Thomas Phillip "Tip" O'Neill, Jr. (December 9, 1912 – January 5, 1994) was an American politician and Speaker of the United States House of Representative. O'Neill was an outspoken liberal Democrate and influential member of the House of Representatives, serving for 34 years and representing two congressional districts in Massachusetts. He served as Speaker of the House from 1977 until his retirement in 1981. He was a strong supporter of the space program and worked closely with President Carter on moving funding for advance nuclear rockets and research into a possible mars colony.