Barney Frank, one of the few openly gay individuals in the U.S. House of Representatives, announced Nov. 28 that he will not seek re-election, according to the Washington Post.
Frank, 71, has served office for 16 terms.
Last year, Frank faced his first serious challenge in a long time from little-known Marine Corps reservist Sean Bielat. The congressman campaigned heavily to defend his seat; he won with 54 percent of the vote.
Seventeen Democrats in the U.S. House have announced plans to retire this year; some are running for higher office.
In 1987, Frank became the first congressman to officially come out of the closet. Frank chaired the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to this year, helping move bailout legislation through Congress.
In a statement, President Obama said, "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."
Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese said in a statement, "Barney Frank has exemplified true leadership over his more than 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. As the first openly gay member of Congress, Barney defied stereotypes and kicked doors open for LGBT Americans.
"Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act would never have happened without his leadership. But it goes beyond that. 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."
Lesbian U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin said, "With the retirement of Congressman Barney Frank, the House will lose one of its smartest, wittiest and most progressive voices. In a time of deep economic turmoil and unscrupulous financial practices, Barney led the Financial Services Committee and the House to restore much-needed consumer protections and corporate regulation.
"For LGBT Americans, Barney has had an immeasurable impact both symbolically and substantively. He has written and fought for laws that are leading us toward full equality. He co-founded with me the first Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus which now boasts a bipartisan membership of nearly 100. He has been a role model for LGBT youth in and out of government. For me, he also has been a valued mentor and friend.
"For all of us committed to social justice, Barney leaves an enduring legacy."
Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, said, "Barney Frank is one of a kind. ... 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."
Statement by President Obama on 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.
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force responds to U.S. Rep. Barney Frank's announcement he will not seek re-election
WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 — The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force responded today to the announcement by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank ( D-Mass. ) that he will not seek re-election in 2012. Frank was first elected to Massachusetts 4th Congressional District in 1980 and came out publicly as gay in 1987. He is the ranking Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, and its former chairman, making him one of the most influential gay leaders in America.
Statement by Rea Carey, Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
"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. We thank him for his years of service. 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."
To learn more about the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, visit www.theTaskForce.org
and follow us on Twitter: @TheTaskForce.
Statement by Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign
WASHINGTON — Today, Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, issued the following statement on the news Massachusetts Congressman Barney Frank will not seek reelection. Solmonese, a Massachusetts native, worked for Frank on one of his first campaigns for Congress:
"Barney Frank has exemplified true leadership over his more than 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. As the first openly gay Member of Congress, Barney defied stereotypes and kicked doors open for LGBT Americans. Repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' and passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act would never have happened without his leadership. But it goes beyond that. 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."
SLDN Statement Regarding Retirement Announcement of Rep. Barney Frank
( WASHINGTON, D.C. ) Army Veteran and Servicemembers Legal Defense Network ( SLDN ) Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis released the following statement regarding the announcement of Rep. Barney Frank ( D-MA ) today that he will not seek re-election to Congress.
"Rep. Frank is a national leader of unparalleled stature when it comes to fighting for what is right - not just for the LGBT community, but for all Americans. His determined leadership, unwavering commitment for more than two decades, and tireless advocacy were key to bringing about the repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' The team of Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, and Steny Hoyer ensured a successful House repeal vote and put tremendous pressure on the Senate and White House to act in the closing days of the last Congress. We at SLDN will miss Rep. Frank terribly as we press forward, but we know that wherever his journey takes him next, he will be fighting alongside us until we reach the day when all service members are treated equally."
Statement of Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin ( D-WI ) on the retirement of Congressman Barney Frank ( D-MA )
"With the retirement of Congressman Barney Frank, the House will lose one of its smartest, wittiest, and most progressive voices. In a time of deep economic turmoil and unscrupulous financial practices, Barney led the Financial Services Committee and the House to restore much-needed consumer protections and corporate regulation.
For LGBT Americans, Barney has had an immeasurable impact both symbolically and substantively. He has written and fought for laws that are leading us toward full equality. He co-founded with me the first Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus which now boasts a bipartisan membership of nearly 100. He has been a role model for LGBT youth in and out of government. For me, he also has been a valued mentor and friend.
For all of us committed to social justice, Barney leaves an enduring legacy."
Senator John Kerry on Rep. Barney Frank's Announcement
BOSTON — Senator John Kerry today released a statement following Congressman Barney Frank's announcement that he will not seek reelection in 2012:
"No one's ever doubted for a minute what Barney Frank thinks or where he stands, and if you weren't sure, trust me, he'd tell you. That's the special quality that has made Barney not just beloved and quotable, but unbelievably effective as an advocate and a legislator. He's brave, he's bold, and he's ridiculously smart. People have marveled for years about what a quick and witty debater Barney can be, but many overlooked his secret: he has a core. He's the same advocate I met in the 1970s stumping for Father Drinan, only he's taken that fight and that same sense of fundamental fairness to battles over equality, affordable housing, and fishing in New Bedford. Barney is who he is, no matter the issue. His voice will be deeply missed in the Congress and in our delegation, but true to his word he'll be taking his perspective to a new arena where his impact will continue to be felt just as deeply."
