July 19, 1995 - Part 2
July 19, 1995 - Part 2
(11:05:16) The CHAIRMAN. If I might, with respect to addressing that Senator BOXER. With respect to the rest of my time I'll yield to my friend. The CHAIRMAN. Why don't you continue and I'll respond later. Senator BOXER. Thank you. Mr. Hubbell, I want to take you back to what you described as one of the worst, if not the worst, nights of your life because I think it's important for me to understand what people were focused on that night and I think I do understand it, but I think the American people should understand it. You were one of the closest friends of the Foster family; is that correct? Mr. HUBBELL. That is correct. Senator BOXER. Your wife as well; is that correct? Mr. HUBBELL. That is correct. Senator BOXER. You knew his family, his sisters; is that correct? Mr. HUBBELL. I worked with Sheila. Sharon lived down the street from me in Little Rock. I've been close to the family for a long time. Senator BOXER. It seemed to me, from your description of the events, you were the one they turned to in this moment of tragedy and need and you went with the sisters to the home of Mrs. Foster, 101 and you described the situation there, Would that be an accurate assessment of mine, that they turned to you to help them through this? Mr. HUBBELL. Yes, yes, Senator, that is correct. It was a duty I was happy to take on. Senator BOXER. When you got there, you tried to break the news to Mrs. Foster, but you were not able to do that, and the Park Police did that; is that correct? Mr. HUBBELL. That is correct. They said they had to do it. Senator BOXER. They went into the home first? Mr. HUBBELL. That is correct. Senator BOXER. When you went into the home, did the Park Police rush up to you and say we have to seal off this home, we have to search this home for a note, we have to search this home for other documents which could lead us to what really happened here? Did anyone in the Park Police say that to you? Mr. HUBBELL. No, they did not. Senator BOXER. When you were in that home, you testified that there were many other people associated with the White House who were at the home that evening. Mr. HUBBELL. That's correct. A lot of people who were close to Vince or Lisa came over that night, as is normally the case in such a tragedy. Senator BOXER. At any time did you or anyone else from the White House or associated with the White House say that you needed to go off to a room and talk about what the next steps were, what to do about Vince Foster's office, what to do about the papers that he may have? Was there any such meeting or conversation on the night of this tragedy? Mr. HUBBELL. No, there was no such conversation. There would not have been room to do it if we wanted to. The house was small, and we were all congregated on the first floor. No one went up, except to be with Lisa, to their bedroom upstairs, Senator BOXER. So you would say that-when you say that that night, although-there were how many people from the White House? I think you've testified, I thought, to about a half dozen. Were there at least that many? Mr. HUBBELL. At least that many. I'm sure there were more, and the days blend together, but that night, I know the President came. Mr. Gergen came. Mack was there. David Watkins was there. Bruce Lindsey was there, but I'm sure there were other people there. We were-the room was full. Senator Pryor was there and -Barbara, Beryl Anthony got there later, the kids got there. It was El typical scene and as I said, the phone was ringing off the wall. People were calling from Little Rock, had seen it on CNN in total disbelief, like the rest of us. Senator BOXER. Would you say, then, that the last thing on people's minds who were there to comfort the Foster family and comfort each other was what to do with sensitive papers or documents? That, as far as you know, there wasn't even such a conversation that night although there were many people there from the White House? 102 Mr. HUBBELL. As far as I know, there was never any kind of conversation like that. The only conversation about any piece of paper would have been is there a note, has anybody seen a note? Senator BOXER. The Park Police never said to you let's close off this house, let's seal it because we're going to look for a note or other documents? Mr. HUBBELL. No, they did not. Senator BOXER. Did the Park Police ever tell you that they wanted to seal off Vince Foster's office and look for any type of note or any clues to a suicide? Mr. HUBBELL. No, they did not. Senator BOXER. Isn't it a fact, I guess-the Park Police have a right to be upset if they feel they were mistreated and I look forward to hearing their comments, but isn't it true that they could have gotten a search warrant or a subpoena if they wanted it? Didn't they have the ability to do that? Mr. HUBBELL. I believe that is correct. I had a discussion with them about jurisdiction the next day, so I know they had the authority.