HB 370 -- OFFICIAL STATE POEM

SPONSOR:  Munzlinger

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Tourism by
a vote of 8 to 5.

This bill designates the poem "Missouri - Just Waitin' For Me" by
Russ Heindselman as the official state poem.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2006, FY 2007, and
FY 2008.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the poem captures the natural
beauty of the state, and studying the poem is a good way to teach
children about the state and the legislative process.  If, at a
later time, the legislature wants to designate another poem as
the official state poem, this poem could be repealed.  The poet
says he wrote the poem because he is proud of Missouri and has
given away 7,000 copies of the poem at his own expense.  The poem
has hung in the Governor's office and the departments of
Conservation and Natural Resources.  It has also been sent to
Presidents Reagan, Bush (41), Clinton, and Bush (43) and the
Library of Congress.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Munzlinger; and Russ
Heindselman.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Alice Hurley, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 1st Regular Session
Last Updated August 25, 2005 at 1:19 pm