While many politicians, including some in his own party, are calling for him to resign, U.S. Sen. Roland Burris said not rain, sleet or snow would stop him from serving the people of Illinois.
While many politicians, including some in his own party, are calling for him to resign, U.S. Sen. Roland Burris said not rain, sleet or snow would stop him from serving the people of Illinois.
“I absolutely, positively will not resign,” Burris told the Defender in an exclusive interview. “There are too many issues facing families here in Illinois for me to quit on them now.”
Some of Burris’ critics contend he may have committed perjury when he testified under oath before the Illinois House committee that was considering impeaching former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, saying he failed to disclose certain information about his dealings with Blagojevich, who appointed him in December to the U.S. Senate.
But Burris, 71, insists he has nothing to hide and has been truthful throughout the entire process.
Del Marie Cobb, a spokeswoman for Burris, said after Burris and his attorneys received the transcripts from his January testimony from the Illinois House committee, they realized he had not mentioned certain facts leading up to his Senate appointment.
So an amended affidavit dated Feb. 4 was filed and sent to State Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, who chaired the impeachment committee.
In part, the affidavit stated that Blagojevich’s brother, Rob, called Burris in October to seek his assistance in fundraising for the former governor. Burris had asked Rob about the status of the Senate selection and Rob told him he had heard Burris’ name mentioned as a possible candidate. Burris said he then declined to help fundraise for the former governor for fear it would be “viewed as an attempt to curry favor with him regarding his decision to appoint a successor to President Obama.”
“At no time did I ever make any inconsistent statements,” Burris said at a Feb. 15 news conference. “As I have said previously in my testimony before the Illinois House impeachment committee, (and) as I stated in my voluntary affidavit to the head of the same committee, yes, I had contact with representatives and friends of the former governor about the Senate seat–none of it inappropriate.”
Though Burris’ statements haven’t put to rest the issue, some in the Black community support him continuing in the Senate and point to a double standard and dubious motives by others.
State Rep. Monique Davis, D-27th, said she is disappointed that some party-mates have quietly called for his resignation.
“I am appalled that some Democrats want to push him over the edge,” she told the Defender. “Everyone who wants him to resign have their own agenda and plan to either run for the seat themselves or have someone in mind to run … He should absolutely not resign. He should keep the seat.”
When Burris testified before the impeachment committee, Davis was among the members who heard his testimony.
“I know how it is when you are listening to your lawyers and they tell you not to volunteer any information and to only answer questions put before you,” she said.
Davis added that no matter what office Blacks hold there often seems to be a double standard.
“We always have to jump through more loops than anyone else,” she said. The U.S. Senate, for whatever reason, wanted him to get Secretary of State Jesse White’s signature on paperwork before they would seat him, but six states do not even have a Secretary of State and those senators were seated without a signature.”
“It’s a non-issue to me, and it will play itself out,” said State Rep. Ken Dunkin, D-5th. “The Republicans are trying to put themselves in a position to get the seat.”
Just off the House floor in Washington, U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, D-7th, was adamant in his support for Burris.
“I do not think he should resign, and I am not urging him to resign,” he said. “Roland is a good man, and the U.S. Senate needs good people like Roland. I am not sure all this controversy is about his testimony. I think it has to do with a lot more than that, and if so, then people should come out and say it … I think this whole situation has been handled poorly.”
Faith leaders are behind Burris as well.
The Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Thurston, head of the National Baptist Convention of America and senior pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church located on the South Side, said he and other ministers have had “a meeting or two” with Burris already, and “we don’t believe he’s done anything wrong. We believe he is … telling the truth.”
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