ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, September 2, 1996 TAG: 9609030084
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
Dear Fellow Virginians:
AS VIRGINIANS, we share a common heritage. And as we approach the start of a new century, we also share a knowledge that our Commonwealth faces new and difficult challenges. We cannot continue to put our faith in old solutions and tired ideas. Virginians need a Senator with new plans and fresh energy - someone who understands the challenges facing everyday Virginians - someone who will represent the interests of working families in a changing world by supporting Medicare, fighting for education and sponsoring real reform of the political process. I will be that Senator.
I grew up in a middle-class home. I am the product of public schools and I was the first in my family to graduate from college. I had a scholarship and I worked part-time - but I never would have made it without the help of student loans.
My parents taught me the values of hard work, responsibility and perseverance. My church taught me compassion and tolerance. Fourteen years ago, everything I owned fit in the back seat of my 1965 Buick - but I was given the opportunity to succeed. I know what hard work and a dream can do.
I have been able to live the American Dream. And I want to make that dream real and possible for every Virginian.
During the past 11 weeks, I have traveled to every county and city in the Commonwealth - all 135 of them. Although I wasn't seeing any of these localities for the first time, I learned a great deal from the people I met. I spent every day listening to the concerns of Virginians, discussing their hopes for the future and the challenges we face together. And Virginians have told me that the politics of yesterday won't solve tomorrow's problems. They know that we need new ideas to protect our seniors, prepare our children for the jobs of the future and reform our political process.
Because our population is aging, more and more families will be caring for older relatives. That's why Virginia needs a Senator who will fight to protect Medicare - not cut it by $270 billion as the politicians in Washington tried to do last year.
I know that Medicare faces tough fiscal times and I will work harder than anyone in the United States Senate to preserve it. But I will not support the politically expedient solution of financing a tax break for the wealthiest Americans by cutting out the safety net for our seniors.
In my travels around the Commonwealth, Virginia's families have also told me about the challenges facing our children and college students. The workplace is changing--more jobs require technical knowledge like the ability to use computers.
As Virginia's next Senator, I will steadfastly support the foundation of our diverse economy - our defense industries, agribusiness and the traditional manufacturing base. But I will also make certain that as the industries of the future develop, Virginians will have opportunities for better jobs and a better way of life.
Virginia has the opportunity to be at the forefront of the new economy if we have leaders who understand the way that our economy is changing. From the fiber optic network of Roanoke and the research and development centers of Hampton Roads, to the information technology companies of Northern Virginia, our Commonwealth has the resources to harness the power of new technology for an unprecedented economic expansion in all parts of Virginia. I have created jobs in the high-tech field and I run a business that competes internationally. I can be a leader for the information age of the 21st century.
So I will oppose cuts in education like those passed by Congress last year, and I would not have voted for the plan to slash education funding by $40 billion. I would never have voted for such a plan.
Instead, I support making sure that every eligible child has the chance to go to Head Start and get prepared for school. I believe we must make higher education more affordable for middle class families, so I have proposed tax breaks for college tuition and vocational training. I believe we cannot afford to cut student loans by $10 billion as the politicians in Washington have proposed, so I will fight for the student loan program. And I know that we must provide better technical and professional training for those students who don't go on to college, so I would support an increased role for businesses in providing our students with real-world job training.
Finally, Virginians have told me that we need to end the grip of special interest money on the political process. I have pledged not to accept special interest PAC money during my campaign, and I will work for real campaign finance reform like the bipartisan bill rejected by the Senate earlier this year. That bill would have limited special interest money and increased the influence of average Americans on the electoral process. I would have voted for that bill, not opposed it like the politicians in Washington. And because I believe public service is an honor and not a career, I have pledged to serve only two terms in the Senate and I will never accept, or vote for, a Congressional pay raise.
Virginians have a choice in this year's Senate election. Which candidate best understands and represents the interests of working families in a changing world? As Thomas Jefferson once said, "I prefer the dreams of the future to the history of the past." Because I believe I can represent Virginian's dreams of the future, I ask you to hire me as your next United States Senator.
LENGTH: Medium: 95 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Mark Warner. color. KEYWORDS: POLITIC CONGRESSby CNB