NEW BEDFORD — Leaders of the city's fishing industry praised Barney Frank's unwavering support for fishermen and his mastery of complex regulatory issues as word of his planned retirement spread along the waterfront Monday.
"Barney has been the leader for us in everything," said New Bedford's Rodney Avila, a lifelong fisherman who is also a member of the New England Fishery Management Council. "When he first got the district, he came down and met with fishermen. He said 'I can't give you everything you want but I can make sure you guys get treated fair' and he's been an advocate for us ever since."
The industry will miss Frank's considerable influence in Washington, Avila said, as well as his fighting spirit.
"One thing about Barney: He always tells it like it is and he doesn't back down," he said.
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