LOCAL RESIDENTS HONORED WITH SIGNIFICANT AWARDS

Stories in recent issues of the Southeast Missourian about prestigious awards being presented to three Cape Girardeans added some refreshing news to our front pages. We would like also to extend our congratulations to the awards recipients.

The first story on Oct. 13 told of Traci Nicole Taylor being honored as one of the nation's "Real Heroes" in this year's Maxwell House "Search for Real Heroes" program. It was followed on Oct. 14 by a story telling of Cape Girardeau County Commissioner Gene Huckstep receiving the "Governor's Award for Local Elected Official of the Year." Then, on Oct. 17, a story told of Millie Limbaugh, mother of talk-show host Rush Limbaugh and Cape Girardeau attorney David Limbaugh, being named "Honorary Homemaker of the Year" by Eagle Forum, a national pro-family organization.

It indeed was unusual that within a four-day period announcements were made of such significant awards going to three people from Cape Girardeau. And deserving they are.

At just 13 years of age, Traci's sights are fixed in the right direction. A victim of leukemia, she had been in and out of hospitals in Dallas, Texas, since she was 6. After two years of remission, in 1990 she suffered a relapse and underwent a bone marrow transplant to survive. Traci was lucky.

She encountered and saw a lot of pain and suffering during her stays in the Dallas hospitals and came to enjoy the toys and crafts that were made available to young patients. Her family moved to Cape Girardeau in 1991, and she spent time during her recovery at Southeast Missouri Hospital. There, she realized that unlike young children, who had a playroom and toys at the hospital, older children lacked any niceties to help make their hospital stays more comfortable.

Traci came up with an idea. She now is the engineer of the "Toy Train," a specially designed cart filled with books, crafts and games for children in the hospital's pediatric ward. With money donated by Cape Church of Christ, friends and family, Traci stocks the wagon with all kinds of goodies and wheels it through Southeast's pediatric unit, delivering a bit of cheer to hospitalized youngsters. And she hopes to eventually expand the project to other hospitals.

Huckstep's award from the governor followed his nomination by the Southeast Missouri Private Industry Council, which he helped establish, taking a strong lead in its formation. The councils were formed to administer the Job Training Partnership Act of Congress, and Huckstep has contributed much of his time and wisdom to the betterment of job training programs in the area.

Huckstep long has been involved in public service in one way or another. For many years he voluntarily operated an extrication service that responded to vehicle accidents throughout the region. He is a past member of the Cape Girardeau Board of Education and serves on numerous boards and holds memberships in a number or organizations. He's been the county's presiding commissioner since 1979. His present term will be his last, he says. His leadership will be missed.

Millie Limbaugh downplayed her national recognition, saying providence had more to do with her son, Rush's, success than did she as a mother. Despite her modesty, Limbaugh and her late husband, Rush Limbaugh Jr., deserve the praise of all parents. The Limbaughs raised sons Rush and David, a Cape Girardeau city councilman, in admirable fashion, equipping them with the values and knowledge that have helped them become successful.

Congratulations are in order to all three of the recipients.