Saturday, September 30, 2006

Joint Statement from Speaker Hastert, Majority Leader Boehner and Majority Whip Blunt on Congressman Foley Matter

To: National Desk

Contact: Ron Bonjean or Lisa C. Miller, 202-225-2800,
both of the Office of Dennis Hastert

WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Speaker of the
House J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL), Majority Leader John
Boehner (R-OH), and Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO)
today released the following joint statement on the
Congressman Mark Foley matter:

"Members of Congress are given the trust of the
American people who have elected them to office. They
are expected to live up to the highest standard by
those who send them to our nation's Capitol.

"The improper communications between Congressman Mark
Foley and former House Congressional pages is
unacceptable and abhorrent. It is an obscene breach of
trust. His immediate resignation must now be followed
by the full weight of the criminal justice system.

"It is our responsibility to ensure that the students
in the Page Program are as safe in the nation's
Capitol as they are in their own homes. While we have
gone to great lengths to create a safe environment for
House Pages, we must do more and we must also consider
ways to protect them after they leave.

"We have asked the House Page Board to undertake a
full review of the incident and propose additional
safeguard measures. We have also asked for the
creation of a toll-free telephone number for House
Pages, parents, grandparents, and staff to
confidentially report incidents of concern.

"In addition, we have asked the Committee on Standards
to consider and recommend specific rules governing
communications and contacts between Members and House
Pages."

http://www.usnewswire.com/

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/© 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/

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