Former NC Senator honored in DC

According to today's Washington Post, Sen. Helms was honored last night. Only a handful of Senators came to the affair, and unlike a similar gathering for the late Sen. Strom Thurmond (R-SC) in which Sen. Trent Lott (R-Ms) came controversial statements about segregation, no fireworks occured. However, a curious statement was made by Lynchburg's most famous resident the Rev. Jerry Falwell who said that Helms along with Pres. Ronald Reagan were his two favorite politicians and had the most influence on religious conservatism. Wayne La Pierre, the president of the Natl. Rilfe Association was also in attendance, and he gave Helms a firearm as a gesture of thanks.