KASTEN WILL SEEK NINTH TERM IN 158TH DISTRICT

State Rep. Mary Kasten filed Wednesday for re-election to a ninth term.

The 69-year-old Cape Girardeau Republican has represented the 158th District since first winning election to the House in 1982.

"My love for Cape Girardeau prompts me to want to serve another term," Kasten said.

Kasten has been a leading proponent of welfare reform. Kasten said the Legislature must continue to reform the system and assist families in becoming self sufficient.

Kasten is a proponent of mediation in child-support cases. "This would be better for the children who are often caught in the middle of divorced parents," she said.

Divorces can result in long-lasting emotional problems, she said. As a result, children often perform poorly in school. There also are juvenile delinquency problems, Kasten said.

One of Kasten's goals has been to strengthen families. To that end Kasten founded the Community Caring Council.

The council was established to help families become more independent and coordinate the services of state and community organizations.

Other communities have used the Caring Council as a model for starting their own programs, Kasten said.

Kasten said that voluntary community involvement is the key to solving problems. "Communities have an incentive to enable families to be self reliant, responsible and resourceful, the credo of the Community Caring Council," she said.

Kasten said the goal of enhancing personal responsibility would be reached quicker with a conservative agenda and a Republican majority.

Republicans are six seats short of controlling the House.

Kasten has served on several key committee posts, including budget; appropriations for social services and corrections; children, youth and families; higher education; and ethics. She also has served in the Republican leadership.

Kasten previously served on the Cape Girardeau Board of Education. She was president of the Missouri School Board Association. She also was a member of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents.

She has volunteered for church, civic and community groups for over 25 years.

Kasten is married to Dr. Melvin Kasten. They have three children and seven grandchildren.