Congressmen Vow Help for CIA Hero's Widow
Tuesday, July 16, 2002; 11:41 p.m. EDT
newsmax.com
Two U.S. congressman pledged Tuesday to help the widow of CIA hero Johnny "Mike" Spann, who became the first U.S. combatant killed in the war on terrorism when he was attacked by compatriots of "Jihad" Johnny Walker Lindh during an al-Qaeda prison uprising in Afghanistan last November.
Shannon Spann revealed Monday that she and her three children are in increasingly dire financial straits. Under standard CIA procedure, payments of her husband's salary will be cut off on the first anniversary of his death, she told nationally syndicated radio host Sean Hannity.
"We have to do something for this brave American's family," Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz., told Hannity Tuesday afternoon.
"We're going to take a look at it," agreed Rep. Bill Pascrell, D-N.J. "Whatever we have to do, we'll do."
During his interview with Mrs. Spann on Monday, Hannity asked if she was doing all right financially.
After some hesitation, she nervously admitted, "Well, yeah - that is, no. There's a strong 'no' to that answer.
"I'm actually taking some time this next week to figure out how I'm going to get out of this mess and get myself back to work so I can start supporting my family," she added.
The Spanns have three children, including a 1-year-old and two older children from a previous marriage.
Hannity announced his own bid to help the CIA hero's family yesterday, urging his listeners to send donations directly to Mrs. Spann so that no money would be taken out for expenses.
On Tuesday he said that WABC Radio would forward any donations it received, advising listeners to mail them in an envelope marked for Shannon Spann, inserted in a larger envelope addressed to:
Shannon Spann
c/o James Grisham/WABC Radio
2 Penn Plaza, 17th Floor
New York, NY 10121 |
