Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 16, 1995 TAG: 9501170093
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
When the GOP-controlled Congress was gaveled to order earlier this month, Warner picked up a new committee assignment: He became the first Virginian on the Senate Agriculture Committee since Harry Byrd Jr. sat on the panel in 1967-68.
This means Warner now is on three Senate committees, a perk of seniority for the third-termer.
He remains on the Senate Armed Service Committee, where he is second in rank behind Chairman Strom Thurmond of South Carolina, and is chairman of a subcommittee.
He also is on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, where he is chairman of the subcommittee that will be in charge of writing a national highway bill. That's a crucial position for Western Virginians who want to make sure there's funding for the proposed Interstate 73.
Intelligent move
U.S. Sen. Charles Robb, a Democrat, also picked up a new committee assignment. Already on the Armed Services Committee and the Foreign Relations Committee, Robb will add a seat on the Senate Intelligence Committee - making him the only member of Congress to serve on all three national security panels.
"The nexus of the three committees provides an interesting and unique opportunity in the areas of defense, foreign policy and national security," Robb said. "The importance to Virginia is obvious."
Virginia, with its concentration of military bases in Northern Virginia and Tidewater, receives more defense money per capita than any other state, he said.
In picking up the Intelligence seat, Robb gave up his post on the Commerce, Science and Technology Committee. But he said that doesn't mean he's lost his interest in high-tech research, "particularly as it relates to the information superhighway."
Working for the dream
Former Roanoke Mayor Noel Taylor on Wednesday will receive the Martin Luther King Jr. Award given annually by the church where he is pastor, High Street Baptist.
This is the fifth year the award has been given to a member of the community who has made outstanding contributions toward fulfilling King's dream of racial harmony.
Taylor, who has been pastor of High Street Baptist for 33 years, served four terms as Roanoke's mayor. During his tenure, he recommended the fair housing plan that the city adopted and an affirmative action program.
Taylor has been involved in numerous community organizations over the years.
by CNB