by Nick Lampson for Congress

It's time for Tom DeLay to return the dirty money.

Today, I sent a letter to Rep. Tom DeLay encouraging him to return donations he
and his political action committees have received from soon to be convicted
lobbyist Jack Abramoff and convicted Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham's
named co-conspirators.

The law-abiding people of Southeast Texas have been greatly embarrassed by Tom
DeLay's close association with these criminals. Tom DeLay should do the right
thing by putting the people of Texas first and returning this money. Frankly,
his donor list is beginning to look like a police line up.

Often, when it is necessary to return money to donors who are in legal trouble,
public officials will donate the money to charity. However, with past media
reports, the latest of which was in this weekend's Washington Post, that Tom
DeLay has used charity donations as a conduit for political activity, observers
will want to pay close attention to where this money goes should DeLay choose
to rid his campaign of the tainted funds in that way.

The people of Southeast Texas have been hurt by Tom DeLay's association with
these criminals. It is clear that whoever Tom DeLay is working for in Congress,
it is not the people of this district.

Please join me and co-sign my letter to Tom DeLay today! I've attached the
letter I sent below:


Dear Congressman DeLay:

In December, you refused to return donations from several of convicted
Congressman Randy "Duke" Cunningham's (R-CA) named co-conspirators. Now it
seems the Washington, DC lobbyist you have referred to as one of your "closest
friends" is pleading guilty to corruption charges. That lobbyist is obviously
Jack Abramoff who footed the bill as you accompanied him on two exotic golf
trips. MSNBC reports that you have received $57,000 from Jack Abramoff. This
is in addition to the more than $30,000 that Congressman Cunningham's
co-conspirators have donated to you or your political action committees. I
encourage you to do the right thing and return the funds you have received from
both the Cunningham co-conspirators and Jack Abramoff.

Southeast Texans are increasingly embarrassed by your association with these
criminals. It is imperative that you send the right message to your
constituents, and return this money, which is reportedly in excess of $80,000.
A failure to do so would exhibit an unthinkable impropriety for a sitting
Member of Congress.

I look forward to hearing that you have done the right thing and returned these
donations.

Sincerely,
Nick Lampson

I hope you'll join me in calling on Tom DeLay to return the dirty money.
Thank you for your support.
-Nick

http://www.lampson.com