MULE GETS HEARING AS STATE ANIMAL MONDAY

A new effort to designate the mule as Missouri's official animal, launched last spring by the Cape Girardeau American Legion, will be under the spotlight at the State Capitol Monday.

A bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Kasten of Cape Girardeau, and Rep. Jerry McBride, D-Rolla, will have a hearing before the House Tourism, Recreational and Cultural Affairs Committee at 8 p.m. Monday.

Charles Woodford, who along with John "Doc" Yallaly is chairman of the Legion's mule recognition committee, said he hopes the early hearing will keep the legislation on a fast track for passage.

The last time legislation designating the mule as the state animal was considered was 1983, when it passed the House but died in a Senate committee.

To help insure passage, Woodford and Yallaly have enlisted the support of American Legion posts around the state. They even had the idea endorsed at state conventions of the Legion and auxiliary.

"I think we're going to have a wonderful hearing Monday," said Kasten, who pointed out that Woodford will bring some of the foremost experts on mules in the nation to Jefferson City.

"We're going to have a pretty good contingent," said Woodford, who will attend the hearing along with his wife, Lois.

Dr. Melvin Bradley, a professor emeritus from the University of Missouri, may be the nation's best living expert on the mule, said Woodford.

Some of the others scheduled to testify at the hearing are Ben Tennison, publisher of Western Mule magazine based in Lebanon; Sue Cole of Bland, publisher of Mules and More; and Jeannie Chipman Gay of Perry, whose late father, Gene Chipman, was a noted handler of mules in northeast Missouri.

Woodford said all of the experts will be rounding up supporters to attend the hearing.

In addition, Woodford expects the Legion to be well represented and to include Dr. Norris Preston of Moberly, the state commander.

Woodford believes mule experts will be able to end any confusion Republican members have between the mule and the donkey, which is the symbol of the Democratic Party.

He pointed out that they are distinctly different animals. Besides, Woodford said, polls show that most Missourians believe the mule is already the official state animal and that belief has not kept Republicans from being successful at the polls.

The committee probably would not vote on the mule bill until the following week.

Woodford sees Monday's hearing as the "first hurdle."

Kasten said she strongly supports the effort, but her knowledge of mules was limited until recently. "I'm learning a lot more about mules," laughed Kasten.

For Woodford, who has been in the Missouri Capitol only one other time, he expects to learn something Monday and also hopes to teach legislators about the mule.

"We'll all get educated some," said Woodford.