Dear George,

It would be nice to see George Gilliam run for the 25th District Senate seat. Terrific background and credentials, wide experience, vast contacts across the state and elsewhere. The only potential candidate I know who could hit the ground running and give us knowledgeable representation from the first week:

*Once a trophy lawyer now reformed and teaching Virginia history;

*Well-established relations with ALL constituencies - (He made a moving film on area school integration and published a book on NASCAR;)

*Sufficient personal resources and maturity to afford public service without lining his pockets;

*An established record for fair-mindedness on Charlottesville City Council;

*An established record as a Democratic Party District Chair;

*Campaign experience - he ran a terrific Dem Congressional race in Virginia's hopeless 7th District;

*Ample brains, awareness, and introspection to do the job well and then some;

*Young enough to serve several terms.

I never see Gilliam anymore and presume he's still around. I can't think of anyone else in either party who comes within a mile of him for the 25th Senate seat.

Rey Barry (electronic mail, October 24, 2001).