Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 20, 1991                   TAG: 9102200599
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

OUTSPOKEN SENATOR ADMITS HIS QUIP WAS OUT OF LINE

The outspoken senator from the Eastern Shore acknowledged that a quip during a debate this month was among his most controversial utterances.

"In my 24 years I've pulled so many boo-boos, but this is probably the greatest," said Fears, 70. "This time I went too far."

The six-term lawmaker said that lowering the blood-alcohol limit for drunken drivers would take "all the sport out of drinking and driving."

Since then, Fears has been attacked in letters, telephone calls and newspaper editorials.

It wasn't the first time he's been criticized for his words.

The statements Fears acknowledges he has made include this comment on opposing a plan to prohibit oil drilling in Chesapeake Bay: "Oil spills don't happen very often" there.

And while waiting in the cloakroom during an opening prayer, he said, "I don't know if I'll go out there; it's probably just a rabbi."

Fears and some General Assembly colleagues say he's outspoken but means no harm.

"On the Shore, people understand that Bill Fears is Bill Fears, and they accept him on that basis," said Del. Robert Bloxom, R-Accomack.

"Make no mistake," said Sen. Richard Saslaw, D-Springfield, "he's a bright guy."

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