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Smith must resign!

With the indictment Wednesday 9/28 of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R) Texas CD 22, it seems inevitable that the House Ethics Committee will face the responsibility of investigating DeLay’s questionable ethical activities and conduct.

Americans should demand that there be a fair and thorough investigation to insure the integrity of the House of Representatives and to provide full disclosure of the findings from an investigation.

To insure that such an investigation will not be limited or incomplete, I believe Lamar Smith must step down from his seat on the House Ethics Committee.

Lamar Smith has extremely close ties to Tom DeLay. He has been involved in fundraising efforts for TRMPAC, the DeLay front group that has been under investigation and is now facing indictment for funneling illegal corporate campaign contributions to Republican candidates in the Texas Legislature. Lamar Smith has contributed $10,000.00 to Tom DeLay’s legal defense fund. Lamar Smith took away a seat on the House Ethics Committee from a Republican who had voted to admonish Tom DeLay. Smith at a recent Town Hall Meeting in Austin Texas when asked about his support of Tom DeLay said “Tom DeLay is a friend of mine”. Recently under extreme pressure from the national media, when asked what he would do if Tom DeLay was brought before the Ethics Committee, Smith said he would recuse himself.
Recusing himself is not good enough. Smith must step down and allow an unprejudiced member of the House take the position, so that there will be a full committee effectively examining all the issues related to Tom DeLay’s questionable ethical activities and behavior.

Smith must not allow the honesty and integrity of the 21st District to be tarnished by even the hint of impropriety. I wonder if he understands that and will do the right thing?

Great to see you here on the Blog John!