COMMON SENSE FOR LEFTOVERS

The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Act recently passed both the House and Senate by wide margins and is on its way to President Bill Clinton for his signature. The legislation eases the way for donations to the hungry, one of the late congressman's main priorities.

The act was sponsored in the House by Rep. Pat Danner, D-Missouri, and in the Senate by Sen. Kit Bond, R-Missouri. The legislation will encourage restaurants, hotels and other companies to donate food to charity by limiting their potential civil or criminal liability. There would be exemptions for gross negligence or intentional harm.

The bill is an appropriately named measure, owing to Emerson's long record of championing nutrition programs before his death last June. It will be a fitting addition to the rich Emerson legacy of public service.