Date:         Thu, 9 Jun 1994 17:47:57 EDT
From: BoiseBear@AOL.COM

Reprinted from the Idaho Statesman [Boise], without
permission.  Thursday, June 9, 1994

Crapo says he may vote for ICA anti-gay initiative.

By Kim Eckart
The Idaho Statesman

Rep. Mike Crapo is the first member of Idaho's congressional
delegation to say he may vote for the Idaho Citizens Alliance's
anti-gay initiative.

"My position is that I do not support special rights for
homosexuality under our civil rights statutes, and I don't
approve of teaching homosexuality as an acceptable life-
style in the school system," he said Wednesday.  "If
it is limiited to hose reasons, then I would probably vote
for it."

The 2nd District Republican said he would not go as far as
signing the ICA petitiion.  The initiative would prevent the
state from granting civil rights protections based on sexual
orientation.

Instead, Crapo said he will analyze the initiative further --
along with Attorney General Larry EchoHawk's opinion
of the measure -- if the initiative is placed on the November
ballot.  EchoHawk twice has found the measure
unconstitutional, arguing it discriminates against gays.

Crapo said he will oppose the measure if he determines
that EchoHawk's concerns are valid, and if the initiative
focuses on more than just "special rights" and
homosexuality in education.  The clause restricting
library access to materials on homosexuality, for
example, concerns Crapo.

For more than a year, Crapo has said he would wait
until the initiative reaches the ballot before taking a
stand.  But recent statements the congressman made
as he toured the district led initiative sponsor Kelly
Walton to praise Crapo for "inching his way toward
support."

"A congressional delegate is the next leap up," Walton
said Wednesday.  "And, by November, we'll have two
congresspersons -- Crapo and (1st District candidate)
Helen Chenoweth -- supporting the initiative."

Brian Bergquist, head of the alliance's cheif opposition
group, Don't Sign On, said Crapo is waffling
rather than taking a stand.

Crapo drew fire from his 2nd District opponent, Democratic
candidate Penny Fletcher, who hear about Crapo's remarks
on the initiative to a Gooding [Idaho] audience last
weekend.  Fletcher send Crapo a note urging him to
oppose the iniative.

=================
Submitted by Robert Shaffer
BoiseBear@aol.com