THREE TO COMMISSIONING PANEL

Gov. Mel Carnahan has named three Southeast Missouri residents to the U.S.S. Harry S. Truman Commissioning Committee.

They are lawyer Diane Howard of Cape Girardeau, former Southeast Missouri State University regent Lynn Dempster of Sikeston and 8th District congressional candidate Emily Firebaugh of Fredericktown.

The committee will raise money for the commissioning of the new aircraft carrier, which will carry more than 80 airplanes. The ship will be home to nearly 6,000 sailors.

Private funds will pay for the post-commissioning reception, a banquet for the crew, the ship's silver service and artwork.