NEWS INFORMATION FROM

THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED
City of Harrisburg
King City Government Center
Harrisburg, PA 17101-1678
Telephone: 717.255.3040

FOR IMMEDIATE USE
27 October 2003

APOLOGY STATEMENT OF RANDY KING

Harrisburg, PA—Public statement of apology from Randy King, assistant to the mayor of the City of Harrisburg, for remarks relative to Harrisburg City Council.

“I sincerely wish to apologize to anyone who may have been offended by recent comments I made concerning Harrisburg City Council. Made in the context of a light-hearted, humorous response to a child’s question, there was never any intent to demean or otherwise harm any member of Harrisburg’s legislative body, or anyone else for that matter. I am fully aware of the inappropriate nature of the remark, regardless of the context, and I take full responsibility for it. While I can never withdraw them, I have clearly learned that even the most innocent of remarks can cause harm to some, especially absent the proper context or if they are other-wise exploited. Embarrassment or humiliation were never my intent, and I am especially remorseful of the discomfort it has caused some in our community, including and most specifically the members of Council that I have long held in the highest of esteem, and regarded as close personal friends.

“I also wish to tell my third grade audience members that this is a very good example of how important it is to be very careful in what you say about others, and to be aware that even words which you do not mean to hurt someone with can and do just that sometimes. I said something that I very much regret now and it has hurt a lot of people who did not deserve it. The poor example that I set for you bright and wonderful students is very much regretted, and I hope that from this experience you will learn a lasting lesson about the importance of considering others in all that you do.

“I am very much offended however by those who are attempting to demean my reputation. For a quarter century I have worked tirelessly on behalf of environmental, social and racial equality and justice. My record of service and advocacy to and for the citizens of Harrisburg and this Administration speaks for itself, and despite some of the outlandish attacks that I have been subjected too, there are many more citizens who have expressed support for me during this difficult time and have been equally offended by the unfair charges directed against me. To all of those who have been kind enough to express such support, I sincerely thank you. To those who choose to believe otherwise, I pledge to work even harder on behalf of the important goals of justice and equality for all citizens.

“During my long career of public service I have often been the target of criticism and vitriol, sometimes through my own making because of my honest and open nature, but more often because of the personal and political agendas of some opponents of this city, the mayor or this Administration. There is often more to a story than that which meets the eye, or about which the public ever becomes fully aware.

“I note that six of the seven current members of Harrisburg’s City Council are in office today in part because of the earnest effort and work that I contributed to their election or reelection campaigns. I voluntarily provided this support and service because I felt that the current and incoming members of Council individually and collectively represented hope and promise for the future of our city. I remain of that strong belief about all members of Council, and ask that they would grant me the consideration of past service, and contribution, in forgiving my poor judgment, and moving beyond this most unfortunate incident.”

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