Unidentified woman gives $1,000 to pay national debt

MADILL, Okla. (AP) -- An unidentified Oklahoma woman sent a $1,000 cashier's check to U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook's office with handwritten instructions to "pay on national debt." <br><br>Istook,

Friday, March 17th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

MADILL, Okla. (AP) -- An unidentified Oklahoma woman sent a $1,000 cashier's check to U.S. Rep. Ernest Istook's office with handwritten instructions to "pay on national debt."

Istook, R-Okla., said the check was made to the U.S. Appropriations Committee on which he is a member.

The woman did not reveal her name and used Istook's address as a return address on the envelope. But the check was traced to the Landmark Bank of Madill.

A bank official who handled the check said the woman would only agree to being known as a "concerned citizen."

Micah Swafford, Istook's press secretary, said the check was initially rejected.

The House Appropriations Committee could not cash it. The Bureau of the Public Debt also turned it down because it was not written to that account, but later accepted it, she said.

"I'm touched that this woman cares so deeply about our country," Istook said.