    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [February 2, 2000]
    [Page 174]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Retirement of Representative Bruce F. Vento
    February 2, 2000

        I was saddened to learn that Representative Bruce Vento has been
    diagnosed with lung cancer and will retire from Congress at the end of
    the year. Since he was first elected to Congress in 1976, Bruce Vento
    has served the people of his Minnesota district with great distinction.
    A true champion of the environment, he has steered into law more than
    300 bills protecting our natural resources. He has also been a tireless
    advocate in combating homelessness.
        Bruce Vento has made a significant contribution to his country, not
    only as a United States Congressman but also as a Representative to the
    Minnesota State House and as a science and social studies teacher for 10
    years. He will be greatly missed by his colleagues in the House of
    Representatives and his constituents in Minnesota. Hillary and I wish he
    and his family the best as they work to fight this terrible disease. We
    look forward to his continued public service even after he retires from
    Congress.