Remembering Frank McCloskey

I was deeply saddened this week by the passing of former Indiana congressman Frank McCloskey. Rep. McCloskey was a good friend and valuable ally throughout the Bosnia crisis. He led the fight in the House to pass legislation to lift the U.S. arms embargo on Bosnia, which, against all odds, was passed by the House first in June 1994 under McCloskey's sponsorship. I sat there in the House chamber as the bill was debated, voted on, and passed. I stood next to Frank as republican and democratic leaders and colleagues shook his hand and told him that his passion and commitment made this unlikely passage possible. Unfortunately, Rep. McCloskey was rewarded with losing his re-election bid in the November 1994 Gingrich-led “revolution.” Rep. McCloskey, however, never doubted his decision to support Bosnia, or priorities.

Much of Rep. McCloskey's career after 1994 was spent trying to bring stability to Bosnia and the Balkans.

We all hear too often about how “all politicians are alike” and that they all are self-serving, dishonest and corrupt. The good politicians rarely get the media’s attention. But those of us who have worked closely with members of Congress on Bosnia know that there are many, many politicians who are good, honest people who try to do the right thing. They may not be perfect, but they try to do what is right. We dishonor those good people when we react with cynicism to the political process and reports in the media of those “rotten eggs” who tarnish what should be a noble calling.

Frank McCloskey was an honest politician who tried to do the right thing. He was willing to sacrifice his political career to help people he had no personal connection with prior to traveling there after the war started. He was, in political terms, a hero.