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Obama Statement on the Retirement of Illinois Congressman Lane Evans

Tuesday, March 28, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Washington Contact: Robert Gibbs or Tommy Vietor, (202) 228-5511
Illinois Contact: Julian Green, (312) 886-3506
Date: March 28, 2006

Obama Statement on the Retirement of Illinois Congressman Lane Evans

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today issued the following statement about the retirement of Illinois Congressman Lane Evans:

"I don't know many people who are more courageous than Lane Evans. Throughout his career, he has worked tirelessly on behalf of the people of Illinois and on behalf of veterans across this country despite extraordinarily challenging physical ailments.

"He was one of the first in Congress to speak out about some of the health problems facing Persian Gulf War veterans and has fought for benefits for them ever since.

"He has fought to expand benefits to women veterans. He's worked to help those veterans suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, and he's also helped to make sure there is a roof over the head of the thousands of homeless veterans in our country today.

"He is one of the most gracious, best humored and hardest working people that I've ever had the pleasure to know. I consider him not only a dear friend, but I also believe that had it not been for his early support in my campaign, that I would not be a member of the U.S. Senate today. I think his decision to retire is an enormous loss for the U.S. Congress, but I know that all of us here will continue to draw inspiration from Lane Evans, and I know that he will continue to be my dear friend for years to come."