EMERSON ATTENDS MEETING WITH CLINTON ON FLOODING

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson attended a meeting with President Bill Clinton Thursday afternoon to discuss Midwest flooding.

The meeting took place at the U.S. Capitol, where Clinton met with about 30 legislators whose districts are affected by flooding.

Emerson, a Cape Girardeau Republican, said the theme repeated in the meeting was that there are "no partisan boundaries" in getting help to victims of the flood. The congressman noted that the Clinton administration is "well on top of this disaster."

Emerson will be in Perry County Friday afternoon to tour a levee and pumping station, and he will spend Saturday surveying flooded areas with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

The Cape Girardeau declined an invitation to appear with the president in St. Louis Saturday, citing a need to work in his home district.