BOSTON (WHDH) - People from across the country were in Boston on Monday to pay their respects to U.S. Congressman Barney Frank, who died at his home in Maine last month. He was 86-years-old.
A memorial service was held at Boston’s Faneuil Hall, in a building called the Cradle of Liberty, to honor Frank’s life and legacy. He was elected 16 times to his seat in Congress and represented the Boston area from 1981 to 2013.
“Like Faneuil Hall, Barney Frank was built for argument,” Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joked.
Frank made history as the first member of Congress to come out as gay. He was a leader on LGBTQ+ issues who led the way for future politicians like Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who also spoke at his service.
“To get elected, even re-elected, even elected to other positions it’s because of trailblazers like Barney Frank, because of him,” Healey said.
Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was also in attendance.
“I want you to know he said to me, ‘You were very important in this.’ I said, ‘Oh, really?’ He said, “Yeah, because you got out of my way,” Pelosi said jokingly.
Frank’s brother and husband also took to the stage to honor the man who was more than just a Congressman to them.
“A brother who built on the fundamental decency and instinctive liberalism of our parents, and used his considerable political skills in his own life to broaden our country’s conception of liberty and justice for all,” said David Frank, Frank’s brother.
“Today, we gather with great sadness, but also profound gratitude for him,” Healey said. “Gratitude, our country was blessed by Barney’s extraordinary intellect, his fearless conviction, his legendary wit, and above all, his unwavering commitment to justice. He’s had an impact on the life course, the trajectory of Americans around this country, and what he has done is help move all of us closer to the promise of a democracy that belongs to everyone.”
Frank died from congestive heart failure.
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