Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, April 21, 1995 TAG: 9504210092
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-16 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: STEPHEN FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Never before had so many people - 218 - turned out to dine at the banquet, held at The Farmhouse on Wednesday, said the chamber's executive director, Kathy Mantz. Never before had the event turned political, as it did when several Interstate 73 protesters waved signs outside the restaurant and spoke to Warner about his support for the highway to run through Montgomery County and Roanoke.
Warner, who agreed to speak at the banquet but whose scheduling problems forced two delays, thanked Mantz for delaying the banquet until Congress had finished its session.
"Frankly it's a relief to get out of politics ... and to listen to those people who are trying to make the community stronger economically" and improve its quality of life, said Warner, who is facing a struggle this fall to keep the seat he has held for 17 years.
He then launched into a discussion of the nature of politics and the Republican agenda.
"We're cleaning up the act," said Warner, saying Republicans are cutting back on staff and will work to cut pensions. "I consider it a privilege and honor to be a public servant ... and we don't need so many perks of office."
He spoke of the "Contract with America" as fast-becoming bi-partisan supported, but acknowledged the Democrats' right to use filibusters to battle certain points - a tactic Republicans used when they were in the minority.
"It is vital that the minority power have the right to unlimited debate," Warner said, even if that right leads to the defeat of a Warner-supported measure such as the "striker-replacement" bill that would have let companies hire workers to replace striking employees.
Warner said his biggest disappointment of the past session was the one-vote defeat of a balanced-budget amendment. If the budget is not balanced, "this country is headed for bankruptcy," he said.
Warner commented on the reasoning for his support of I-73 being run along the route put forth by the Commonwealth Transportation Board.
"This is a corridor which is a powerful economic corridor in this state," said Warner, chairman of a subcommittee that will write the Senate's version of a National Highway System bill. I-73 will bring more business to the Roanoke Regional Airport and improve twisting U.S. 220 as it runs toward Martinsville, he said.
An ex-sailor, Marine and secretary of the Navy, he also spoke on the need to stop cutting funds for the U.S. military. While stressing that U.S. armed forces shouldn't be sent abroad unless a threat directly jeopardizes U.S. interests, he said, "This world is becoming a very dangerous one. Far more, in my judgment, than when I came to the Senate."
He cited as examples the situation of nuclear experts from the former Soviet Union selling their expertise to the highest bidder, the uncertainty surrounding nuclear proliferation - and the bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City Wednesday morning.
by CNB