Praise: Representative Barney Frank

Today's news includes that Barney Frank, currently serving his fifteenth term in the House of Representatives, will not be running for a sixteenth term.

Mr. Frank, 71, is the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee and a prominent openly gay member of Congress. He said his announcement was prompted by congressional redistricting that added more than 300,000 new people to his district and lopped off areas he had long represented, like the fishing city of New Bedford.

It is not surprising that the Human Rights Commission is lauding Mr. Frank.

Barney's quick wit and intelligence in the halls of Congress will not soon be forgotten.  His service as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee during a time of great economic upheaval made a gay man one of the most powerful people in the country and he used that power for great good. America, Massachusetts and LGBT people are better off for Barney Frank’s service.

Joe My God notes the announced retirement and includes quotes praising Mr. Frank from more LGBTQ organizations and President Obama.

Perhaps somewhat surprising are compliments coming from Fox News Opinion Page.

Today, Barney is considered by people in both political parties to be one of the brightest members of Congress but to me he is still is the same guy I met on the couch almost forty years ago. 

He still works overtime for his constituents. 

I report for a radio station in his district and although the two hosts I work with are dyed-in-the-wool conservatives they know when it comes to local issues such as the fishing industry in the Bay State that Congressman Frank is always there. 

Mr. Frank is a hero to many in the LGBTQ Community.  His open status and support for equality have been incredibly valuable.