Del. Vincent F. Callahan Jr.

By Ellen Nakashima
Washington Post Staff Writer
Saturday, March 14, 1998; Page A24

RICHMOND, March 13 – Fighting back tears, Fairfax Republican Vincent F. Callahan Jr. apologized to his colleagues in the Virginia House today after several members complained that his annual floor speech lampooning other delegates was offensive, particularly to women.

"I'd like to profoundly apologize to all and any I've offended in any way either by name or by reference, because that was not what I meant when I tried to be witty in my awkward way," Callahan said.

His traditional satire of virtually every House member a day earlier referred to one woman delegate's menstrual cycle and said that another's "pinup photo . . . regaled horny GI's." Callahan also compared two male delegates to sheep, and said female interns were seen with T-shirts saying, "I worked on the [House] speaker's staff."

After the 30-year lawmaker's speech on Thursday, Del. Vivian E. Watts (D-Fairfax) rose to complain that the speech was hurtful to women and was a form of sexual harassment that she and other female lawmakers have had to endure from the legislature's good ol' boy network for years.

Today, Callahan's apology – which received a standing ovation – mentioned nine House members by name, including Watts and Speaker Thomas W. Moss Jr. (D-Norfolk).

"I was really relieved he so appropriately apologized to the institution," said Watts, adding that she had heard from women – and men – across Capitol Square thanking her for speaking up against Callahan's annual speech.

The Callahan incident came a week after Del. Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry) apologized on the House floor for racy remarks he had made about Del. Jeannemarie Devolites (R-Fairfax).

Devolites said she she believes that the latest flare-up over the treatment of the 22 women in the 140-member legislature – which followed a public clash between the chamber's lone black Republican and the nine Democrats in the chamber's black caucus – was a reflection of the General Assembly's increasing diversity.

"There are certain issues we are going to wind up talking about until we come to an understanding that certain comments are not acceptable," Devolites said. "Although it's good to bring humor into a stressful, tiresome situation, it should not be at others' expense, should not be aimed at anyone in an offensive manner."

Del. Kenneth R. Plum (D-Fairfax) praised Callahan's pledge to quit giving his annual speech.

"My only regret is that I did not say something years ago," Plum said. "I can't believe we allowed this to go on for so many years. Lots of people have felt uncomfortable about the speech."