Former US congressman Barney Frank, who famously took on Wall Street, died on Tuesday night at the age of 86. He had been in hospice care at his home in Maine since April.
Serving as a Democrat from southern Massachusetts for over three decades, Frank was one of the first openly gay representatives in Congress and played a critical role in advocating for LGBT rights. He will be remembered not only for his fight for equality, being the first member of Congress to enter into a same-sex marriage, but also for his leadership during the 2008 financial crisis.
His sister, Doris Breay, expressed her sentiments saying, He was, above all else, a wonderful brother. I was lucky to be his sister.
Jim Segel, Frank's former campaign manager, noted his lasting impact: He certainly left a mark, and he was a leader on civil rights, on gay rights, on leading other marginalized communities. Frank was a significant architect of the Dodd-Frank Act, a comprehensive reform of banking regulations aimed at preventing future financial crises.
Throughout his career, he was vocal in supporting the ending of discriminatory practices, including the military's 'don't ask, don't tell' policy, and attempted to pass legislation banning workplace discrimination against LGBT workers.
In the weeks leading to his death, Frank reflected on the current political landscape, expressing both disgust at the situation and optimism for the future. His contributions to America will be felt long after his passing.
