or one lived on the moon or on Brattle Street and talked with Harvard University exclusively, or so we thought. We were working-class Democrats much like those in Tip's North Cambridge neighborhood. The only obvious difference wasWe were not Irish, but we favored many of Tip's values and lived in a neighborhood called Kerry Corner.which was in the shadows of Harvard College near the Charles River.
When Thomas P. O'Neill III was a candidate for lieutenant governor in the early '70s (he won), I readily jumped into the campaign. On a cold, rainy Election Day, Tom's father made the rounds to visit the poll workers, offering hot coffee and his personal ``Thanks for helping Tommy.'' It certainly wasn't necessary for Tip, a senior member of Congress, to do this but that was how he operated.
Not much later, I had a good talk with Tom. Tom didn't know me well, but I had been part of a new activist group that had forged a winning coalition in the ward committees. When Tom realized we were fairly close on the issues, he said, ``My god, Jon, you're a regular Democrat.''
It is a badge I have worn with pride. Today in Virginia, it is sometimes difficult to tell who the Republican is and who the Democrat is.
In the mid-'70s, an O'Neill picnic for friends and campaign workers and their families was held on the lovely green fields of a prestigious day school. While everyone else was eating and drinking and playing, Tip held forth in the little available shade. Whether it was political chitchat or serious gossip, he received anyone who came forward.
I approached Tip with my 1-year-old daughter Elizabeth in tow. I hadn't seen Tip for a long time and started to identify myself. Tip stopped me short saying, ``I know who you are.'' He knew that I had helped his son, and he definitely remembered my father, who had worked in Tip's first congressional campaign back in 1952.
Holding my daughter in my arms, I moved closer to Tip and said, ''This is our Elizabeth.'' No sooner were the words spoken than Elizabeth reached for Tip and got his wonderful nose. I said, ``Tip, it's all right, she's a Democrat.'' Tip smiled and then resumed holding court.
As I watched the funeral on television, I saw many friends I had known. My eyes were more than a little bit teary. Little had I known how much Tip had meant to me personally.
We in Virginia struggle through attack ad after attack ad. I thought back to Cambridge and Tip O'Neill's campaigns. Not once can I remember his integrity and honesty being an issue.
O'Neill's legacy was for many years considered ``tax and spend'' politics. What happened during his years of service was provision of safety nets for the unemployed, the elderly, the sick, children and many other causes. Even President Clinton wants to make changes. How he protects the disadvantaged, the underemployed, the elderly will be the real challenge. Values are under challenge from Republicans and Democrats alike. Hopefully, a lot of compassion will be in good order.
Elizabeth was home from school for Christmas, and we had a chance to talk. She let me know, with a bit of annoyance, that her 18th birthday this year falls on a Sunday. She has already planned to go to the courthouse and register to vote on the Monday after her birthday. I know she will take her voting rights very seriously. Who knows - she might be a Democrat by osmosis.
Tip O'Neill took up the cause of the underclasses, the poor, children, the elderly and those without a voice. For 50 years, O'Neill voted with his heart for his constituents. His efforts to serve those least able to protect themselves will long be remembered. Harvard waited until 1987 to award Speaker O'Neill an honorary degree.
We knew how good Tip was all those years. I am proud to have been one of his constituents. Well done, Mr. Speaker.
\ Jon Halberstadt, a commercial real-estate broker, was active in local Massachusetts politics before moving to Christiansburg in 1978.
by CNB