JUDGES ATTEND START OF HOUSE SESSION

JEFFERSON CITY -- Even though his father has served in the Missouri House since 1961, Fred W. Copeland had never seen him sworn in.

This year, as Rep. Gene Copeland, D-New Madrid, was poised to take the oath for the 18th time, the younger Copeland decided to bring his family up to see the brief ceremony where all 163 members are sworn in simultaneously.

But instead of a brief ceremony, quick adjournment and plenty of time to visit around the capitol, Copeland watched as the Missouri House engaged in a partisan battle for control of the speaker's office.

"I have been up during the session many times, but I had never seen dad sworn in," said Copeland, a circuit judge in New Madrid and Pemiscot counties. "So I thought I would bring the kids up today.

Rep. Copeland, who as Democratic caucus chairman and the legislature's senior member was expected to be routinely elected temporary speaker again this session, became a focal point in the struggle. Republicans nominated someone to challenge Copeland.

The challenge was nothing personal, which the Copeland family knew, but it was part of the Republican effort to replace longtime Democratic Speaker Bob Griffin with Republican Mark Richardson.

A normally hourlong first day session stretched into four hours, and ended with voting deadlocked for temporary speaker. On Thursday, after Copeland and his family had gone home, the deadlock was broken and the senior Copeland elected.

Opening day ceremonies draw a lot of friends and family members to the House and Senate chambers, particularly for new members.

Another Southeast Missouri circuit judge, Tony Heckemeyer of Scott and Mississippi counties, was one of those family members.

He and his wife, Betty, came to the capitol to watch son Joe sworn in as a new member of the House from the 160th District. Judge Heckemeyer watched much of the action from a side gallery, and was still around on Thursday when the impasse ended.

For Judge Heckemeyer, the lively events on the House floor had special significance and possibly brought back some memories. He served in the Missouri House from 1966-72.

Over on the Senate side of the capitol, where 17 new members were sworn in and officers elected in routine fashion, another Southeast Missouri circuit judge was on hand.

Judge Stephen Sharp of Kennett, whose district includes Dunklin and Stoddard Counties, was invited to administer the oath to new senators.

Before becoming a circuit judge in 1990, Sharp served as a member of the Senate almost seven years.

Sens. Peter Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, and Jerry Howard, D-Dexter, are in the middle of four-year terms and served as escorts for senators being sworn in. Kinder escorted Sen. Morris Westfall, a Republican from southwest Missouri, while Howard escorted Sen. David Klarich, a Republican from Ballwin.

Sen. Danny Staples, D-Eminence, was the only Southeast Missouri senator sworn in. He starts a fourth term from the 20th District.

Among the new House members sworn in was Pat Naeger, R-Perryville, in the 155th District.

Rep. Bill Foster, R-Poplar Bluff, began his second term from the 156th District, but had his first opening-day experience. He won his seat in a special election in 1993.

Other area House members sworn in this week were: Mary Kasten, R-Cape Girardeau, seventh term, 158th District; David Schwab, R-Jackson, fourth term, 157th District; James Graham, R-Fredericktown, third term, 106th District; Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley, third term, 159th District; Don Prost, D-Caruthersville, second term, 162nd District; Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, fourth term, 163rd District; and Mark Richardson, R-Poplar Bluff, third term, 154th District.