Fighting Fat...

In early 1997, friends were telling me I looked "senatorial." What did that mean? One morning at a health care conference, I looked in the hotel mirror, and realized it meant I looked eight months pregnant. Seriously.

I finally got back to more exercise and less eating. That year I managed to lose 50 pounds of fat. (I may bore you with more details of the how-to another day.)

Now I'm 53, almost exactly the same age my father was when he had first heart attack,
and the cardiologist said he came within 10 minutes of dying.

Dad never got to see his younger two sons (my brother Ben and me) finish our education. The next heart attack got him. But I definitely want to see our sons grow up and complete their educations.

So, I work out. And like everyone, I try to watch what I eat, sometimes with less success than others. One of my friends reminds me, "You know, Roy, gluttony is still a sin."

And since it's one of my sins, I have to work out more than some to keep my weight down. But my heart seems strong with a morning resting heart rate (pulse) of 34, sometimes lower. I'm hoping it'll hang in there for a while yet.

Another part of my motivation is to encourage young people to be active. And as someone once said of proclaiming the Gospel, "Preach the Good News--use words if you must." It's much easier for me to preach and fuss, but most young people get enough preaching and fussing, but not enough good examples. And they sure know the difference between the talk and the walk. So, I know I've got to continue to try to eat less and work out more than I otherwise would.

Now, I'm fortunate. All three of our sons are runners on Dresden's Cross Country Team. Juniors John and Rick and eighth grader Ben motivate me, pull me along, encourage me to work out. And Nancy is disciplined in her work-outs and sets a good example for us, too.

Nancy has, however, rationally pointed out that one can work out and get great health benefits without doing endurance events. So, why do marathons and Ironman triathlons?

Phillipians 4:13 teaches us, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I really want young people to know that this Scripture is true—and can be true in their lives.

I believe the best way to teach young people is by showing, not telling, by practicing what we preach, by living the change we want to see.

But sometimes to get their attention, we need to do something a bit unusual. That's one reason last Sunday I did an Ironman triathlon. 140.6 miles. A 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run.

On Sunday, I did Ironman Louisville. Not fast, not strong, but unslow enough that I was not disqualified.

My cartwheel at the finish line was so pathetic that two volunteers asked if I needed medical attention.

Late in the marathon, I bonked—ran low on energy. I’d failed to eat as much as I should have during the marathon. A fellow ran up beside me and said, ‘I can’t tell if you’re running or walking, but it seems to be working.’ I had to laugh. Guess he was right.

It took me almost 14 hours (13:42). I was surprised, however, to finish 41 minutes quicker (less slow!) than my first Ironman 2 years ago. Not that the leaders were worried. I was way back at 921st of the 2,100+ who signed up, the however many actually started the race, and the 1,555 that finished by the 17 hour cut-off. Among the 100 old men 50 to 54, I finished 40th.

Now, I admit I cheated—I got kisses from my bride along the way. Much sweeter (for me, probably much saltier for Nancy) than energy bars and gels.

Plus, our three wonderful sons gave me high-fives. I simply couldn’t have done it without the encouragement and love of our family.

At mile 60, a bike cable broke, leaving me without the fastest gears. I was stunned for a minute, then decided I could either cuss and cry or laugh and thank the Good Lord for being able to ride at all. You know, so many people would give anything to be able to swim, bike or run—and can’t. So, I just rode the next 52 miles as quick as I could in the gears I had and those easier gears probably made my legs fresher for starting the marathon.

Nancy and I had planned to drive home after the race so the boys could be at school for 6:00 a.m. cross-country practice and classes. I was so excited by the race, and grateful to Nancy for enduring it, that I drove the whole way home. The boys slept in the van, but Nancy didn’t sleep too well, concerned that I might fall asleep. We got in about 3:00 a.m., and I still had to read a while before I could sleep. Nancy says that instead of a triathlon, it was a quadrathon.

I don't know what to call that event and all that surrounded it, but I do know this. I was blessed to have the support of family and friends, the fellowship of some wonderful people who are similarly demented or motivated to go 140.6, and I came out of the event not tired, but renewed and fired up and wanting to help make a difference.

RUNNING LESSONS

For some years, I've been concerned about my tendencies to gain weight and to not exercise. A few years ago, when I set a personal record for obesity, I knew something had to change. Having lost my father to heart disease while I was still in school, I knew I wanted to be around for my own sons longer than Dad was able.

So, with the help of a lot of great friends and a wonderfully supportive family, I made some changes. And I've since been blessed to enjoy time with friends and family running and working out in various ways.

Still, time to work out is always an issue. (I've tried to address that issue in Marathon & Beyond, the running publication. The articles are called "Time to Run" and "Time to Run Long.") This legislative session I've found myself working out for shorter periods. And I've been on an indoor bike and weight-machines more and running less.

So, I had thought I would do the Country Music Half-Marathon, instead of the whole marathon, yesterday. But after one of the organizers of the event called me names, I started thinking about doing the whole. Then another friend who right now is a bit slower said he was going to do the whole, and his determination encouraged me to go ahead. I did so knowing that this would be my slowest marathon by far, assuming that I finished it.

Nancy and I took our three sons and our "neighbor and borrowed son Jack" with us to Nashville. I needed their encouragement and support, and I wanted them to enjoy the excitement and fun that Tennessee's largest marathon brings. I figure being around 20,000+ people fit enough to run or walk at least a half-marathon is a good thing for our boys.

While it was indeed my slowest marathon ever, by almost a minute a mile, I finished and had the privilege of trying to sprint the last part (it was as much sprint as I had in me after 26 miles) with sons John and Rick. And that was fun. (Okay, I know "fun" may not be how some would describe it, but it was...at least after it was over. Grin.)

During the marathon, I was reminded once again of how even running, something one thinks of as an individual sport, really is a team game. From about mile 12 or so until about mile 15, I enjoyed a new friend that I ran with, talked with and even coached a bit. Her first name prompted me to ask her family's origins, and she talked about her father and his coming to this country from Lebanon (the country, not the Wilson county city).

After that, from about 15 until mile 20, I ran with a Marine, the first Marine I think I've met named Tiffany. Her husband, who did the Marine Corps Marathon last fall but was not competing yesterday, joined us for a while. We chatted and I learned a bit about his having been in Iraq for six months. And about the husband-and-wife Marines getting out in four months and coming home to Tennessee.

Running with those people took my mind off of my struggles. They helped me click off miles that otherwise would have been difficult. Instead, those miles were most enjoyable. And thinking about the sacrifices of those Marines put into context the few moments of discomfort that can come during a marathon.

Why do people run marathons? A lot of reasons. To lose weight. To keep from putting on weight. To live longer and stronger. To teach your children, you hope, by example. And not least of all, to learn from and enjoy meeting people like the fellow Tennesseans who are the child of a Lebanese immigrant and the two Marines. The sacrifices made by them and their families simply inspire.

ETHICS LEGISLATION

Last session, Representative Kim McMillan and I sponsored legislation to create the Special Joint Committee on Ethics. That committee has been meeting this summer and fall. We met again this week.

Major changes are being proposed by a number of us. I believe major changes will be enacted.

Most legislators and even most lobbyists are ready for changes. That's what I find as I talk to my colleagues and the most respected lobbyists.

The old days of lobbyists "wining and dining" legislators nightly is history for most of us any way. Most lobbyists don't pursue their work that way now. Most legislators are ready to stop the reputation of the entire General Assembly from being tarnished by the habits of a relatively few.

There are a number of other areas where I think you'll soon see change, including contingency fees for lobbyists, disclosure of amounts being spent to influence the General Assembly, limits on individuals dumping hundreds of thousands of dollars into state races and money-laundering.

I welcome the counsel of Tennesseans on these issues. I especially would appreciate the advice of those I am privileged to represent in the 24th district.

ANOTHER NATIONAL GUARD UNIT PREPARES TO LEAVE THE NATION

Yesterday my three sons and I went to Union City to say good-bye to and see off that engineering unit as it left Obion County for training before going to Iraq.

As I thanked them for their sacrifices and prayed God's blessings on them, I could hardly keep from joining some of the soldiers and many of their family members in tears.

There were soldiers older than me, at least in their fifties and perhaps some older than that.

There were soldiers not long out of high school, either still teenagers or looking like teens.

There were soldiers of every age in between.

Many of them I did not know. But many I did know, some awfully well. Many were friends. Others were children and spouses and loved ones of friends.

They were black and white and more, men and women, built like strong football players and petite models and in between. They were somber and laughing, but to a man and woman, they were courageous.

Keep those soldiers -- and those they love and that love them -- in your prayers.

God bless them every one.

ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT

The year was 1989. Rocky Top was the scandal. I was starting my second term in the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Even then, one had to be concerned about customs and practices that seemed to have been around for a long time:

*Legislators having hotel rooms paid for during an entire session or several sessions by lobbyists and interest groups.

*Legislators "borrowing" (extorting?) credit cards from lobbyists.

*Lobbying disclosure laws that were more loopholes than laws, allowing lobbyists to spend virtually unlimited amounts on legislators and other public officials without any disclosure in any form being required.

At the very end of that session, we eventually passed the Lobbying Ethics Act of 1989. Quite frankly, without the Rocky Top scandals and investigations, that bill never would have been enacted. (I think I know--I was the prime sponsor and I had to fight for it all session.) Its enactment was not popular with some working on The Hill, though many thought it was overdue and helped pass it.

Now, 16 years later, other scandals. Officials and others "doing business" with the last (Sundquist) administration investigated and indicted. Legislators and others who knew them investigated and indicted. The allegations involve members of both the executive and legislative branch, members of both the Republican and Democratic parties.

But there is something right within our American system that tends to create corrective action out of wrongful acts. Essentially, there is nothing wrong with our state's government that our state's people cannot correct. What is wrong with our system can be corrected by what is right with our system.

None of us yet knows exactly the details of future legislative action, but I believe the changes will be substantial and significant.

The Governor has appointed a special commission on ethics. It is headed by former Senator Ben Atchley and former Attorney General Mike Cody. Both men have earned reputations for honesty and integrity and both are recognized as both intelligent and wise. Others on this commission also are most impressive and well-respected. The other day I attended their first meeting, and I hope to attend more. I am looking forward to receiving their recommendations and considering their counsel.

The separate, special legislative committee on ethics will meet next week. It is bipartisan, bicameral and, I believe, willing to make major changes and progress.

Out of bad times can come good changes. I think these are such times. And I look forward to those good changes.

Back in Nashville

I went back to Nashville last week and worked in our office as well as met with colleagues and members of the Administration and others.

While there, I talked with colleagues and others about the new Ethics Committee. I will be one of six senators (three Democrats and three Republicans) serving with a like number from the House.

Over the next several weeks, we will hear what other states are doing and possibilities for what we might do in Tennessee.

I'd welcome the counsel of my constituents and my fellow Tennesseans on what you think we should do about ethics issues involving legislators, lobbyists and campaign contributions.

THE RECENT ARRESTS OF LEGISLATORS

I've waited a bit to write about the recent arrests of legislators. Quite frankly, I wanted to let some of my emtions settle a bit. It still is hard to believe. Following are responses to questions repeatedly and recently asked by constituents and other Tennesseans.

1. WERE YOU SURPRISED BY THE ARRESTS?

Allegations had been swirling around Senator John Ford for some time, though he had maintained he had not violated the law.

I was concerned that our laws had loopholes that would let persons "consult" to represent private interests against the public good. That was why Representative Kim McMillan and several colleagues in the Senate and House and I had sponsored House Bill 1--to close such loopholes.

After that bill passed, the media reported that then-Senator Ford had said he was not going to run again and blamed the enactment of House Bill 1. That had made me think that perhaps in the past he had used legal advice to use the legal loopholes.

As to the indictments of the others, yes, I was surprised. Quite frankly, some more than others.

2. HAD YOU HEARD RUMORS OF CORRUPTION?

Yes. But one can hear a bad rumor about anyone from the Pope and the President on down. And often such rumors are started by political foes for reasons hardly altruistic.

3. HAD YOU HEARD SOMETHING WAS COMING DOWN?

Just the day before the arrests, a colleague told me he'd heard "some people are wearing 'wires.'"

I learned the day of the arrests that some of those arrested had been intereviewed by the FBI a few days earlier. But I had not heard that until after the arrests.

4. WERE YOU APPROACHED BY THE "STING" COMPANY?

I don't think so. I don't recall talking with someone representing that "sting" company, nor does my legislative assistant recall them coming around, nor did she find anything on my schedule indicating they had met with me.

I should note, however, that during a session I have literally thousands of conversations and at least hundreds of them will will be brief talks with people who grab, corner or walk with me, frequently people whom I hardly know or do not know at all. So, I cannot say for sure that no one with that company talked with me. But neither Josephine nor I have any recollection of having talked with someone from that sham company. And they doggoned sure did not offer me any bribe!

5. HOW'D ALL "TENNESSSEE WALTZ" INVESTIGATION GET STARTED?

We'll have to wait to see for sure. But I am told that this investigation may have begun or been enhanced by allegations that were made during an investigation into Shelby County government. Some who were caught doing wrong there maintained that others were doing the same or worse in state government. Or so a source tells me.

Also, there has been an ongoing investigation into the Sundquist administration, with indictments already handed down and more expected. Some of the impetus could have been from that investigation.

I suspect that some of the worst abuses occurred when the last administration failed to ride herd tightly enough on TennCare managed care organizations (MCOs) and contractors. I know Governor McWherter knew to keep close tabs when paying out taxpayer dollars to private companies, but the Sundquist administration did not move quickly and assertively enough and demand enough of some of those MCOs. Some think that the "gravy train" there led to more abuses in other areas.

6. WHAT ABOUT JOHN FORD?

I've not yet seen the videotapes of him stuffing thousands in cash into his pockets, but I will soon. I am told it is anything but pretty.

John Ford is an extremely intelligent, forceful advocate who was perhaps too effective in working on and with the last administration, but he also has had moments painful for all of us to watch. Sometimes we agreed on issues, but many times we stood toe to toe and argued over legislation.

I think it was just the day before his arrest (I know it was that week), he argued against a provision to require more accountability for taxpayers dollars in grants. The proposal was recommended by the Comptroller. Senator Ford, however, alleged that the proposal was aimed at African-Americans. Sitting next to him in the Finance Committee, I responded that the proposal was not about black and white, but about red and green, about taxpayers seeing red when their greenbacks are wasted.

I recall back when I had not been in the legislature very long, I sponsored the Lobbying Ethics Act. It prohibited some abusive practices and required more meaningful and restrictive disclosures. I never will forget being on the conference committee with John Ford and trying to keep him from doing harm to the bill. Later he was upset with me, telling me that I'd sponsored a "bad bill."

Just this session, I stood on the floor of the Senate, with but one desk between his and mine, and listened to him go off on House Bill 1 which I was sponsoring. I remember telling myself that I had not "gone off" on anyone over the legislation to that point, and I should not go off on anyone then. The best way to get the legislation passed was to ignore what I could and just respond as needed to address colleagues' concerns and set the record straight.

John spoke against what he perceived as defects in the bill, but ultimately he voted for it. And it passed the Senate unanimously.

Shortly after that he told a reporter he was not going to run again, because that bill was too restrictive....

7. DO YOU KNOW THE OTHERS WHO WERE INDICTED?

I know the other legislators and the former legislator. I served with and worked with all of them.

Each is an American entitled to the constitutional presumption of innocence.

Each is a child of God with hurting family members who need our prayers.

If any is guilty and has betrayed the public trust, he or she should be punished speedily and strongly.

If any is innocent, then I hope and pray they will be acquitted as soon as possible.