EMERSON TO VISIT MIDDLE EAST

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Congressman Bill Emerson plans to leave Thursday for a five-day journey to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, Emerson's office announced Tuesday.

The congressman will be part of a bi-partisan delegation that includes Congressman G.V. "Sonny" Montgomery, D-Miss., chairman of the House committee on Veteran's Affairs.

The delegation will meet with active duty, National Guard and reserve units that remain stationed in the region.

In a prepared statement, Emerson said there are four National Guard units, one reserve unit, numerous individual reservists and regular military personnel from the Eighth District that are still serving in the gulf region.

The delegation is scheduled to meet with Saudi and U.S. military leaders in Riyadh. Members will also travel to Kuwait to survey oil well fires and other damage caused by the war.