President Obama issued the following statement today in response to the retirement of LGBT activist Congressman Barney Frank's retirement:
" This
country has never had a Congressman like Barney Frank, and the House of
Representatives will not be the same without him. For over 30 years,
Barney has been a fierce advocate for the people of Massachusetts and
Americans everywhere who needed a voice. He has worked tirelessly on
behalf of families and businesses and helped make housing more
affordable. He has stood up for the rights of LGBT Americans and fought
to end discrimination against them. And it is only thanks to his
leadership that we were able to pass the most sweeping financial reform
in history designed to protect consumers and prevent the kind of
excessive risk-taking that led to the financial crisis from ever
happening again. Barney’s passion and his quick wit will be missed in
the halls of Congress, and Michelle and I join the people of the Bay
State in thanking him for his years of service."