[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 3 (Thursday, January 27, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: January 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             REPORTS OF HIS DEMISE ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED

  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. President, I rise on behalf of my very good friend, 
Senator John Warner, to correct in these official proceedings a very 
unfortunate statement in the January 24 edition of Roll Call. I 
normally find Roll Call to be an excellent source of news on the Hill. 
The paper strives to maintain high journalistic standards, and I 
thoroughly enjoy reading it.
  However, the report that John Warner may not run again was not 
accurate, and was clearly not well researched. Mr. President, I ask 
unanimous consent to insert into the Record a letter from Senator 
Warner to Roll Call, which was printed in the January 27 edition of 
that newspaper.
  Senator Warner's letter corrects the erroneous report in Roll Call, 
and cites the famous Mark Twain quote that ``The reports of his demise 
are greatly exaggerated.''
  Senator John Warner is a great and dear personal friend of mine. He 
serves his State and Nation with great distinction in the U.S. Senate. 
He has many fine attributes, but I have never heard anyone say that he 
is retiring. He is anything but!
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                 Washington, DC, January 25, 1994.
     The Editor, Roll Call,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Editor: In the immortal words of Mark Twain, ``Reports 
     of my demise are greatly exaggerated.''
       On January 24, 1994, without any attempt to contact me or 
     my office to verify some rumor, you circulated this story on 
     Capitol Hill: ``associates say Virginia Sen. John Warner may 
     not run again.''
       This is wrong. Your readers have been misled.
       On April 30, 1993, I publicly announced by intention to 
     seek re-election. That announcement was made at the annual 
     convention of the Virginia Federation of Republican Women 
     (VFRW) and was carried accurately by the Virginia wire 
     services.
       On November 3, 1993, I reiterated my intention in a press 
     release and added that, ``as has always been my practice, I 
     welcome all challengers.''
       Following the 1994 Senate election, I will formally confirm 
     my candidacy and ``welcome all challengers.''
       I have recently taken public positions that the Republican 
     Party of Virginia has the responsibility to consider a full 
     range of candidates for the U.S. Senate race. Our Republican 
     convention should not just march in ``lock-step'' to Oliver 
     North.
       Political parties have an obligation, in my judgment, to 
     offer to the general electorate only their ``finest.'' At the 
     polls, the voter, most often, has no choice other than the 
     nominees put forward by the Democrats and Republicans.
       Further, I firmly believe that my party, the Republican 
     party, should offer only candidates with mature judgment, 
     with records of proven accomplishments in the private or 
     public sector, and with unquestioned character and integrity. 
     Voters will place trust, confidence and cast their votes for 
     such candidates.
       I always put Virginia's best interests before my own 
     political interests. I recognize that my positions have 
     provoked some disagreement within Republican ranks, but that 
     is the price of leadership.
       My positions, however, provide no basis for leaping to a 
     story suggesting I intend to retire. The simple courtesy of 
     trying to contact me, or my office, is the least owed to 
     those in public office. The public looks to you for accuracy, 
     credibility, just as they look to me.
       The voters of Virginia will decide when it is time for me 
     to retire, not some anonymous ``associates.''
       With kind regards, I am
           Sincerely,
     John Warner.

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