[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 23, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1799-S1800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      DEPOSITION OF VERNON JORDAN IN THE SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRIAL

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I regret to have to return to an unfinished 
aspect of the Senate impeachment trial of President Clinton.
  On February 2, I attended the deposition of Vernon Jordan as one of 
the Senators designated to serve as presiding officers. On February 4, 
the Senate approved the House Managers' motion to include a portion of 
that deposition in the trial record. Unfortunately, the House Managers 
moved to include only a portion of the videotaped deposition in the 
trial record and left the rest hidden from the public and subject to 
the confidentiality rules that governed those proceedings.
  On Saturday, February 6, at the conclusion of his presentation, Mr. 
Kendall asked for permission to display the last segment of the 
videotaped deposition of Vernon Jordan, in which, as Mr. Kendall 
described it ``Mr. Jordan made a statement defending his own 
integrity.'' The House Managers objected to the playing of the 
approximately 2-minute segment of the deposition that represented Mr. 
Jordan's ``own statement about his integrity.''
  I then rose to request unanimous consent from the Senate that the 
segment of the videotaped deposition be allowed to be shown on the 
Senate floor to the Senate and the American people. There was objection 
from the Republican side.
  I noted my disappointment at the time and in my February 12 remarks 
about the depositions. After the conclusion of the voting on the 
Articles of Impeachment and before the adjournment of the court of 
impeachment, unanimous consent was finally granted to include the 
``full written transcripts'' of the depositions in the public record of 
the trial. As far as I can tell, however, the statement of integrity by 
Mr. Jordan has yet to be published in the Congressional Record.
  I regret that the Senate chose to prohibit the viewing of the 
videotape of

[[Page S1800]]

this powerful personal statement during the trial. I regret that it 
continues to be restricted from public viewing.
  In order to be sure that the transcript that is being made a part of 
the public trial record is readily available to the public, I ask 
unanimous consent that the following portion of the written transcript 
of the deposition of Vernon Jordan, that containing his statement of 
integrity heretofore suppressed, be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       The Witness. Mr. Chairman, may I be just permitted a moment 
     of personal privilege? I don't know about the rules here, but 
     uh, I'd like to say something if you would permit.
       Mr. Hutchinson. Mr. Chairman----
       Senator Thompson. Well, Mr. Jordan, quite frankly, it 
     depends on what the subject matter is and what you'd like----
       The Witness. Well, it won't be a declaration of war. 
     [Laughter.]
       Senator Thompson. Counsel, did you have----
       Mr. Hutchinson. I would reserve the objection. I think 
     that's permissible under the rules. So I would state my 
     objection, let him answer it, and if--we can debate that if 
     it becomes an issue in the Senate. I'd like to reserve the 
     objection.
       Senator Thompson. All right.
       The Witness. It's just something I want you, Mr. 
     Hutchinson, and the House Managers to understand about Vernon 
     Jordan. And that is, you know, it's a very long way from the 
     first public housing project in this country for black 
     people, where I grew up. It's a long way from there to a 
     corner office at Akin Gump. It's a long way from University 
     Homes to the corporate board rooms of America. It's a long 
     way from University Homes to the Oval Office. And I have made 
     that journey understanding one thing, and that is that the 
     only thing I have in this world that belongs to me is fee 
     simple absolute, completely and totally, is my integrity.
       My corner office at Akin Gump is at best tenuous. My house, 
     my home, is at best tenuous. My bank account, my stocks and 
     my bonds, they are ultimately of no moment.
       But what matters most to me, and what was taught to me by 
     my mother, is that the only thing that I own totally and 
     completely is my integrity. And my integrity has been on 
     trial here, and I want to tell you that nothing is more 
     important to me than that.
       The Presdient is my friend. He was before this happened, he 
     is now, and he will be when this is over. But he is not a 
     friend in that I have no friends for whom I would sacrifice 
     my integrity. And I want you to understand that.
       Senator Thompson. Thank you, Mr. Jordan.
       If there is no further question, then this deposition is 
     completed, and we stand adjourned.
       The  Witness. Thank you.

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