“I will resign my position,’’ Massa said in the statement.
“There is no doubt in my mind that I did in fact, use language in the privacy of my own home and in my inner office that, after 24 years in the Navy, might make a Chief Petty Officer feel uncomfortable,’’ Massa added. “In fact, there is no doubt that this ethics issue is my fault and mine alone.’’
Earlier yesterday, a visibly upset Massa said he didn’t want to put his family through the rigors of an ethics committee investigation.
“It would tear us apart,’’ Massa said, according to Joe Dunning, a columnist for The Leader newspaper. “It’s not that I can fight or beat these allegations, I’m guilty.’’
The resignation takes effect Monday.
Massa’s departure is good news for House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s effort to advance a troubled health care overhaul. Massa had voted against it. His departure reduces the majority she needs for passage to 216.
Massa’s acknowledgment of inappropriate behavior was made as the House’s majority Democrats struggle with ethics matters among their own ranks despite promising to clean up Congress when they came to power.
The New York delegation has been especially hard-hit by ethics matters. Representative Charlie Rangel, a 20-term House veteran and the most influential member of the delegation, surrendered the chairmanship of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee this week after the ethics committee found that the Harlem Democrat had broken House rules on accepting gifts.
Michelle Obama donates white gown to Smithsonian
WASHINGTON - The one-shouldered, white chiffon gown that Michelle Obama wore to the inaugural balls is going on display.
Obama is donating the gown to the First Ladies Collection at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History on Tuesday.
Dotted with beads and covered in fabric petals, the gown was a star attraction at 10 inaugural balls held in January 2009 to celebrate President Obama’s swearing-in. Designer Jason Wu, 27, of New York, planned to join Obama for the event.
The Smithsonian is scheduled Wednesday to open a new gallery for the exhibit, one of its most popular attractions. The new addition will serve as a showcase for presidents’ wives from Mamie Eisenhower, who was in the White House from 1953 to 1961, to Obama.
All presidents’ wives since 1912 have contributed to the collection. The Smithsonian asks each to donate something that represents her. While donating the inaugural ball gown has become tradition, it is not required.
The collection also has White House china and other personal items.
With Obama’s gift, the new gallery will have 10 inaugural gowns on display.
There were no inaugural celebrations for Gerald Ford, who became president after Richard M. Nixon resigned during the Watergate scandal, so Betty Ford donated a dress she wore to a state dinner.
The exhibit will show 24 dresses, including 12 inaugural gowns.
Obama has invited students studying fashion at Huntington High School in New York to attend Tuesday’s ceremony.
