Americans Sad as Barney Frank Calls it Quits

Sadness marked the reaction of Americans over the decision of Barney Frank, the first openly gay congressman, not to seek re-election.

The Massachusetts congressman announced his decision at a meeting at the Newton City Hall Monday.

“Barney Frank is one of a kind. He has brought his own brand of brashness, boldness, unmatched wit, discipline and skill to Capitol Hill, at times ingratiating and infuriating friend and foe alike,” Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said in a statement released to the Press Monday from Washington.

“As an openly gay member of Congress for nearly a quarter century, Barney Frank has made his mark on history. Yet his legacy is much more than that – for 30 years, he has dedicated himself to bettering the lives of the people he serves, and the country he serves. His voice – often loud and uncompromising – will be missed by many, including me,” Carey added.

Jane E. Weisner, who now lives in Amherst, Mass., told this scribe on phone she was surprised over Barney Frank’s decision. “If the Democrats had any chance of winning back the house in the 2012 presidential elections, I don’t think he would have resigned. It’s sad to see him go,” she said.

Weisner said Massachusetts lost one seat — from 10 to nine — in the wake of the 2010 population census.

She said Barney Frank had helped thousands of people avoid foreclosure of their homes after enacting the Dodd-Frank legislation and passing into law a requirement for the banks to have the original paperwork of the mortgage.

Barney Frank appeared to have made the decision to resign partly based on reshaping of his congressional-district lines, according to the Wall Street Journal.

“He is a brilliant congressman. I do not think there are people in the congress who are as knowledgeable about finances as Barney Frank is,” Weisner said.

Patrick Wojahn, lawyer and council member in College Park, Maryland, told this correspondent. “It will be hard to fill in his shoes. His service to the community will be remembered for many years.”

Wojahn hoped somebody will run who will be as much of a leader as Barney Frank has been.


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