FOUNDER OF EARTH DAY TO SPEAK AT SEMO APRIL 6

Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson will speak at Southeast Missouri State University April 6.

The lecture will be held at 7:30 p.m. in Academic Auditorium and is sponsored by the Students Activities Council. Admission is free.

The former U.S. senator from Wisconsin founded Earth Day in 1970 as an annual observance to focus nation's attention on the problems of the environment. In 1980, nearly 1,000 events were held across the country to mark the 10th anniversary of Earth Day.

Nelson became "Counselor of The Wilderness Society" in January 1981. He was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962 after serving as a state senator for 10 years and as governor for four years.

In his 18 years in the Senate, Nelson earned a reputation as a staunch environmentalist.