REP. EMERSON GOES ON-LINE TO RESPOND TO CONSTITUENTS

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson is on-line, but don't throw away the stamps.

Computer experts at Southeast Missouri State University say it could be awhile before most of the congressman's constituents have easy access to Emerson's Washington office via computer on the Internet and World Wide Web network.

Constituents have been able to contact Emerson at his electronic mailbox for a couple of weeks. On Tuesday, Emerson's office opened a "home page" directory on the computer network.

Emerson is the sixth House member and the first in Missouri's congressional delegation to launch a home page.

The home page allows computer users to access a catalog of information about Emerson and the 8th District.

The computer "page" includes a formal, color portrait of the congressman, biographical information, district details, information about legislation, recent news releases and statements.

"Technological advances simply amaze me and astound me," Emerson said, adding:

"I hope this E-Mail access and home page feature will help folks stay in touch with me on their concerns and I can keep them better updated on what's happening at the federal level."

Like many Americans, Emerson is just learning about the computer technology.

"He wants to become more computer literate and he wants to learn exactly what this technology has to offer," Emerson spokesman Pete Jeffries said.

Jeffries said the home page is the next step in the computer scene.

"With the click of a mouse it is so easy for the user to get in and out of different documents and different files and different screens," he said.

Computer users can read about legislation and then immediately type a note to Emerson about the legislation.

Jeffries encourages people to use the technology to give Emerson instant feedback.

Duke University student Tom Sowers put together the home page for Emerson. Sowers is an intern in Emerson's Washington office and loves to surf the computer networks.

"This technology is really brand new," Sowers said. "There is no actual, physical text out about how to do this program."

The newness of the technology is the biggest drawback for constituents. Just having a home computer isn't enough.

"There are a lot of technological pieces that are missing," Matt Albertson said. Albertson is coordinator of the computer support and maintenance office at Southeast.

At this point, area people only can reach Emerson on the home page via computers at the university and in some school districts, Albertson said.

But Jeffries is convinced the new technology will pay off.

Emerson's E-Mail address is bemerson@hr.house.gov and his home page address is http://www.house.gov/emerson.