Sen. Helms gets note from U2's Bono

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Conservative Republican Sen. Jesse Helms, who recently attended his first rock concert, received his first thank you note from a rock star. Helms, 79, attended a concert by the rock band U2 on June 14 in Washington. U2 front man Bono set up Helms and his grandchildren in a sky box and invited them backstage before the show, where Helms met U2 guitarist the Edge. "Senator Helms, Dot and the hundred and seventy-nine grand children," the note said. "Hope you had fun at the concert. We are really confusing the cynics with our friendship and our action in Africa. You are blessed, (and) I am to know you. Love, Bono." Helms said he enjoyed the concert, but had to turn his hearing aid down because it was too loud. Helms and Bono struck up a friendship last fall when the singer lobbied Helms on international debt relief.