[Rostenkowski raw: Mayor Jane Byrne]

Raw footage for the 1981 documentary "Rostenkowski," a portrait of House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dan Rostenkowski, a powerful figure in Chicago (and national) politics. Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne is interviewed about Dan Rostenkowski. Byrne comments on Rostenkowski's importance to Chicago and the country; how Rostenkowski's leadership role in Congress will help large cities; and how Rostenkowski was able to secure Presidential Inauguration tickets for her and other prominent Chicago politicians. Mayor Byrne also tells an amusing anecdote about the time Rostenkowski accidentally referred to her as "Mayor Daley."

00:00Copy video clip URL Tape begins with a shot of a blurred American flag presumably in the Mayor’s office. There is also an audio tone sounding.

00:21Copy video clip URL Cut to a shot of producer Tom Weinberg as he and the crew test levels before the interview.

01:11Copy video clip URL Cut to a close-up of Chicago Mayor Jane Byrne. Weinberg asks Byrne about Rostenkowski’s role as a leader in Chicago. Byrne responds in a very formal manner. “Well I think he’s always, or at least for the length of time I’ve known him, he’s always been in a very responsible position in the Congress. And I think we see how seniority works in the Congress. Congressman Rostenkowski had the fortitude and the ability to work his way up the ladder of the Congress and the seniority system, until he now stands as a very important Congressman not just for Chicago, but for the country.” Byrne goes on to say that Rostenkowski is a strong benefit for not only the city of Chicago, but for all of the larger cities in the U.S.

03:07Copy video clip URL Weinberg asks Byrne to comment on Rostenkwoski’s strong political family and ethnic background. Byrne responds by stating that a successful politician must always be in touch with his or her roots. She brings up other examples of these kinds of politicians such as Tip O’Neill, but does not say a word about Rostenkowski’s attachment to his roots. “I think the typically good political leader is one that never loses sight of from once he came.”

04:22Copy video clip URL Byrne comments on the relationship between herself and Rostenkowski. She states that they enjoy a very “warm personal relationship.” Byrne also states that Rostenkowski is the man to call when things need to get done.

05:23Copy video clip URL Byrne tells a story about a time in which Rostenkowski referred to Byrne as “Mayor Daley” over the phone.

05:48Copy video clip URL The interview ends and the camera operator gets a close-up of the seal that sits in the Mayor’s office.

05:56Copy video clip URL Tape ends.