THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 1, 1996 TAG: 9608300696
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J6 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: 58 lines
Dear Voters of Virginia:
I have worked with Mark Warner to help solve the health care crisis in Virginia and was impressed with his ability to get things done and his vision for the future. There is no finer example of these two qualities than his work with the Foundation.
As the founding chair of the Virginia Health Care Foundation, a public-private partnership that now provides health care to 60,000 Virginians, he has been a driving force for providing primary health care to those who cannot afford it.
A few years ago, while the Washington politicians continually bickered about reforming our health care system, Mark Warner was making it happen here in the Commonwealth. Mark and other individuals involved realized that providing health care to the uninsured would take a different approach than a mandate from Washington or Richmond. They realized that the key to the solution was involving the local community, especially the business and non-profit communities.
Through his drive and commitment to make this innovative idea work, he took it to the governor and the General Assembly and secured seed money to get this innovative project moving. Through Mark's leadership, the Foundation involved business and nonprofit organizations at the local level to help solve local problems. In a few short years, people in over 45 communities in Virginia were receiving primary care.
The way Mark approached this problem really impressed me. He approached it with new ideas and a fresh vision. This approach is exactly what leads me to recommend him to be our next United States senator.
I believe that the old ideas received from career politicians have not worked. If Virginia wants new ideas and a fresh approach, then Mark Warner is your candidate. He has proven that he will not settle for the status quo. He has a solid record of innovative solutions.
Over the years, I have come to know Mark Warner on a personal level and found that he is a down-to-earth, caring person. Anyone who has met him will recognize the same characteristics. I can unequivocally say that Mark Warner will stay in touch with our Commonwealth in the role of United States senator. He will not be captured by the special interests or the Washington crowd. He will be a senator for Virginia. He has shown this by visiting every city and county in Virginia during this campaign season. These visits indicate to me how much he cares about our Commonwealth and how much he is willing to work as one of Virginia's senators.
Again, I highly recommend Mark Warner for the position of United States senator. His fresh thinking, commitment to solving problems and drive to improve our Commonwealth are traits that we need in a United States senator. Mark Warner is the best qualified person for this position.
Elnora D. Daniel MEMO: Elnora D. Daniel, Executive Vice President and Provost
Hampton University has been an educator for 28 years. Dr. Daniel and
Mark Warner have been associated with the Virginia Health Care
Foundation since the early 90's.
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE VIRGINIA CANDIDATES
MARK R. WARNER PUBLIC JOURNALISM by CNB