Rep. Waters’ Statement On The Retirement Of Rep. Barney Frank

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 — Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. (35th CD), issued the following statement:

Today- "I am deeply saddened to learn that my friend and colleague, Barney Frank, has decided not to seek reelection to the position of Representative of Massachusetts Fourth Congressional District. Barney has been more than just a tireless and thoughtful leader on the Financial Services Committee; he has also been a dear friend, teacher, confidant, and ally. His retirement represents a loss for all of us.

"We first served on the Judiciary Committee together and then on Financial Services. Through that service, Barney and I built a friendship and working relationship based on mutual respect for each other and a mutual desire to make sure all Americans have a fair shot. Barney is a fighter for fairness in financial services and civil rights for all, including minorities and LGBT Americans. Because of his leadership, the Financial Services Committee has been one of the most productive committees in Congress.

"If not for his leadership and commitment, serious and much needed legislation, including financial reform, would have never come to fruition. Working side by side with Barney on housing issues, flood insurance, investor and consumer protections and financial regulatory reform, especially on the Dodd-Frank conference committee, has resulted in some of my proudest moments as a legislator. I look forward to working with Barney over the next year to protect these important gains. Of course, there is more work to be done.

"As the next most senior member of the committee, the current ranking member on the Capital Markets subcommittee and the former chair of the Housing and Community Opportunity subcommittee, I hope to use my experience to continue and expand his work in the committee. I will continue to champion practical regulations, while making sure they work for consumers and the financial sector, a sector which has the right to be profitable but the obligation to be fair, two concepts which are not mutually exclusive.

"I will miss Barney deeply. I will miss his wit, his sense of humor, his dedication to helping those who cannot help themselves, his passion for affordable housing, his deep knowledge of financial services issues, and his commitment to the Democratic Party. Most of all, I will miss his friendship. He has been a friend to the voiceless, the disenfranchised, to all Democrats everywhere, and to me.

"I sincerely wish him the best of luck in his life after leaving the House. This place will never be the same without him."

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