The Facts from Clute, Texas • Page 3

THE FACTS Friday, June 19,1998 3A Twin Bush fund-raisers in D.C. top $1 million WASHINGTON (AP) Gov. George W. Bush swept into the nation's capital on a million-dollar fund-raising swing Thursday determined to dampen speculation that he's focusing on anything other than re-election. But events weren't conspiring to help the Texan, who is viewed as a serious contender for the GOP presidential nomination in 2000.

The $500-a-person cocktail reception for Bush at a posh hotel two blocks from the White House initially was to include several hundred people, but grew to more than 800. Demand for tickets to the a-head dinner that followed was so great that the event, initially planned for a private residence, was moved to a hotel. The two events were expected to bring in more than $1 million. "To have a governor come to this city and raise this kind of money, I think is unprecedented," said the organizer of Thursday's events, Fred Bush, who is not related but has been a longtime Bush family fund-raiser. The governor's D.C.

fund-raising clout, coupled with blue-chip host committees that read like a Who's Who of his father's White House, reignited speculation about his political future. Speaking with Texas reporters Thursday afternoon, Bush pronounced himself "mys- tified" by the hoopla. But he added: "I absolutely can understand why people are speculating about my future. And one reason why is because I have refused to close the door" on a presidential run. A lengthy Washington Post article dissected the fund-raising abilities of George W.

and brother Jeb, who is seeking the Florida governorship, noting their ability to tap a campaign network long nurtured by their father, former President George Bush. Farther back in the newspaper, conservative columnist Robert Novak ruminated on the possibility that George W. Bush could find his presidential luster dimmed if he is viewed as "Bonnie Prince Charlie, promis- ing dynastic restoration." Media interest notwithstanding, Bush was trying to keep a low profile. The fundraising events were closed to the media and he turned down national media interview requests, though he did make time to meet with Texas reporters. The governor and aides alike determinedly sought to keep the focus on Austin in 1998, not Washington in 2000.

Bush is running against state Land Commissioner Garry Mauro in his attempt to become the first Texas Republican governor to win consecutive four-year terms. "I don't want to speak for (fund-raiser attendees), but I would assume some peo- ple are assuming things that may not have been decided yet," Fred Bush said of the 'governor's ability to raise money in 'Washington for a contest half a continent away. Texas Democrats maintain that Bush owes it to his constituents to declare his intentions. "I think Bush has made up his mind to run for president but he sees his tactical advantage to pretend that he hasn't," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Bill White. "I think what he'll do is spend a couple of years campaigning for it while other people are left to mind the state's business." 'Orange Socks' DPS seeks help in indentifying Lucas' victim AUSTIN (AP) The Texas Department of Public Safety is asking for the public's help once again in identifying the woman known only as "Orange Socks," whose slaying landed Henry Lee Lucas on death row.

Authorities in 1979 discovered the unidentified woman in a Williamson County culvert wearing only a pair of orange socks, hence her nickname. 'Orange Socks' On Thursday, the DPS re- released a 1990 drawing of "Orange Socks," hoping that the information would prod someone's recollection of the woman. "The young woman Lucas killed had a name," said Williamson County Sheriff Ed Richards. "We'd like to know what it was." Lucas, who once confessed to as -many as 600 killings but since has recanted, is scheduled for lethal injection June 30. The body of the white female in her early to mid-20s was found face down in a concrete culvert off ofjnterstate 35 Oct.

31, 1979. She was 5-foot-9 and weighed 135 to 14P pounds. She had brown hair wijh a reddish tint, hazel eyes, no evidence of dental work and pierced ears. with information about the woman should contact the DPS Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 1-800-346-3243 in Texas or 512424-2810 outside of Texas. GEICO agrees to refund for customers (AP) Some 35,000 Texas drivers with insurance from two GEICO companies will be getting refunds of up to $700,000, according to the Texas Department of Jnsurance.

Officials from Government Employees Insurance and GEICO General Insurance agreed to the refunds after TDI officials questioned the companies' rates. "GEICO did the right thing by its customers in agreeing to return money it over-collected for auto Insurance Commissioner Elton Bomer said Thursday. A call seeking comment from GEICO was not immediately returned to The Associated Press. Bomer said to be eligible for a refund, GEICO customers have to have bought or renewed policies with the companies before March 17 with effective dates on or after March 17. jRefunds will be made in the foryn of credits or checks.

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