EMERSON MAY RUN PANEL EARLY

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson could get a head start as House Agriculture Committee chairman because of U.S. Sen. Bob Dole's decision to leave the Senate.

Dole announced Wednesday he will resign by June 11 to devote full time to his presidential campaign.

The governor of Kansas will appoint someone to fill Dole's seat.

U.S. Rep. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., is running for the Senate seat being vacated by Nancy Kassebaum. But Roberts, who chairs the House Agriculture Committee, could be appointed to fill Dole's unexpired term, Emerson said.

Emerson, a Republican, said Roberts is a leading candidate for the job. Emerson and Roberts are close friends.

"I talked to him today. They are sorting it all out. Of course he is interested," said Emerson, of Cape Girardeau.

If appointed, Roberts would seek election this fall to the Senate seat being vacated by Dole.

The advantage for Roberts is that he could come into a full term next January with six months seniority. That would translate into better committee and leadership assignments, Emerson said.

If Roberts is appointed senator, Emerson could move up to House Agriculture Committee chairman this year rather than in January.

"I think it would be good to get my feet on the ground," Emerson said Wednesday afternoon. "I have been sitting next to Pat for 16 years anyway. I think I know how to be the chairman," he said.

Roberts and Emerson have served in the House together since first being elected in 1980.

"We were freshmen together. But for the draw of a straw I would be chairman now of the Agriculture Committee," Emerson said.

Emerson said he expects the Kansas governor to name someone to replace Dole by the June 11 resignation date.

Emerson said Dole's decision to leave the Senate surprised him. Emerson had expected Dole to step down as majority leader but not to leave the Senate entirely.

Still, the congressman praised Dole's decision as a good campaign move. He said Dole now will be able to take his message directly to the voters without the constraints of leading the Senate.

Emerson has known Dole for 35 years. In 1961, Emerson worked for a then-Kansas congressman who today is Dole's best friend.

There were only six Kansas congressmen at the time. "Being a small delegation, members and staff knew each other very well," said Emerson.

This is Dole's third run for the presidency. Emerson has backed him each time.

Said Emerson: "I supported him in 1988 over George Bush. I have no regrets then and I have no regrets now. I have always been a Dole supporter."