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CNN Live Today

Talk with Governor of West Virginia

Aired July 22, 2003 - 10:12   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: When Jessica Lynch delivers her first public comments, West Virginia's governor is going to be by her side. In fact, all of her life, Bob Wise has loomed large in her small town. He served as a U.S. Congressman representing Palestine for 18 years before becoming governor two years ago.
Governor Wise now joins us now from Elizabeth, West Virginia, where as we said just moments ago, all the preparations are getting under way.

And, governor, you've got to be awfully proud about what you're seeing happen today.

GOV. BOB WISE, WEST VIRGINIA: Well, I certainly am. All of us in West Virginia are, because everyone is just delighted that Jessica Lynch is coming home. This is something we've watched from the time that she was first listed as missing in action. Then the roller coaster ride to learning that she's been rescued. Now her rehabilitation.

And to have her come home, the first time that she and her family have been reunited in West Virginia, it's just, it's a great day for all of us.

HARRIS: What about her family? Has the family had much to say about how all these preparations are going to unfold today?

WISE: The family has directed us how they want the preparations, and I think it's important to know, that we worked closely with the family from the day that she was rescued. And actually, even before that, to assist them in any way. This is what they wanted, and our feeling is this. And not only the state of West Virginia, but the people here, the community, that Jessica Lynch was there for us. We need to be there for her. And whatever the family needs, whatever she needs, we're going to be there.

HARRIS: Let me ask you about something else in West Virginia, because we've been hearing comments from other West Virginians. We're talking roller coaster rides. It's been something of a roller coaster with the information surrounding Jessica Lynch's capture, and then her release, her rescue and all of that. And it seems as though even though there have been lots of doubts cast upon the way the whole story unfolded, seems people there are fiercely clinging to this image of her as a hero. What do you make of all that and how that has played out in people's minds there?

WISE: There is no controversy here. Jessica lynch has done what thousands of other men and women in uniform, not only from West Virginia, but the entire nation have done, they answered their country's call. She suffered and was gravely injured in the line of duty. She's doing rehabilitation now. We support her, and we value all that she's done. She's a hero to us, as are all the men and women in uniform are, and those who are on active duty right now.

HARRIS: As I understand it, you have also guaranteed that she's going to have a college scholarship. Has she stepped up to say what these going to do with that?

WISE: She hasn't yet, but that's another thing, is that she goes through rehabilitation, whatever she wants to do, it's there for her, and that's what she wanted to -- she's expressed desire to be a teacher, particularly of younger children. If that's what she wants to do, we're going to be there for her.

As I say, Jessica Lynch answered her country's call and served us. We want to serve her.

HARRIS: All right, well, lots of hearts and eyes are going to be focused on West Virginia all day today, governor, Governor Bob Wise.

WISE: This is a homecoming for the world.

HARRIS: It certainly feels like it's going to be the case. We sure do appreciate your time this morning. Governor Bob Wise, good luck.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired July 22, 2003 - 10:12   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: When Jessica Lynch delivers her first public comments, West Virginia's governor is going to be by her side. In fact, all of her life, Bob Wise has loomed large in her small town. He served as a U.S. Congressman representing Palestine for 18 years before becoming governor two years ago.
Governor Wise now joins us now from Elizabeth, West Virginia, where as we said just moments ago, all the preparations are getting under way.

And, governor, you've got to be awfully proud about what you're seeing happen today.

GOV. BOB WISE, WEST VIRGINIA: Well, I certainly am. All of us in West Virginia are, because everyone is just delighted that Jessica Lynch is coming home. This is something we've watched from the time that she was first listed as missing in action. Then the roller coaster ride to learning that she's been rescued. Now her rehabilitation.

And to have her come home, the first time that she and her family have been reunited in West Virginia, it's just, it's a great day for all of us.

HARRIS: What about her family? Has the family had much to say about how all these preparations are going to unfold today?

WISE: The family has directed us how they want the preparations, and I think it's important to know, that we worked closely with the family from the day that she was rescued. And actually, even before that, to assist them in any way. This is what they wanted, and our feeling is this. And not only the state of West Virginia, but the people here, the community, that Jessica Lynch was there for us. We need to be there for her. And whatever the family needs, whatever she needs, we're going to be there.

HARRIS: Let me ask you about something else in West Virginia, because we've been hearing comments from other West Virginians. We're talking roller coaster rides. It's been something of a roller coaster with the information surrounding Jessica Lynch's capture, and then her release, her rescue and all of that. And it seems as though even though there have been lots of doubts cast upon the way the whole story unfolded, seems people there are fiercely clinging to this image of her as a hero. What do you make of all that and how that has played out in people's minds there?

WISE: There is no controversy here. Jessica lynch has done what thousands of other men and women in uniform, not only from West Virginia, but the entire nation have done, they answered their country's call. She suffered and was gravely injured in the line of duty. She's doing rehabilitation now. We support her, and we value all that she's done. She's a hero to us, as are all the men and women in uniform are, and those who are on active duty right now.

HARRIS: As I understand it, you have also guaranteed that she's going to have a college scholarship. Has she stepped up to say what these going to do with that?

WISE: She hasn't yet, but that's another thing, is that she goes through rehabilitation, whatever she wants to do, it's there for her, and that's what she wanted to -- she's expressed desire to be a teacher, particularly of younger children. If that's what she wants to do, we're going to be there for her.

As I say, Jessica Lynch answered her country's call and served us. We want to serve her.

HARRIS: All right, well, lots of hearts and eyes are going to be focused on West Virginia all day today, governor, Governor Bob Wise.

WISE: This is a homecoming for the world.

HARRIS: It certainly feels like it's going to be the case. We sure do appreciate your time this morning. Governor Bob Wise, good luck.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com