Bond thanks local leaders, pledges continued support in Cape Girardeau appearance

Local leaders in government, education and law enforcement lavished praise on U.S. Sen. Kit Bond in an event Saturday at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh U.S. Courthouse.

The appearance came two days after Missouri's senior senator announced his intention not to seek re-election in 2010 to the seat he's held for four terms. Bond was first elected to state public office in 1970 and became Missouri's youngest governor in 1972.

The visit was the last of four stops Bond made Friday and Saturday to thank local leaders for their cooperation during his Senate tenure and call for bipartisan efforts to address major issues like the economic downturn.

Bond spoke before dozens in a meeting room in the new federal building. He was greeted with hugs, handshakes and several standing ovations from local leaders and others in attendance.

U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson introduced the senator, who soaked up an enthusiastic round of applause before taking the podium and thanking those in attendance for their work over the years.

"The time has come, and I am just so grateful to see so many good friends," Bond said of his decision to leave the Senate after 2010. "You all ... have made the difference. ... I treasure the partnership we've had."

He went on to say the country is in crisis, particularly in the economic area. He pledged to work with Missouri governor-elect Jay Nixon and president-elect Barack Obama to address the issues facing the country and encouraged others to do the same.

Bond's remarks at each of his four stops across the state Friday and Saturday -- in addition to Cape Girardeau, the senator visited St. Louis, Springfield and Kansas City -- were tailored to a different subject. In Cape Girardeau the senator focused on the Missouri Sheriffs Methamphetamine Relief Team, or MoSMART, a program he helped create with Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John Jordan in 2000. Since that time the program has led to 13,625 seized meth labs and the arrest of 31,676 people suspected of making and dealing meth, according to information provided by Bond's office. The program pays for the cost of a full-time methamphetamine investigator using state and federal funding.

MoSMART is still an important public health and law enforcement tool for the state, Bond said.

"There are too many labs and too many dealers, he said, adding "Our children, our families and our communities are still at risk."

Though federal funds have been significantly reduced for the MoSMART program, leaving some local counties without funding this year, Bond said after the event that he's encouraged the state to kick in extra funding to make sure what he calls a vital resource remains at the disposal of local law enforcement.

Southeast Missouri State University president Ken Dobbins, SEMO Drug Task Force administrator Kevin Glaser, U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr. and Cape Girardeau Mayor Jay Knudtson all praised Bond for lending federal help on Southeast Missouri projects, including drug enforcement, university construction projects, the East Main Street interchange and the federal courthouse.

After each speaker finished, Bond met them at the podium with an embrace, and the audience stood and applauded. Emerson also closed the event, giving her opinion on why Bond was able to remain in elected office for so long.

Sometimes senators "don't remember that they serve the people of their state," she said, adding, "But Kit Bond has never been that way."

msanders@semissourian.com

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Sen. Kit Bond to retire

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