Louis Stokes: “I am reminded today of what occurred in the House of Representatives a few years ago when I chaired the Ethics…”

“I am reminded today of what occurred in the House of Representatives a few years ago when I chaired the Ethics Committee. We had undertaken an extensive investigation, led by Joseph Califano, a noted Washington lawyer whom I had hired as special counsel. Mr. Califano's position to our committee was the same as the position of Mr. James M. Cole, special counsel to this committee. This particular investigation surrounded allegations of sex and drugs involvement between Members of Congress and House pages. At the end of our investigation, the Ethics Committee brought charges against two Members of the House. These charges resulted in findings that these two Members had been involved in sex with House pages. Our recommendation to the House in both cases was a reprimand for both Members. As chairman of the Ethics Committee, I presented the committee's case on the floor of the House. Following my presentation, the leadership on both sides of the aisle joined together on a resolution to raise the recommendation of reprimand to a greater penalty, that of censure. The vote was taken and both Members were censured.”