Based on remarks made by Rep. John Shimkus on the House floor in June 2004, it is possible that Rep. Mark Foley was in line to be the chairman of the Page Board.

On June 3, 2004, Rep. Foley and Rep. Shimkus were thanking that year's graduating page class for their services:

[Rep Foley speaking]: "....God bless you. I wish you well, have a great life, and thank you for your service to this Congress.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his chance to share with you.

Did he not mention that maybe it might be your high privilege and honor to be the chairman of the Page Board some year? He always leaves that off. I do not know why that is."

Technically the grammar makes it possible that Rep. Shimkus is refering to the Speaker Pro Tempore.  But what is more likely, given the context, was that Rep. Shimkus said, in essence: "Mr Speaker...Mr. Foley always leaves off...[turns to Foley] that you might be chairman of the Page Board one day." So this one might require video.

As we know from ABC News, Republican leadership knew about Foley for 5 years.  But a little over 2 years ago it is possible that he was being considered to chair the House Page Board.   Which to me is unbelievable.

The official site to the above Congressional Record page is 150 Cong Rec H 3750.  The link to the GPO site is here.

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Based on remarks made by Rep. John Shimkus on the House floor in June 2004, it is possible that Rep. Mark Foley was in line to be the chairman of the Page Board.

On June 3, 2004, Rep. Foley and Rep. Shimkus were thanking that year's graduating page class for their services:

[Rep Foley speaking]: "....God bless you. I wish you well, have a great life, and thank you for your service to this Congress.

Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague for his chance to share with you.

Did he not mention that maybe it might be your high privilege and honor to be the chairman of the Page Board some year? He always leaves that off. I do not know why that is."

Technically the grammar makes it possible that Rep. Shimkus is refering to the Speaker Pro Tempore. But what is more likely, given the context, was that Rep. Shimkus said, in essence: "Mr Speaker...Mr. Foley always leaves off...[turns to Foley] that you might be chairman of the Page Board one day." So this one might require video.

As we know from ABC News, Republican leadership knew about Foley for 5 years.  But a little over 2 years ago it is possible that he was being considered to chair the House Page Board.   Which to me is unbelievable.

The official site to the above Congressional Record page is 150 Cong Rec H 3750.  The link to the GPO site is here.

There's more...

Bumped from the diaries -- Jonathan

Here are two select passages from Foley's farewell on the House floor to the departing page class of 2001-2002.

The telling (in hindsight) passages are in bold.

"Mr. SHIMKUS. I thank my colleague. Now someone who spends a lot of time with you also, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Foley), would like to say a thank you.

Mr. FOLEY. I warn all of you not to cry in front of me, please, so I can get through this very important day with you without shedding tears as well....

And, of course, Melanie, and finally John [redacted]. John was the highest bidder on lunch with Mark Foley. Maybe you all do not know this story, but John had paid considerable sums to dine with  me. I had offered to take the winning bidder to lunch in the Members' dining room. Then I heard how much John [redacted] paid. And I said, ``John, there is no way in the world after you committed so much money to have lunch with me that I would dare take you downstairs to eat in the Members' dining room.'' I said, ``Where do you want to go?'' He says, without reservation, ``Morton's.'' I said, ``Morton's? Like in Morton's Steakhouse?'' He said, ``Oh, would that be too much?'' I said, ``Oh, no, we'll go.'' I said, ``Call your mother, get permission, make sure she notifies the Clerk and we will go to Morton's.'' And so we proceeded to cruise down in my BMW to Morton's."

Full transcript:

http://www.washingtonwatchdog.org/enviro nmental_justice/documents/cr/02/jn/06/cr 06jn02-89.html

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