July 29, 1994 - Part 2
July 29, 1994 - Part 2
(12:30:11) The CHAIRMAN. Thank you very much. Let me now call to the witness table Dr. Charles Hirsch, chief medical examiner of the city of New York; Mr. Larry Monroe, special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and Mr. William Colombell, who is a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Senator KERRY, Mr, Chairman, could I inquire, several Senators on the other side have said they are stipulating that Vince Foster committed suicide. I would like to know if, in effect, that is the position of the Minority as a whole and whether or not there is any inquiry here as to the question of the manner of death. Senator DAMATO. I'm not going to attempt to answer for the whole, but I will say I personally have no quarrel with the conclusions as it relates to the fact of a suicide and that it was committed at the location in the park. But I think there are legitimate questions as it relates to the manner in which the inquiry-. Senator KERRY. I totally understand, the reason I ask this is that in March, the Republican leader referred to the death as an alleged suicide. The Republican Whip on the House side was quoted a few days later as saying "there's a lot that's weird." A few days later, another Senator was quoted in the New York papers as saying "I don't know whether be committed suicide in some other place. A few days later, the House Ranking Member said it was his sense that Foster bad Whitewater on his mind, directly contrary to findings Senator D'AMATO. That has not been brought up. No one has said that at this hearing Senator KERRY. All I'm trying to say, Senator, I'm just trying to say there is enough out there-I could run down a long list 43 Senator D'AMATO. But no one at this hearing has said anything as it relates to stimulating this course of conversation. I have heard a number of Members allege that somehow it would convey the appearance if we are questioning the manner in which Mr. Foster died. I haven't beard any of that and I've heard a number of my colleagues-nor did I even raise that in my opening statement, but I've heard a number of my colleagues say it is not their intention to go into that but rather the manner in which the investigation was conducted and whether or not there was inappropriate outside influence, by the White House, and so I Senator KERRY. I appreciate that enormously. The on] reason I raise this is that this is the first occasion that we have been meeting The CHAIRMAN. Let's let Senator Kerry finish his point and then I'm going to regular order because Senator KERRY. The only reason I raise the question is that there has never been a repudiation of any of these prior statements. The CHAIRMAN. Let the Chair say that we've been charged by the Senate. The resolution is very clear that we are to review this matter. We're going to do so. I feel that we can do this rather directly and I'm going to now ask the three witnesses at the table to raise your right bands. STATEMENT OF DR. CHARLES HIRSCH, CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK, NY; LARRY MONROE, SPE CL4,L AGENT OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION; WILLIAM COLOMBELL, SPECIAL AGENT OF TIM FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God? The WITNESSES. I do. The CHAIRMAN. Very - good. Be seated, please. Senator DOMENICI. Mr. Chairman The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Domenici, I'll recognize you for a minute Nit I really want to get to the witnesses here. Senator DOMENICI. Mr. Chairman, on a matter that Senator Boxer raised with reference to depression, I'm very fearful to even talk about it for fear that it will cause some kind of an anguish on the part of the family, but I want to associate myself with her remarks regarding the serious mental disease called depression. Hopefully nothing we do as part of these hearings or these: investigations should further create the stigma that is already out there regarding this disease. This is an illness that we're beginning to understand, and clearly, it would be terrible if these hearings were used to make that a more difficult situation for people. I thank you and Senator Boxer for your comments. The CHAIRMAN. Thank you Senator Domenici. Let me state for the record that after very thorough and inde endent examinations into Mr. Foster's death, the Office of the independent Counsel, the Department of Justice, and the U.S. Park Police have all separately concluded that Mr. Foster's death was a suicide and I want to read the two-paragraph summary of Mr. Fiske's report into the record at this point. 44 On the afternoon of July 20, 1993, in Fort Marc Park Fairfax County, Virginia, Vincent Foster committed suicide. As discussed below, & evidence overwhelmingly supports this conclusion and them is no evidence to the contrary. This conclusion is endorsed by all participants in the investigation, including each member of the ,pathologist's panel we found no evidence that issues involving Whitewater, Madison Guaranty, CMS, or other personal legal matters of the President and Mrs. Clinton were factors in Mr. Foster's suicide. While Foster did confide to his family and friends in the weeks prior to his death, that certain matters were troubling him, we have learned of no instance in which Whitewater Madison Guaranty, CMS, or other possible matters of the Clintons were mentioned. Moreover, in the spring and summer of 1993, Whitewater and Madison Guaranty related matters were not matters, issues of concern either within the White House or the press.