HUMBLE, Texas, Dec. 11 -- In an emotional announcement Monday, Texas Rep. Jack Fields said he will not run for re-election because he wants to spend more time with his two children and wife, who is expecting another child next month. The 43-year-old Republican has represented Texas' 8th Congressional District since January 1981 and currently serves as chairman of the House Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee. 'I will not be a candidate for Congress in 1996,' Fields said as he fought back tears while speaking before a group of supporters and family members. He said his decision stemmed from his annual self-evaluation of his work. Fields and his wife, Lynn, are expecting the birth of a baby girl sometime in the first two weeks of January, he said. 'At this time in our lives, Lynn and I believe that our focus should be on Josh, my 16-year-old stepson, Jordan, our 5-year-old daughter, and our new baby girl,' Fields said. He said he regretted that he was unable to take Jordan out trick-or- treating on Halloween and also missed seeing her perform in a school play. He also missed seeing Josh in his tuxedo before a homecoming celebration. 'I have to tell you that I felt that my responsibilities were not being discharged as a parent. On the other hand, I feel that I have discharged my duties to my district and to my country,' he said. 'I've never left my home -- my roots -- and now I believe it is time for me to come home and help Lynn raise our family,' he said, adding that being a congressman had been 'a great experience.'
Fields said he believes the real election to replace him will take place in the March primary, adding he expects another Republican will be elected. Fields said he plans to make no political endorsements of any candidates. He said he does not know what he will do next. While a congressman, he has continued to serve as vice president of his family's business, Rosewood Memorial Park and Funeral Home, which his family has operated since the 1930s. Fields, as chairman of the House Telecommunications and Finance Subcommittee, helped craft legislation that opened up the cable, telephone and long-distance industries to more competition. He became the fifth member of the Texas congressional delegation to announce this year that he will resign from office or seek another office.
