BOND: MORE WORK TO DO IN WASHINGTON; SENATOR SAYS HE'S READY FOR RE-ELECTION BID

U.S. Sen. Christopher S. Bond says he has some unfinished business in Washington.

"The decisions in Washington today will shape the lives of people and the kind of world that is evolving in the next century," said Bond, who announced his candidacy for a second term in the Senate here Tuesday.

"There will be a challenge facing every member of the U.S. Senate. I want to represent Missouri in taking part in these decisions."

Bond told a gathering of supporters that he is ready for the campaign to start.

"I have kept my roots in Missouri," said the sixth-generation Missourian during the Tuesday appearance at the Holiday Inn. "I know where I am from, I know why I am Washington, and I know who I represent. My ideas, beliefs and optimism about the future are born in Missouri.

"America is at a critical turning point in our history," Bond told the group. "We are witnessing the evolution of a truly global economy, and there are many challenges that face us at home and in the world around us."

Bond's appearance was the last of a three-day, seven-stop tour, which included Monday's stop in Jefferson City to officially file for re-election. Following Tuesday's stop at Cape Girardeau, he was scheduled to return to Washington.

Bond outlined some of the major changes he feels it will take to strengthen economic growth and create jobs in America.

"I support long-term economic thinking," he said. "I support reinstating a limited investment tax credit, reducing the capital gains tax for long-term investment, and restoring Individual Retirement Accounts to increase family savings. I do not support election-year quick fixes."

Bond also calls for major reforms in the federal budget process and Congress.

"The federal debt is $3.7 trillion," said Bond. "That tabulates into $14,000 for every man, woman and child in the United States. The interest alone on this debt makes up a big part of the budget.

"We need a wholesale overhaul," he added. "I support the line-item veto, I favor limiting to six years the period any member could serve as chairman of any given committee, I favor a nationwide term limit of 18 years, and I favor requiring Congress to abide by the laws it passes."

Bond said he will continue to meet individual and community needs from his home state. "I have always made that a top priority in my office every day," he said.

During his appearance Tuesday, Bond pointed to several large photographs that were mounted on the wall behind him to illustrate his area accomplishments during his first term.

He discussed his efforts to improve roads and bridges, strengthen families, improve law enforcement, assist farmers, maintain a strong defense and protect jobs. Bond was joined on the platform by several Southeast Missourians who were involved in his various area accomplishments.

Among those on the platform were Dick Reed, a former Missouri Conservation Commission member; Gene Huckstep, Cape Girardeau County Presiding Commissioner; Bob Dodson, Sabreliner supervisor; Bob Hendrix, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce president; Paul Ebaugh, past member Missouri Highway Commission; and Cape County Sheriff Norman Copeland, a board member of the Southeast Missouri Drug Task Force.

One of the accomplishments, Bond said, was his work to change the distribution of federal highway funds. Bond was the only freshman Republican senator to oppose President Reagan's veto of the transportation bill.

Bond's vote was a necessity to pass the bill, which needed 67 votes to override the president's veto. The final vote was 67-33.

"This was important to Missouri," said Bond. "The state was receiving only 77 cents back from Washington on its transportation dollar. Now the state receives 98 cents for each dollar."

Bond also helped preserve a multi-million dollar Navy contract for Sabreliner in 1991, resulting in many "saved" jobs for the St. Louis company, which operates a huge facility at Perryville. He had a hand in clearing up a problem for Cape County's Department of Conservation Nature Center, and was founder of the Parents As Teachers program.

Bond, a two-time former governor in Missouri, won election to the Senate in 1986. He serves on four Senate committees (Appropriations, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Budget and Small Business).

"I want to continue representing Missouri," he told the group. "We're ready for the campaign to start."