PRESS RELEASE February 7, 2002

Hey kids; If you learn to use vulgar language, belittle women, make fun of policemen and promote drug use, you too might grow up to receive an award from Gov. Bob Holden.

This week a rap music star by the name of Nelly and his band, The St. Lunatics, visited the Capitol and received an education award from Gov. Bob Holden who held him out as a hero and role model for the kids of this state. His visit to the Capitol was arranged by the Black Caucus.

Many of the lyrics of Nellyís songs contain vulgar language, make disparaging remarks about women, taunt policemen and make direct references to drug use. Under the laws and Constitution of our great nation, he has the right to record what he wants and if he can sell it, so be it. That is the way our free economy works. That being said, it sends the wrong message for the governor and the legislature to hold this man up as a hero.

During his visit to the Capitol, elevators were shut down and elderly visitors were forced to wait, walk clear across the building to another elevator, or use the stairs. In addition, about 2 dozen Highway Patrol troopers were pulled away from their regular duties to provide security for the rapper and his entourage. When Mark McGwire visited the Capitol last year there wasnít a tenth that much security.

When I questioned the need for that much disruption and expense, I was told that the crowds that Nelly attracts usually tend to be rowdy and unruly and they were hoping to avoid any potential problems. Rowdy and unruly? This is the kind of crowds that are attracted to this individual and we are to hold him out as a hero for our kids? The very fact that he breeds the kind of following that requires extra security should give us pause as to whether or not this guy is who we want for a hero.

Many of our problems that we face as a society and as a nation center around drug use, unwed mothers, disrespect for authority, and lack of responsibility. These are the very traits that are promoted in Nellyís music. There is not a day goes by that we arenít told we have to keep spending more and more of your money to fix problems brought on by this kind of behavior. Perhaps a simpler, least costly solution would be to not glorify those that sing the praises of those kinds of behavior.

Those that were promoting his visit said that the kids would listen to him, that he could get through to them. It sounds like he already has. It might be time to look for some new heroes.

As usual, I can be reached at House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or 1-800-878-7126, or mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions, comments, or advice.

PRESS RELEASE February 14, 2002

Part of this column is a belated thank you to our Secretary of State for all he is doing and the rest is a shame on you to one of my colleagues.

Our own Secretary of State, Matt Blunt, is currently serving overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom. He is the only statewide elected official in the nation to be called up for active duty. I, for one, am extremely proud of him. There is little question that he could have claimed that his official duties as Secretary of State should keep him from being called up. However, he never hesitated. He immediately reported for duty and is now stationed overseas as part of our ongoing war against the sickos that take innocent life and the countries that harbor them.

Through the use of email, fax, telephone, and snail mail, he has been able to oversee the day-to-day operations of his office. I think it is very admirable that he is still carrying out his duties to the people of Missouri while still serving his country. In addition, he is donating all of his military pay to charity, minus expenses, while he is on active duty. No one but the most partisan and catty of persons could help but be proud of what Secretary Blunt is doing.

Enter a House member by the name of Rick Johnson, a democrat from High Ridge. One of the duties of the Secretary of Stateís office is to publish the Official State Manual, commonly known as the Blue Book. This yearís edition was more than 1500 pages in length and there have been about a dozen errors found in it. Ever since I have been in office, there have always been errors in each Blue Book published. In a book of that size, it is bound to happen. I remember one year that Mel Carnahanís picture was accidentally used in place of Jim Talentís. I honestly donít remember anyone getting very worked about the typos in years past. As a side note, this yearís edition of the Blue Book came in $71,000.00 under budget.

There were a couple of errors in Rep. Johnsonís biography. Naturally, an apology was issued, but Rep. Johnson apparently couldnít resist letting partisanship get the better of him. He said, ìI guess that sort of thing happens when the Secretary of State is overseasî. First of all, it is not like Secretary Blunt is there on a vacation, he is serving his country in a very worthwhile endeavor. Second, Secretary Blunt was not shipped out until work on the Blue Book was finished.

I, for one, am proud to say that Secretary Blunt is a friend of mine and that he has been, and is, doing a great job. I include both his official duties and military duties in that statement. For anyone to take a cheap shot at his military service would always be out of line, but in times like this, it is inexcusable.

As usual, I can be reached at House Post Office, State Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or 1-800-878-7126, or mhohulin@services.state.mo.us for your questions, comments, or advice.