House work is legacy for O'Neill granddaughter
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Late speaker's kin in charge of floor
Late speaker's kin in charge of floor
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By Lois Romano, Washington Post February 3, 2007
By Lois Romano, Washington Post February 3, 2007
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WASHINGTON -- Catlin O'Neill can't quite remember her first time on the House floor, a little girl in the large, comforting arms of her legendary "Pop-Pop." But it is not a stretch to say that today the doors of that grand chamber do not open without the grandchild of the late speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill.
WASHINGTON -- Catlin O'Neill can't quite remember her first time on the House floor, a little girl in the large, comforting arms of her legendary "Pop-Pop." But it is not a stretch to say that today the doors of that grand chamber do not open without the grandchild of the late speaker Thomas P. "Tip" O'Neill.
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After the Democrats took back control of the House in January, new Speaker Nancy Pelosi put O'Neill, 29, in charge of floor operations, covering everything from regulating the temperature in the chamber to ensuring that there is always a Democrat in the speaker's chair.
"My job goes to the operating of government," O'Neill said. "If I step back, I know it's crucial that everything gets done."
After the Democrats took back control of the House in January, new Speaker Nancy Pelosi put O'Neill, 29, in charge of floor operations, covering everything from regulating the temperature in the chamber to ensuring that there is always a Democrat in the speaker's chair.
"My job goes to the operating of government," O'Neill said. "If I step back, I know it's crucial that everything gets done."
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And then there is her unofficial and unsought role as keeper of the legacy. When Pelosi was agonizing over whether she should move out of Tip O'Neill's old Capitol office into the more elegant digs available to her, it was the late speaker's granddaughter who gave her a green light.
"It was sentimental, and Catlin said, 'It's OK, move the office. The family wants you in the speaker's office,' " Pelosi recalled this week. "That was important for me."
And then there is her unofficial and unsought role as keeper of the legacy. When Pelosi was agonizing over whether she should move out of Tip O'Neill's old Capitol office into the more elegant digs available to her, it was the late speaker's granddaughter who gave her a green light.
"It was sentimental, and Catlin said, 'It's OK, move the office. The family wants you in the speaker's office,' " Pelosi recalled this week. "That was important for me."
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O'Neill suspects that most lawmakers do not know her connection to the gregarious, larger-than-life Tip. Those old-timers who do, she says, always have a story to tell about one of the last unabashed liberals in politics.
O'Neill suspects that most lawmakers do not know her connection to the gregarious, larger-than-life Tip. Those old-timers who do, she says, always have a story to tell about one of the last unabashed liberals in politics.
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O'Neill is the daughter of Christopher "Kip" O'Neill -- Tip's fourth child and a Washington lobbyist -- and his wife, Stephanie. Catlin joined Pelosi's staff in 2002, after the California Democrat was elected minority whip. A few years ago she was promoted to floor assistant, a coveted position in the Hill hierarchy because it puts an aide in close proximity to legislators. Sometimes O'Neill is called upon to advise a freshman how to make his or her first floor remarks.
O'Neill is the daughter of Christopher "Kip" O'Neill -- Tip's fourth child and a Washington lobbyist -- and his wife, Stephanie. Catlin joined Pelosi's staff in 2002, after the California Democrat was elected minority whip. A few years ago she was promoted to floor assistant, a coveted position in the Hill hierarchy because it puts an aide in close proximity to legislators. Sometimes O'Neill is called upon to advise a freshman how to make his or her first floor remarks.
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She was born in 1977, the year Tip O'Neill was sworn in as speaker. Her grandfather, one of the most prominent liberal Democrats of modern times, reigned as speaker until he retired in 1987, making him the second-longest-serving speaker in US history, after Sam Rayburn.
Catlin has only sketchy memories of that historic period. "I used to raid the supply cabinet," she confessed about her frequent visits to the Hill.
She was born in 1977, the year Tip O'Neill was sworn in as speaker. Her grandfather, one of the most prominent liberal Democrats of modern times, reigned as speaker until he retired in 1987, making him the second-longest-serving speaker in US history, after Sam Rayburn.
Catlin has only sketchy memories of that historic period. "I used to raid the supply cabinet," she confessed about her frequent visits to the Hill.
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She does recall with much clarity, however, her grandfather eloquently reciting "Paul Revere's Ride" for her third-grade class, and then asking the students to identify the poem. None could. "Catlin, you must know this," he finally implored."I was humiliated," she said, laughing.
She does recall with much clarity, however, her grandfather eloquently reciting "Paul Revere's Ride" for her third-grade class, and then asking the students to identify the poem. None could. "Catlin, you must know this," he finally implored."I was humiliated," she said, laughing.
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O'Neill says the first time she realized the import of her grandfather's life was at his 1994 funeral. She was 16: "Women at the newsstand were crying, helicopters were flying overhead, people were protesting. . . . It was surreal."
O'Neill says the first time she realized the import of her grandfather's life was at his 1994 funeral. She was 16: "Women at the newsstand were crying, helicopters were flying overhead, people were protesting. . . . It was surreal."
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She says she doesn't dwell on her family history. "Anyone would want to live up to a namesake, not to do anything that would cast a shadow over the memory," she said. "But at the same time, you want to be recognized as your own person."
She says she doesn't dwell on her family history. "Anyone would want to live up to a namesake, not to do anything that would cast a shadow over the memory," she said. "But at the same time, you want to be recognized as your own person."
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Catlin O'Neill is my current hero. She's only 29 and she's changing the world:-)
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I spent my early summers living in the house next to her on the Cape. Her sister Abby was the spunky kid I was referring to when I said I named my Abby after a childhood friend. As a child, I can best describe her as pensive, sensitive, thoughtful, quiet, and fun. She was always the mediator, the peace-maker when Abby and I bickered. She was always giving of herself, and loved making those around her happy. This is no "claim to fame by association," because I haven't seen her or spoken to her in over 15 years. I'm just super proud of her!!!!!
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As a child, summers were always my favorite time of year. My father was in CT working all week and didn't make it to the Cape every weekend, so everything was more relaxed. I lived next to two great friends whose house was so close we would talk to each other from our open bedroom windows at night. We lived in a tiny safe little town where we could walk to the movie theatre, candy store, or George's Pizza alone by 8, and I spent all of my days at the beach, playing in the ocean or pool, collecting shells to paint (with no great skill) and sell, or walking along a beautiful jeddi with a light house at the end, trying to fish, jump off it, or just sit and talk while the waves splashed over us.
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I had no idea how important Tip O'Neill was, or how important Catlin and Abby's father Kip or his brothers were. I just knew Catlin and Abby's "PopPop" would scoop me up in his lap along with his grandkids and belly laugh while we all messed around in his pool. I knew that Kip and Stephanie were kind and generous. They would tuck me in with their own kids when I spent the night, let me tag along on all the outings they probably hadn't exactly invited me, to or Catlin and Abby talked them in to bringing me to, ..the Red Sox games in the BOX seats (who gets to do that?), the Boston Children's Museum (where I've made a point of bringing my own kids at least once a year because I remember loving it so much) dinners, boat trips, parties. It wasn't all the things they did for me that made me love them so much as a kid, it was who they were. I knew them from the perspective of a child's eyes, as people, not political figures, and you know how kids have a talent for seeing right through people! They were a kind, unpretentious, thoughtful, generous, gentle and fun family.
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I don't know Catlin anymore, but I know what I remember of her and her family. And even though she doesn't know me anymore, I know she's out there representing me, my friends, the people who need representation the most, and of course the Democrats. I know she has great values, that she was raised to have integrity and care about the plight of those who are less fortunate than many of us, and that she's got her head screwed on straight when so many people in Washington seem certifiably insane right now. I wish she would run for president some day:-)
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Anyway, all I have to say is: GO CATLIN!!!!
5 comments:
Katie...
Its really difficult to accomplish my daily tasks at work when im softly whimpering at my desk. I am overwhelmed by your thoughtfulness and im humbled. I read as many of your essays as i could and what i have come to determine is that you, my dear Ms. Minivan, represent the women i most admire. I can barely pay my bills on time...the very thought of rearing a child is a mystery to me nevermind an entire flock. the fact you have time and energy to have a blog boggles my mind - in addition to the countless other things you must be doing. so here's to you for being the wonderful you that you clearly are.
i think of you often and look forward to a time where you me and Abby can share an evening on the couch sharing stories over pizza from Georges...laughing and learning and absorbing the wonderful women we have each become. with love and admiration: GO KATIE!
I second what catlin said :)
My Hero, indeed.
Hey Catlin :) Blast from the past, Chris Lynch here...we were pages together way back when :) and our grandparents live next to each other in Bethesda :) Just wanted to say hey :) hit me back when you can chris@instilledimages.com
Wow! I was the crazy Deaf kid down the street with my brother Brendan. Good to see you doing well.
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