March 28, 2006
Media contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

(Washington, DC) U.S. Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, issued the following statement today concerning the newly announced retirement plans of U.S. Congressman Lane Evans (D-Illinois), the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

"I was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1980, and Congressman Evans was elected to the House in 1982. During my 8 years in the House and during my years in the Senate, I have had the opportunity to repeatedly see Lane in action and work with him. He has always been a true statesman, a kind gentleman and a strong advocate for the people of Illinois.

"As a Vietnam-era member of the U.S. Marine Corps, Congressman Evans has been vibrant force in Congress for veterans."

Evans announced today that he will not seek reelection due to the difficulties caused by Parkinson's Disease.

For more reactions, see:

Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert Comments on Lane Evans Retirement  

House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Steve Buyer Lauds Lane Evans

Senator Dick Durbin's Statement on Congressman Lane Evans Decision to Retire 

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