Mn. GOP Rep. Kline stalls naming VA facility for Wellstone!

[MnFats]

Posted on Sat, Oct. 23, 2004


www.twincities.com


Kline, GOP stall Wellstone tribute

Lawmaker wants VA center named for 'real war hero'

BY FREDERIC J. FROMMER

Associated Press


WASHINGTON — Two years after Sen. Paul Wellstone died in a plane crash, legislation to rename the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center for him has languished on Capitol Hill because of objections from some Minnesota Republicans.

Rep. John Kline, a Republican from Lakeville, has led the opposition, arguing that the hospital should be named instead for a "real war hero."

The bill, which would rename the hospital the Paul Wellstone Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, was introduced by Sen. Bob Graham, D-Fla., and Rep. Betty McCollum, D-St. Paul, as a way to pay tribute to Wellstone's work on behalf of veterans.

"Certainly, Senator Wellstone deserves honor and recognition as a U.S. senator from Minnesota," said Kline, noting that a community center in St. Paul has been named for Wellstone and his wife, Sheila, who also died in the crash.

"But we're talking about a VA center. It seems to me that Senator Wellstone was a senator who couldn't find his way to supporting defense budgets and had some reputation as an anti-war protester. And while it's certainly his place to do that, it seems to me that a VA center ought to be named for a veteran who is a real war hero."

Monday is the second anniversary of the plane crash that killed the Wellstones, their daughter, Marcia Markuson, and five other people.

on edit, here is contact info:

Contact Information
Washington, DC
1429 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone] District

in district:
101 West Burnsville Pkwy. Ste. #201
Burnsville, MN 55337
phone: [phone]
fax: [phone]

Toll Free: 888-808-6644

[Lindacooks]

1. I hate Kline with a passion.

He is such a little weasel. I sure hope Teresa Daly can pound him Nov. 2.