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TIME: Almanac 1990
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1990 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, The (1991)(Time).iso
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time
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092589
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09258900.042
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1990-09-17
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NATION, Page 29American NotesHUDMore Silence From Sam
Friday was supposed to be a big day for Samuel Pierce, Ronald
Reagan's Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Pierce had
agreed to testify before the House subcommittee investigating
charges that his department had a soft spot for well-connected
Republicans who garnered huge fees for helping developers land
multimillion-dollar federal housing contracts. But Pierce, known
as Silent Sam, decided to live up to the name. He informed the
panel, headed by California's Democratic Congressman Tom Lantos,
that he was canceling his appearance. He said his newly hired
lawyers needed more time to prepare.
Pierce's sudden withdrawal drew bipartisan fire. Lambasting him
for "deceitful" conduct, Lantos said the ex-Cabinet member had
broken a "gentleman's agreement" concluded after two earlier delays
granted at his request. "Not only is Silent Sam silent," said Ohio
Republican Donald Lukens, "apparently today he's also invisible."
Republican members are expected to support Democrats this week when
the subcommittee ponders whether to compel Pierce to appear before
it by issuing him a subpoena.