The Washington Times,
February 19, 2001
Democrats and Republicans alike are heaping praise on Rep. Joe Moakley,
the Democratic dean of the Massachusetts congressional delegation who is
suffering from an incurable form of cancer.
"In short, the prognosis is not good," Mr. Moakley, 74, told
a hushed room of reporters the other day.
Late last week, a bill was called up in Congress to designate the U.S.
Courthouse in Boston as the "John Joseph Moakley United States Courthouse,"
a tribute to the 16-term lawmaker's commitment to fighting for justice.
Still, we always appreciated Mr. Moakley for his quick — if not
controversial — wit.
Take the day not long ago when the congressman led a trade delegation
of Boston businessmen to Fidel Castro's communist island of Cuba.
When State Department officials suggested Mr. Moakley take Cuban
dissidents along to his meetings with Mr. Castro's regime, the congressman
likened that to "bringing all your former girlfriends" to a marriage
proposal. | 