THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 30, 1996 TAG: 9610300408
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Decision '96
SOURCE: BY TOM HOLDEN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 87 lines
At the close of Washington's work week, the congressman from the 2nd District of Virginia skips the mad rush to National Airport, folds his lanky frame into a Ford Bronco, points it south on I-95, and lumbers home.
If time allows, he will do this every weekend.
Ask him why he doesn't fly and Owen B. Pickett, a Democrat, will say it's faster to drive. Press the matter, and he might point to the mule's collar that hangs in his Virginia Beach office.
``This represents reality. This,'' he says, pointing to a wall full of plaques and awards, ``represents perception. The reality in life is that you get what you work for.''
Few comments come as close as this one to shedding light on who Pickett is. He does not care much for fancy speeches or flowery language. He prefers the steady measured words of a certified public accountant, which he happens to be, or the conservative jargon of a real estate lawyer, which he also is.
When asked about complex national issues, Pickett does not toss off sound-bite phrases that ring the ear brightly. Ask about the national debt and be prepared to hear an answer - a lengthy one.
He is, in short, a technician living in a politician's world. And for nine years his careful approach to governance has earned enough confidence in voters to give him five terms in Washington. Judging by his re-election campaign's data, the polls show that he might make that trip down I-95 again next year.
Pickett is a careful man who enjoys his work. He shuns labels, refusing to call himself conservative, liberal or anything in between.
``They don't mean anything. I'm not extreme in either direction,'' he said.
He is strikingly dispassionate about a job that sometimes taxes his patience. Close associates say Pickett may have liked his job in the Virginia General Assembly, where he served from 1972 to 1986, more than his job in Washington, if only because it was more fulfilling.
In Richmond, an appropriations bill is simply that: a bill to spend money. In Washington, an appropriations bill may also contain language on golf courses, an arts center in Florida and a prohibition on abortion.
Because of constitutional matters, there is no limit to what a bill can contain or the ability of a U.S. Senator to block the entire process. And that has always bothered Pickett, even if he cannot do much about it.
``A certain amount of frustration is inevitable,'' Pickett said. ``Anyone who tells you that it can be eliminated just doesn't understand the process.''
Given the chance to speak, he will oblige, but what he says is often not memorable. Recently, in a speech before the Hampton Roads Foreign Commerce Club, Pickett spoke not in generalities about the need to expand foreign markets - a favorite theme among many national leaders - but about the tonnage of freight that moved through Hampton Roads last year.
His plodding aside, Pickett says his greatest accomplishment of his current term was to save Oceana Naval Air Station from the Defense Department's consolidation efforts last year. Under Pickett's guidance, a coalition of civic, city and community leaders, including many former base commanders, helped convince military planners that Oceana was instrumental.
After current A-6 Intruder squadrons are retired from service and other adjustments are made, Oceana will be host to a total of 12 F-14 squadrons, 10 F/A-18 squadrons and one Fleet Composite Squadron of adversary training aircraft.
Oceana, which at its peak in 1989 had 363 aircraft and 12,473 personnel, currently is at 181 aircraft and 8,069 personnel because of drawdowns mandated by Congress since 1990.
When the moves are complete in the early spring of 1999, the base will be slightly larger than it was in 1989. Projections call for 374 aircraft and 13,003 personnel to be assigned to Oceana by then.
``It took place over two years, and it was not just a slash with a sword and a stroke of genius. It took persistence. And that's what I tell high school students,'' he said, switching to a favorite topic. ``All they need is discipline and persistence. If you can manage those two characteristics, then you'll do well.''
Paul Sutton, the owner of an auto body repair shop in Virginia Beach, has known Pickett for years. Their time together dates to the days when both were members of the Shriners, and their mutual interest in boating led them to the Annapolis Boat Show to pine away for the finer water craft that neither could afford.
``He's more vibrant now than he's ever been,'' Sutton said. ``I know it's hard to believe, but it's true. Owen doesn't come naturally to excitement. But he's a good man who sticks up for himself.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo by Charlie Meads/The Virginian-Pilot
Rep. Owen B. Pickett
KEYWORDS: PROFILE CANDIDATE U.S. CONGRESSIONAL RACE
ELECTION ISSUE by CNB