THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 6, 1996 TAG: 9611060380
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Decision 96
SOURCE: By Tom Holden, Staff writer
LENGTH: 83 lines
Later this winter, Rep. Owen B. Pickett will settle down with the Defense Authorization Bill for fiscal year 1998-99 and decide if it matches the needs of the region's military bases.
The annual bill marks an important point for the region's dozen military bases because it is there that Congress agrees on the programs it will support for the nation's defense.
Once the defense bill is approved, Congress moves to the appropriations bill, which pays for the programs and paychecks that are central to this region's economy and the nation's defense needs.
These bills are among the key responsibilities of the congressman from Virginia's 2nd District, and on Tuesday voters saw in Pickett an ally they liked and returned him to Washington.
Pickett defeated first-time challenger John F. Tate, director of the National Right to Work Committee's Telecommunications Center.
As Pickett made his way though the victory party crowd at the Comfort Inn-Airport Tuesday night, Travis Beck, an 18-year-old Virginia Beach resident, gushed, ``My whole family voted for you!''
``Thanks,'' Pickett said.
Another supporter, Romy San Antonio of Norfolk, presented the congressman with an American flag tie, which Pickett promptly put to use, pulling off the tie around his neck and dressing up in the Stars and Stripes.
Pickett ran a subdued campaign, relying on his moderate record, which, he said, was what mattered most to voters in the 119 precincts in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. The victory returns the Virginia Beach resident to Congress for a sixth term.
He said his first priority in defense matters is to ensure adequate funding that will keep the bases ``fully mission capable.''
``In personnel, we're looking at staying where we are now,'' Pickett said in an earlier interview. ``But in the area of weapons systems, we're looking for something more. For example, the F/A-18E and F series of fighters for the Navy are not in production yet, but they need to be brought online as soon as possible.''
Pickett, who eschews labels but is widely considered to be a conservative Democrat, said a second key priority is maintaining the strength of the region's ports.
Port activity is a complex affair involving layers of the federal government that include the Coast Guard, U.S. Customs Service, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
``Like it or not, the federal government is heavily involved in the nation's ports,'' he said. ``There is a continual effort to fine-tune their efforts to reflect current needs. I usually start off each session by meeting with the Hampton Roads Maritime Association, Customs, Immigration and so forth, to talk about port needs.''
While there are no current issues before Congress relating to ports, Pickett said there are ``ongoing issues'' that need attention. Many ports require occasional dredging and input from the Army Corps of Engineers.
Pickett also said the nation must continue working toward a balanced federal budget. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LAWRENCE JACKSON, The Virginian-Pilot
"When this campaign started, people said I had nothing to worry
about, but I have learned to take nothing for granted, and that's
why we are celebrating a victory tonight.'' - Rep. Owen B. Pickett
on election night.
Graphic
PICKETT'S PRIORITIES
Military: Ensure adequate funding for the region's bases to keep
them ``fully mission capable.'' Push for faster deployment of
advanced F/A-18E and F/A-18F series attack planes.
Regional ports: Continue regular meetings with the Hampton Roads
Maritime Association, U.S. Customs Service, Immigration and
Naturalization Service and the Army Corps of Engineers to ensure
that matters affecting the region's ports receive coordinated and
appropriate care.
Education: Favors increased funding for vocational education,
school-to-work and apprenticeship programs, which tend to combine
schooling with on-the-job training and work experience. Does not
foresee an expanded role for the federal government in public school
issues.
KEYWORDS: CONGRESSIONAL RACE VIRGINIA ELECTION VIRGINIA
RESULTS SECOND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT by CNB