Mark Warner defends health care reform in talk with Job Corps students

By: Justin Faulconer | The News & Advance
Published: August 25, 2009

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner defended the need for health care reform before 100 Old Dominion Job Corps students Tuesday.

Speaking with young people seated around him on bleachers, Warner also shared some of his educational and business background, citing some of his failures as reasons for his success, and answered questions on a variety of topics including health care reform, the federal stimulus package and his priorities.

“My main goal as senator is to make sure everyone in this country gets a fair shot,” he said.

Warner's visit followed a morning trip to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, where he announced a team of National Park Service officials would evaluate whether the park service should assume management of the memorial.

Warner said opponents have spread much misinformation and deception about President Barack Obama's health care reform proposals. His defense of Obama drew applause.

"I’ve never seen a debate like this health care debate," Warner said.

A goal of a health care reform is to make sure everyone gets coverage, he said.

"It’s a wild time to be in Washington," he said, referring to the president's political opposition.

Located on a 350-acre campus in Amherst County with the Blue Ridge Mountains behind it, the center consists of eight buildings that accommodate 350 students. It offers career technical training, online high school diploma programs and a GED program to students from Virginia and elsewhere.

For more on Warner's visit to the Old Dominion Job Corps, check back with NewsAdvance.com or read tomorrow's edition of The News & Advance.