August 1, 1994 - Part 6
August 1, 1994 - Part 6
(19:20:45) Ms. HANSON. Sir, it wasn't 10 days. If you recall, February 24, 1994, was a Thursday. On February 25, 1994, Mr. Altman recused himself at the end of the day on Friday, Then there was Saturday, 135 Sunday. Monday was February 28, 1994. Tuesday was March 1, 1994. That was when we played the tape, on March 1, 1994. So I The first letter came in on March 2, 1994. that was actually 3 days. ~ But, sir, I had been asking for a transcript. I asked, repeatedly, for a transcript. I don't know why I didn't get a transcript but I didn't have a transcript nor, to my knowledge, did anyone else in Treasury. Why the White House had a transcript on March 1, 1994, and I did not, I don't know. I asked for one repeatedly. I didn't have one. If I had one, I would have read it. The CHAIRMAN. I'm trespassing on the time. Senator Sarbanes. Senator SARBANES. Perhaps I misheard earlier. I thought you had stated that you had not seen this video at any time. Ms. HANsoN. No, I believe that I was asked whether I viewed it with Mr. Foreman the day after the testimony. Senator SARBANES. No, but I thought the question, then-perhaps I'm not recollecting well, but I thought the question then went beyond that, and asked more generally whether you had seen the video. Ms. HANSON, If it did) I would like to clarify the record. I did look at a portion of the tape with Mr. Foreman. I believe it was on March 1, 1994. Senator BENNETT. My memory is the same as the Senator from Maryland's I'm glad to have that clarification. The CHAiRmAN. It's late in the day and you've been here a long time. It's tiring. That's why it's important to pin these things down. If there's a mistaken impression, we can get it cleaned up, then, if there's a difference of opinion between witnesses, we can decide who's the most plausible, Senator DAmato, the time is on your side. Senator DAMATO. I'm going to yield to Senator Gramm, if I might, but I'd like to make an observation I think the Chair has pointed out. Senator Sarbanes. has alluded to it. Others have. It is inconceivable to me how, as a counsel and a distinguished and skilled lawyer-you didn't get to be General Counsel because you didn't have talent. You didn't have political connections. People were impressed, You had prepared Mr. Altman, and the issue of recusal was one of great significance. You testified to that. Later on, I'll get back to that. You testified he didn't undertake the recommendation You testified, when the Deputy Chief, Harold Ickes, said you should forget it "No, I won't. If I'm asked, I'm going to say it. Mr. Ickes understands." Regarding the February 2, 1994, meeting, the notes you prepared for it say, "I have decided I will recuse myself in the decisionmaking process," and then, you specifically said, "Yeah." You looked at Senator Bond, as he undertook this question again. You allowed a letter to go out which you helped to prepare and which came to the Committee on March 2, 1994, without any attempt, whatsoever, to correct that situation which you, were concerned about and which YOU watched on television with Mr. Foreman. Now, that is being, at the very least, less than candid and frank and gives us something that is so distorted, that it's not worthy in the least. I yield to Senator Gramm. That's my observation. 136 Ms. HANSON. Sir, may I respond? Senator D'AMATO. It's not a question. Ms. HANSON. May I respond? Senator D'AMATO. No, it's not a question, it's an observation. You can do it on someone else's time. Senator GRAmm. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me go back and be sure that Senator D'AMATo. I have to tell you, if you want to respond, I still want to see that Senator Gramm gets his time. The CHAIRMAN. By all means. Why don't you go ahead and re-. spond. You can repond on my time and we'll protect Senator Gramm's-we're going tome Senator Gramm all the time he. needs on this issue. I've to him that, and I intend to see that it's done. Why don't you go ahead and make your comment, Ms. Hanson, then we'll go to Senator Gramm. Ms. HANSON. Sir, I take my responsibilities very seriously, and I did everything that I could, consistent with my responsibilities as I understood them. You may disagree, sir, but I believe that I dis- charged my responsibilities consistent with what they are. Events occurred that I didn't anticipate, and if they hadn't occurred, we wouldn't be here discussing this, but they did. Senator GRAmm. Mr. Chairman The CHAiRmAN. Senator Gramm.