Congressman runs, raises funds for cancer

Congressman Steve Buyer, R-5th is running 225 miles across his district to raise money for the Cancer Research Foundation of America while getting to know the people he represents.\nBefore speaking Monday evening in Woodburn Hall in a speech sponsored by IU College Republicans, Buyer ran more than 10 miles to Bloomington.\nHis only complaint was that "it is practically all uphill from Martinsville to Bloomington." \n"What a great way to learn your new congressional district than run though it?" Buyer said.\nWith donations from individuals and major corporate sponsors, the run that began Aug. 4 in Monticello, Ind. has raised $35,000. \nBuyer has 25 miles until he reaches his final destination in Bedford.\nOpening his speech, Buyer stressed the importance of virtues and values that lead a nation. Character and keeping ones word are important, Buyer said.\n"In the Congress, when you have such a very small circle, your word is your honor and your bond," he said.\nIn speaking about the Sept. 11 attacks, Buyer related the attitude of Washington, D.C. to the audience.\n"The mood and tenor in D.C. on that day and after was sounder," he said. "It was serious."\nBuyer referred to the usually "sunny blue skies" of D.C. on the day of the attack.\n"The black smoke billowing across the Potomac was a very strange sight to see."\nBuyer also gave his support to President Bush.\n"I am almost humored by my Democratic colleagues who say, 'Boy am I glad George Bush is president.' I say, 'Me too.'"\nBuyer agrees with President Bush that the war on terrorism will "take time and require patience."\nWhen questioned on the use of federal employees in airports, Buyer said the House does not approve of providing security through federal employees. The Senate is in support of federal employees in the airports, he said. Buyer said the House is not interested in a growing government, although it is concerned with security.\nAfter his speech he dismissed media reports that claimed he called for nuclear weapons in response to terrorism.\n"There is such stigma with the word nuclear," Buyer said. "People react with their emotions before receiving knowledge."\nBuyer said some media took his words out of context and did not do their research.\nAs a Gulf War veteran and a Lt. Col. in the Army Reserves, Buyer serves as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Military Personnel. He stressed the importance of discussion on American policy.\n"I'm not advocating the use of nuclear weapons," he said. "I'm for defining the limits of American policy." \nIn closing his speech, Buyer referred back to his earlier statement that people should get facts on a subject before forming an opinion.\n"We have opinions and can voice our opinions based on knowledge," he said.\nCollege Republicans member and senior Zach Wending said the speech was informative and reassuring.\n"The speech was really helpful for college students to get an inside perspective on Washington right now," Wending said.