[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 62 (Tuesday, May 7, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H4441-H4442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     WHITEWATER INDEPENDENT COUNSEL SHOULD FOCUS ON THE JOB AT HAND

  (Mr. MEEHAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, the calls for Whitewater Independent Counsel 
Kenneth Starr to address concerns over his outside legal practice 
continue to mount. This weekend, former independent counsels--both 
Democrats and Republicans--added their voice to the chorus of concerned 
citizens questioning the judgment and independence of Mr. Starr.
  Lawrence Walsh, former judge and independent counsel for Iran Contra, 
said: ``The one excuse for an Independent Counsel is his independence * 
* * he can't be involved with anything that impairs his freedom of 
action.''
  And Gerald J. Gallinghouse, another Republican who investigated 
President Jimmy Carter said, ``He should either get in or get out.''
  Mr. Starr's investigation is now almost 2 years old and is costing 
the taxpayers about $1 million a month. At

[[Page H4442]]

the same time, Mr. Starr continues to maintain an enormous private 
legal practice which includes many of the President's fiercest 
political enemies. In fact, it seems that the only criteria is to be an 
enemy of the Clinton administration.
  The issue is perception and confidence. I call on Mr. Starr once 
again--put the private legal practice on hold and focus on the job at 
hand--the public deserves nothing less.

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