LEGISLATORS TO HOST CAPITOL TOUR

Four Southeast Missouri lawmakers will join together Saturday to sponsor a tour of the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City for schoolchildren and their families.

State Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, began holding the tours about five years ago. He noticed that during the legislative sessions a number of school groups came through the Capitol, and realized that for children from the Bootheel the trip was too far to make in one day. So he came up with the idea of having a tour for people in his district over Presidents Day weekend.

Interest in the event has grown every year, and three other legislators are joining Thomason in hosting the event this year.

The other participants are Reps. Marilyn Williams, D-Dudley; Don Prost, D-Caruthersville; and Joe Heckemeyer, D-Sikeston.

Invitations were specifically made to children in the fourth and eighth grades, in which Missouri government is studied, and to Boy and Girl Scout troops. But anyone is welcome.

"This is an opportunity where they can get a personal tour and gain some appreciation of state government," Thomason said.

Tours will be conducted by the representatives and their secretaries. Doug Burnett, chief clerk of the House, also will be on hand.

A pizza lunch will be served starting about 12:30 in hearing rooms 2 and 3 in the Capitol basement, and activities will continue until around 4 p.m.

"School kids are really inquisitive about state government. The bigger the group, the more time we spend with them. We just take our time and answer questions," explained Thomason.

Williams said she hopes that in future years school groups will plan to attend the event.

"We have some Scout groups planning to come up that I know of, and several families are coming," Williams said. "We will focus on the State Capitol and what we do as legislators."

Tours will be given of the House and Senate chambers, the Thomas Hart Benton paintings in the House Lounge, and of the whispering gallery.

The state museum on the first floor will also be open.

Some of the groups are planning side trips to the Missouri Department of Conservation Nature Center, the Missouri Highway Patrol Museum and other attractions.