Representative John Spratt, Proudly serving the People of the 5th District of South Carolina image of Capitol

News Release

10/04/06
 
Spratt Statement on Rep. Mark Foley
 

WASHINGTON - U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) issued the following statement on Rep. Mark Foley.

“When parents send their children to Washington to be pages, they count on Members of Congress as their guardians and protectors away from home.  I have sponsored several pages in my time in Congress, and I take this protective role very seriously.

“The revelations about Congressman Foley are disturbing not just for their depravity, but as a betrayal of that parental trust.  That the Republican leadership knew of his obsession with male pages, and yet did nothing, makes this situation all the more unbelievable.

“Congressman Foley’s behavior was outrageous and indefensible and should have been reported immediately to the Ethics Committee and the Page Board.  I do not know how the Republican leadership can possibly account for the minor admonition they gave Congressman Foley or the cover up of these lurid facts.”

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