Well ladies and gentlemen, this should be an interesting phone call. As one of my staff members said, this should give new meaning to the phrase "Doolittle's raiders."
I'm going to open with this statement about this subject of greatest interest. And I think you can understand this is just going to have to understand that this is going to have to suffice for now since this has been checked by our attorneys. But it expresses my thoughts. And I assure you there will be more interesting things to come in the future.
I know you have questions about this week's events, and I understand and appreciate your interest in asking them. However I have been advised by my attorney not to make any further public statements other than those that I have already released and the one I shall now make.
First I would like you to know I have no intention of resigning from Congress and I have every intention of running for reelection again. Over past last two days the support I have received from colleagues in the House and elected officials from my district has been overwhelming. I am honored to serve with such fine people whose faith in me has not wavered. Julie and I also appreciate the outpouring of love and support from our friends and supporters.
As difficult as this week has been, I do I do believe that the events that have transpired will bring more immediate closure do to this situation, which is a good thing. Our family and my constituents have been dealing with this situation for more than three years now and I think we all deserve a resolution to it soon. Julie has complied with every request that has ever been made of her. And while I do not think the search of our home was necessary, I do believe that it will demonstrate that she has been completely forthcoming and has had real clients with real work.
As I stated yesterday I felt my temporarily stepping down from the Appropriations Committee was appropriate under these circumstances. I approached Minority Leader Boehner about my decision and he agreed that it was a good idea. The notion that I was forced to make this decision is a misstatement. I have every intention of serving again as a member of the appropriations committee and hopefully I will be able to resume those duties soon.
Despite my temporary absences form the appropriations committee, I will continue to perform my duties as the representative of the Fourth District to the best of my abilities. I will continue to return to my district to meet with my constituents and fulfill my commitment I made to them to be more accessible and responsive. I will work hard to make sure important projects in my district are funded this year, and that transportation, water projects and flood control efforts that are so critical to the region are completed.
I have been an effective representative for the region and shall continue to be one despite this situation. Finally I will just say that if there is anything we should have learned from the Duke lacrosse case, it is that the destruction of the reputations of innocent people can occur when the government, the press and the public jump to unfounded conclusions. I ask everyone to withhold judgment until the all facts are known and the truth can prevail.
