[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 5 (Monday, February 7, 2000)]
[Page 214]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.