Governor and First Lady Light Gateway Arch Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness 
On Wednesday, the Governor and First Lady participated in the lighting of the Gateway Arch pink in honor of breast cancer awareness month. The Arch was illuminated in pink for one night in recognition of the millions of women battling breast cancer and those who lost their lives fighting it. It also serves as a reminder of breast cancer awareness.
"The most significant message I can send about breast cancer is the importance of early detection, the value of regular screenings, and the crucial role we all play in our own health," said First Lady Melanie Blunt, who lost her mother to breast cancer. "As your First Lady, I have focused on women's and children's wellness, and as we recognize and celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I urge Missourians to recognize the importance of early detection and to take time for breast cancer screenings."
Promoting breast cancer awareness is an important aspect of the First Lady's women's wellness initiative. Melanie serves as spokesperson and honorary chair for the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Mid-Missouri Affiliate and is committed to encouraging Missouri women to take time for breast cancer screenings and to promoting breast cancer research and awareness.
"Breast Cancer Awareness Month provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the disease and the importance of finding a cure," Governor Blunt said. "The impact of this disease on our families is devastating. Lighting the Gateway Arch in pink is an appropriate tribute to the nearly 4,000 Missouri women diagnosed with breast cancer every year and the countless survivors and family members who have been affected by the disease. It also serves as a reminder for Missourians about the importance of early detection and breast cancer screenings."
The Governor's budget included a $500,000 increase for the Show Me Healthy Women program, which offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings for women. The increase is more than triple the funding from the previous year and will allow more than 1,200 additional Missouri women to receive these vital services.
Governor, First Lady, & Son Celebrate Old Tyme Apple Festival 
Governor Blunt, First Lady Melanie, and son Branch visited Versailles on Saturday to walk in the Old Tyme Apple Festival. The Governor led a group of more than 65 walkers, greeting Missourians all along the parade route. The group helped Governor Blunt pass out candy and stickers to parade watchers.
"One of the best things about being Governor is the opportunity to visit with Missourians across the state. Parades are a fun way to interact with families from all parts of Missouri," Governor Blunt said. "The Old Tyme Apple Festival parade was, as it always is, a great success this year, and I enjoyed visiting with residents of the Versailles area at Saturday's parade."
As Governor, Blunt has traveled to every region of the state to participate in various local events, including fairs, festivals, and parades. The Governor has made it a priority to meet and visit with Missourians from across the state to listen to their concerns, ideas, and opinions and to share with them the progress made since January 2005 with the addition of 93,000 new jobs, more than half a billion new dollars for Missouri classrooms without a tax increase, a new health care system that emphasizes prevention and wellness, and tax cuts for Missouri seniors.
In Case You Missed It... Governor Blunt was the featured speaker at the annual Boone County GOP Chili Supper last week. Check out this article in the
Columbia Daily Tribune about the event:
Blunt delivers 'pro-jobs' talk to local GOP
Columbia Daily Tribune - October 6, 2007
Before addressing the annual Boone County GOP Chili Supper, Gov. Matt Blunt told hundreds in attendance about an unwelcome visitor to the Governor's Mansion: a raccoon.
The first-term governor said the critter was found on the roof of the Jefferson City structure and "safely deposited" in one of the state's parks.
"There was some talk of actually executing the raccoon, but I pardoned it and sent it to a state park," Blunt told the crowd at American Legion Post 202. "Wild varmints in the Governor's Mansion might seem rather unseemly, but it would be even worse than somebody trying to take us back to where we were."
In a speech at the annual Republican get-together, Blunt touted what he called successes in his administration compared to previous Democratic governorships. That included putting forth a budget with money to spare, reconfiguring Medicaid as MO HealthNet and boosting state spending for college scholarships.
The governor also noted his administration had taken steps to spur economic growth and job creation, including incentives to companies coming to Missouri that offer certain health benefits and wages.
"And lo and behold, those things work," Blunt said. "When you pass pro-jobs, pro-growth initiatives, Missourians respond. They recognize that government doesn't create the jobs but provides the environment. When the environment improves, Missourians respond."
To read the entire article, click here. |
Governor Recommends Funding to Address Critical Veterinarian Shortage 
To address the critical shortage of large animal veterinarians in Missouri, Governor Blunt will call for full funding of the state's Large Animal Veterinary Student Loan Program in next year's budget.
"This funding will create a corps of young, talented veterinarians ready to serve family farmers in underserved areas across the state, helping to ensure that the next generation of Missouri's family farmers has the veterinary resources available to continue our state's agricultural tradition," said Governor Blunt.
Governor Blunt signed legislation to create the Large Animal Veterinary Student Loan Program, which provides incentives for students pursuing a degree in veterinary medicine and will help ensure access to large animal veterinary care is available for family farmers in all areas of the state.
The Governor has helped position Missouri as a national leader in agriculture through the production of alternative energy, a strong eminent domain reform bill, the Lewis and Clark Discovery Initiative to fund agricultural research and learning centers, and a Missouri beef quality assurance program.