GRANDY WILL SPEAK AT LINCOLN DAY HERE

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Congressman Fred Grandy will keynote the 21st Annual Lincoln Day banquet March 23 at the A.C. Brase Arena Building.

The Iowa Republican, who serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and who formerly served on the Agriculture, Education and Labor, and Ethics committees, is possibly best known for his role as "Gopher" in the popular 1970s television series "The Love Boat."

Grandy, elected in 1986, is an honors graduate from Harvard and is serving in his third term as Iowa's 6th District representative.

In January, he became only the ninth Iowan ever to be named to the prominent House Ways and Means Committee.

The committee is responsible for all federal revenues, and has jurisdiction over issues ranging from taxes, the budget and trade, to Social Security, Medicare, and health care.

Prior to this appointment, Grandy served on the House Agriculture and Education and Labor Committees. In 1989, he became the first Iowan ever appointed to the House Ethics Committee.

As a member of the Agriculture Committee, Grandy helped draft the 1990 Farm Bill. He also authored major ground-water legislation that was included in the bill.

Grandy also was successful in adding trade provisions to increase Iowa agriculture exports, and was active in the debate to overhaul the Federal Crop Insurance program.

From his seat on the Education and Labor Committee, Grandy introduced the "HEAL" bill (Healthcare Empowerment and Access Legislation), intended to improve health care and lower its cost.

Last year, he was named floor manager for the Family/Medical Leave Act. Grandy also served as a House conferee with the U.S. Senate for negotiations on child care and vocational education reauthorization.

Grandy has received awards for his efforts to support American businesses and his work to reduce the federal deficit.

He has appeared as a congressional spokesman on the "McNeil/Lehrer Report," C-Span, Financial News Network, "It's Your Business," and in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.

Grandy first pursued his political interests during undergraduate studies, where he founded and managed "the Proposition," an independent, political-satirist theater.

His entrance into public service began as a legislative aide and speech writer for U.S. Rep. Wiley Mayne, R-Iowa, who represented Grandy's home district in northwest Iowa.

Following his tenure with Congressman Mayne, Grandy pursued his long-time ambitions in the theater. He appeared in several successful off-Broadway plays and two films. In 1975, Grandy began his role as "Gopher" on "The Love Boat."

Grandy is a trustee for Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa and is a member of the Endowment Board of Francis Lauer Youth Foundation in Mason City and the United Way. He is a member of St. Thomas' Episcopal Church in Sioux City. Grandy spends his free time with his wife, Catherine, and his daughters, Marya and Monica, and son, Charlie.

Tickets for the Lincoln Day Banquet are $8 per person and can be purchased by contacting Mary B. Essner, Lincoln Day chairman, at 334-0206, or Anne R. Bradshaw, co-chairman, at 335-8808.