Honoring the Life and Career of Tom Manton

The following resolution was passed by the Democratic National Committee at its meeting on August 19, 2006.

Submitted by:

Alice Germond, DNC Secretary/West Virginia
Renee Gill Pratt, Louisiana
Ben L. Jeffers, At-Large/Louisiana
James K. Metcalfe, Chair, Alaska

Resolution Honoring the Life and Career of Tom Manton

WHEREAS, Tom Manton, the son of Irish immigrants grew up in Astoria and became a New York City policeman; and

WHEREAS, after receiving his undergraduate and law degree from St. John’s University, Mr. Manton entered politics, serving four terms on the city council and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1985; and

WHEREAS, as co-chairman of the Congressional Ad-Hoc Committee on Irish Affairs, Mr. Manton encouraged President Clinton to meet with Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Fein, in 1995; and

WHEREAS, throughout his seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, Mr. Manton continued to be a champion for the local issues of his district; and

WHEREAS, in 1986 Mr. Manton became chairman of the Queens Democratic Party; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Manton was credited with helping to recruit candidates from the Hispanic, Asian and other immigrant and ethnic groups that have made Queens one of the most demographically diverse counties in the country; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Manton served as a member of the Democratic National Committee from 1992 until his death on July 22, 2006, at the age of 73;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee honors the life and service of a dedicated DNC member and a great Democrat.