Kinder meets president during visit to Washington

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Senate President Pro Tem Peter Kinder briefly met with President George W. Bush on Thursday while in Washington, D.C., attending a legislative conference.

Kinder, R-Cape Girardeau, was one of six state lawmakers to get the opportunity to talk with the president and have their photo taken with him.

Kinder said during the visit the president discussed upcoming economic reform proposals and other administration policies, as well as the ongoing fight against terrorism and possible war with Iraq.

"He spoke about how war will be the last resort because he is the one who would have to comfort the mothers and wives of our soldiers," Kinder said.

Kinder was at the Old Executive Office Building, which is part of the White House complex, for a summit sponsored by the American Legislative Exchange Council, a group for state lawmakers.

Various Bush administration officials, including Homeland Security Director Tom Ridge, White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card and Education Secretary Rod Paige addressed the more than 300 lawmakers in attendance.

"It was a great honor to have had the opportunity to discuss matters of state and national importance with our country's chief executive and his top people," Kinder said.