NEWS: CONGRESSMAN LANE EVANS
(17TH DISTRICT - ILLINOIS)                                             
VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE, RANKING MEMBER                                 
ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE
2211 Rayburn Office Building-Washington, D.C. 20515  Tel: 202-225-5905

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TUESDAY, MARCH 28, 2006

 STATEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN LANE EVANS ON FUTURE PLANS

"This is a tough day for me.  I am announcing that I will not run for reelection and will retire at the end of my current term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

When I announced in 1998 that I had Parkinson's Disease, my doctor said that this condition would not interfere with my work and that I would be able to perform at a high level for a number of years.  That window of opportunity is now closing.

I fully expected that I would continue my work for the foreseeable future following this current break from the office.  But I have come to recognize that the time needed to address my health makes it difficult to wage a campaign and carry out my work as representative.  I will return soon and to the best of my ability complete the important work of this term in my roles as representative and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

This decision is especially tough because this job means so much to me.  I believe strongly in serving people and working to make a positive difference in their lives.  Every day has been rewarding and I'm proud of what I've been able to accomplish and the fights I've made.

I thank my family and everyone who has worked with me --  great friends, terrific colleagues, a dedicated staff, fellow vets.  And I appreciate the support of people I never met before who would ask how I was doing and tell me to keep up the good fight.  I'll be doing that in the weeks and months ahead and look forward to thanking every one of you personally for all you have meant to me.

To my constituents and veterans across this country, it is an honor and privilege to represent you."

Semper Fi,

Lane

CONGRESSMAN LANE EVANS - CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Spearheaded successful effort to pass legislation compensating Vietnam Veterans for diseases linked to exposure to Agent Orange.
• Won passage of law that delivers health and compensation benefits to children of veterans exposed to Agent Orange who were born with spina bifida, a crippling birth defect. It represented the first time children of veterans received government benefits.
• Led efforts to expand services to women veterans, pushed for increased help for vets suffering from Post-Traumatic Disorder, and crafted legislation to direct services to the large numbers of homeless veterans.
• Became Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs in 1995.
• Chief House sponsor of legislation to ban use of antipersonnel landmines.
• In recognition of his legislative leadership, Cong. Evans in 1990 was awarded the Vietnam Veterans of America's first annual President's Award for Outstanding Achievement. In 1994, he received the AMVET's Silver Helmet Award, called the "Oscar" of veterans honors.