POPULAR COLUMNIST CAL THOMAS WILL SPEAK AT MAYOR'S PRAYER BREAKFAST

Cal Thomas is a familiar name to Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missourian newspaper readers.

Thomas, who writes a national syndicated column distributed to more than 300 newspapers nationwide, will discuss his life before an expected capacity crowd for the seventh annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Feb. 17 at the Show Me Center.

The event is sponsored by the Christian Business Men's Committee (CBMC) of Cape Girardeau in cooperation with mayors from Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

"This promises to be a major event," said Francis E. "Gene" Rhodes, mayor of Cape Girardeau. "Last year's event was a sellout. Available seating is limited but tickets are available, including some tables of eight."

"We're fortunate to have such an outstanding speaker with us this year," said Bill Terry, a retired Cape Girardeau urologist, who is breakfast chairman. "Thomas, a 30-year veteran in broadcast and print journalism, is taking time out of his busy schedule to talk with us. His public speaking is somewhat limited because of his many varied interests."

Thomas' column appears in such metropolitan newspapers as the Boston Globe, New York Daily News, Washington Times, Denver Post, St. Louis Post-Dispatch and others.

He has guest-hosted CNN's "Crossfire" and has appeared as guests on "Donahue," ABC's "Nightline" and "Good Morning America," CBS' "Morning News" and NBC's "Today Show."

Thomas is also author of eight books, including "Uncommon Sense," "Death of Ethics in America" and "Occupied Territory." He is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., and has lectured or debated on more than 70 college campuses.

Thomas and his wife, Ray, a family therapist for the Minirth-Meier-Byrd Clinic in Fairfax, Va., live just outside Washington in Manassas, Va.

Rhodes and Jackson Mayor Paul Sanders joined CBMC in inviting people to the event.

Terry said the prayer breakfast is probably one of the largest gatherings in town just for the purpose of prayer and acknowledgement of God through Jesus Christ.

"We so often get caught up in our day-to-day activities that we forget that a significant part of our very being is the spiritual side of life," said Terry.

The breakfast began seven years ago with about 400 participants. It has been averaging around 800 to 900, and turnout for the 1992 event was about 1,350.

Thomas joins a list of notable people who have been guest speakers at the event -- Adolph Coors in 1988; Kyle Rote Jr. in 1989; L.A. assistant police chief Bob Vernon in 1990; Sen. Bill Armstrong in 1991; tourism consultant Ted Sprague in 1992; and former baseball pitcher Dave Dravecky in 1993.

"We're very pleased with how the community has responded to this event," said Terry. "We feel it's a good thing for the communities of Cape Girardeau and Jackson to come together for an occasion like this."

Tickets are $9.50 each. Tables of eight are available. Tickets are available by calling Terry, 334-4635; Don Rasche, 334-1100; or Jack Mehner, 334-9113.

Terry said the CBMC of Cape Girardeau is comprised of a small group of local business and professional men of various vocational and denominational backgrounds.

"Our purpose is to encourage morality and ethics in the lives of all people, especially those in positions of leadership, business, government and the professions," he said.

Terry will attend the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 2 in Washington, D.C.