[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 15176]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          REPUBLICAN ATTACKS ON SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS ARE WRONG

  (Mr. ETHERIDGE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to defend the honor of my 
State's senior Senator. Last night on this floor, Republican Members 
attacked Senator John Edwards over his career as an attorney for 
ordinary people who have been wronged. The critics could not be more 
wrong.
  Growing up in the small town of Robbins, John Edwards learned the 
values of hard work and standing up for the little guy. He used those 
values in his profession as an outstanding legal mind to fight for 
folks who would turn to him as their last chance for justice.
  In North Carolina, we know well that John Edwards earned a reputation 
as the people's lawyer. The Raleigh News and Observer called him ``an 
avenging angel.'' The Charlotte Observer called him a ``powerful 
advocate for average North Carolinians. And the Wilmington Morning Star 
said, ``By background and occupation, Mr. Edwards seems inclined to 
take up for people who work hard and struggle against long odds.'' 
Others described him as a ``soft-spoken David who has done battle with 
the Goliaths'' on behalf of the little guy.
  Mr. Speaker, the Republicans are wrong to attack John Edwards. He has 
earned an outstanding record for leadership and service for the people 
of North Carolina. He will make a great Vice President.

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