BOND SET TO FILE FOR RE-ELECTION

U.S. Sen. Christopher S. Bond will declare his candidacy for re-election to the Senate in a series of gatherings throughout Missouri this week, starting today at the St. Louis Sheraton West Port Inn at 1 p.m.

"I will file my petition for re-election at 1 p.m. Monday in Jefferson City," said Bond in a telephone interview Saturday. "America is at a critical turning point in its history. There are many challenges that face us at home and in the world around us. I want to be involved in those challenges."

Bond, a sixth-generation Missourian who is completing his freshman term in the Senate, will visit seven communities in the state over the next three days.

He will be in Cape Girardeau at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, at the Holiday Inn. Before that appearance, he will visit St. Louis and Kansas City today, and St. Joseph, Jefferson City, Joplin, and Springfield Monday.

Bond, a two-time former governor in Missouri, won election to the Senate in 1986.

"The Cold War is over and a truly global economy is evolving," said Bond Saturday. "When we talk about exports, many people think in terms of farmers and agricultural products, but more and more small businesses are getting into exports, resulting in more jobs in this country."

Bond, who serves on four Senate committees (Appropriations, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Budget and Small Business), has worked on several projects during his first term. "Much has been accomplished on behalf of the people of Missouri," he said, "but a great deal remains to be done."

Bond said he supports several policies that he feels will promote economic growth and investment, strengthen fair trade and competitiveness, effect a wholesale overhaul of Congress, reform the budget process and improve health care.

"People are fed up with the stalemate and ineffectiveness they see in Washington," said Bond. "They want to see government officials who work together to solve problems instead of never-ending political feuds."

Bond has co-sponsored a study of congressional reforms that would reduce the number of congressional committees, limit to six years the period any member could serve as chairman of any given committee and require Congress to abide by the laws it passes.

"I also support a wholesale overhaul of the budget process to restore some accountability and get a handle on deficit spending," Bond said.

"I will continue to meet individual and community needs from back home," he said. "I have always made that a top priority in my office every day. Helping a Missourian in need is often the most important thing we can do for our state on any given day."

Bond has been a factor in some decisions that have affected Southeast Missourians during his freshman term.

Among his accomplishment is helping 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.

"That's what my job is all about, helping Missourians in tough situations," said Bond. "That's one of the reasons I enjoy my job so much."

Bond had a hand in clearing up a problem for Cape County's Department of Conservation Nature Center. He helped obtain more federal highway funding for the state and has been instrumental in helping parents obtain before-and-after school care for children.

Bond will introduce a 98-page booklet during next week's visit to the state.

In each community, he will encourage the audience to read the book, entitled, "Getting Things Done for Missouri," a report that reviews successes and outlines future challenges.

"The report shows what can be accomplished when the best ideas from Missouri are brought to Washington," said Bond.