THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 12, 1994 TAG: 9411120187
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY JOSEPH NEFF, NEWS & OBSERVER
DATELINE: WINGATE LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas made a pilgrimage to the spiritual home of Sen. Jesse Helms on Thursday to proclaim that he will never stray from his uncompromising and conservative views.
Thomas did not directly address a recent book by two Wall Street Journal reporters that asserts he may have lied during his heated 1991 confirmation hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee.
But in a speech at the Jesse Helms Center at Wingate College, with Helms at his side, Thomas promised he will march forward into the face of this and all hostile fire.
The 46-year-old justice has been unpopular among many black leaders for his conservative views scorning affirmative action.
Thomas talked of being ostracized and excoriated for standing up for his beliefs. He said he often prayed, ``God, make my views different.
``It was my hope that if my views changed, then the criticism would go away. Let this cup pass away from me.''
But the inner turmoil and prayer only strengthened his beliefs, he said.
``Are your beliefs worth your life?'' Thomas asked. ``Mine are.''
Thomas was preaching to the converted. An overflow audience, sprinkled with Republican notables including former U.S. attorneys Tom Ashcraft and Sam Currin, interrupted him several times with applause and said goodbye with a standing ovation.
Helms received a similar welcome as he introduced Thomas and testified to his character.
While Thomas did not mention the recent book or Anita Hill, his accuser at his confirmation hearings, Helms was not so shy.
``Millions of Americans, and senators, watched television and witnessed with disgust the vilification by hearsay of Clarence Thomas,'' Helms said. ``Senators piously professed to believe Anita Hill, and Sen. Kennedy, of all people, sitting in judgment of this man.''
At the mention of Kennedy's name, the crowd erupted in laughter and applause.
Helms blasted a recent ABC-TV special on the Thomas-Hill hearings and dismissed the recent book, ``Strange Justice: The Selling of Clarence Thomas.'' by CNB