former massachusetts congressman barney frankOne of the most influential political figures in modern American history has died at the age of 86. Tributes poured in, with many asking about Jim Ready, the husband with whom he spent his final years.
Who is Jim Reddy?
Jim Ready, Ogunquit maine Run a small business offering custom awnings, carpentry, painting, welding and general handyman services. He is also a photographer, According to CBS News.
Reddy and Frank’s relationship made history. The couple married in July 2012 at the Boston Marriott Hotel in Newton, Massachusetts, with then-Governor Deval Patrick officiating, CBS News reported. More than 300 friends, family and colleagues attended the wedding. At the time of the marriage, Frank was 72 years old and Reddy was 42 years old.
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This wedding was not only a personal milestone, it was also historic. Frank becomes first member of Congress to enter into same-sex marriage USA Today. Another landmark moment in Frank’s life came 25 years later, in 1987, when Frank became the first member of Congress to voluntarily come out as gay.
What do we know about his death?
Frank represented Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 2013. He served as Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to 2011 and was the lead sponsor of the landmark Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, which was enacted to provide financial stability in the aftermath of the 2008 mortgage crisis.
Frank entered hospice care at his home in Maine in April, his sister told NBC Boston. He died on Tuesday night at the age of 86.
He died after a battle with congestive heart failure.
The tributes came quickly. “He was such a great figure not just for Massachusetts but for the entire country. It’s very sad for us,” Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka told reporters at the Massachusetts Capitol, according to USA Today. “He stepped up, stood up, and spoke for a lot of people when they didn’t have a voice. He made a lot of huge positive changes not just for Massachusetts, for our state, but for our country. It’s a huge loss for our country.”
