Kit Bond: A record of success

Two days after announcing he would not run for a fifth term in the U.S. Senate, Christopher "Kit" Bond was in Cape Girardeau listening to lavish praise for his public service over a career that has included holding public office since 1971. The accolades were all underscored by one theme: looking after the best interests of his home state.

Bond has long been a champion for returning Missouri's fair share of federal funding. For years, the senator worked hard to get 100 percent of federal highway fuel taxes paid in the Show Me State returned to Missouri in the form of highway funding. Evidence of his efforts are most apparent in projects like the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge over the Mississippi River and the East Main-LaSalle Avenue interchange between Jackson and Cape Girardeau.

In addition, Bond was a principal supporter of funding for the new Rush H. Limbaugh Federal Courthouse in Cape Girardeau, which opened last year.

Bond's critics point to his successful record of funneling federal funding to Missouri and call it "pork." The earmarked funding advocated by Bond paved the way for crucial projects all over the state. And city, county and state elected officials and civic leaders knew they could count on his significant clout if they could convince him of the worthiness and necessity of any given project.

That is why a host of officials, from town mayors to U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, lined up to tell Bond, in person, how much they appreciated his efforts.

Bond says he wants to retire at the top of his game. Other public officials would do well to seek his counsel and advice on how to be a good public servant.