COMMITTEE HEARS WILD HORSE BILL

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Bill Emerson, R-Cape Girardeau, and three members of the Missouri Wild Horse League Thursday told a congressional panel the National Park Service should leave a herd of Ozark wild horses alone.

Emerson's comments were before the House Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Land, the panel now deliberating his Wild Horses Protection Act of 1995.

From 25 to 30 wild horses have been freely roaming the Ozark National Scenic Riverways in Southern Missouri for at least 50 years. Since 1990, however, the Park Service has decided to remove the herd because the horses have damaged to the park and aren't native to it.

Horse League President Allen Akers testified local people believe the horses are as much a part of the land as deer, turkey, bald eagles and other protected wildlife and added they think the wild horse represents freedom.

The National Parks, Forests and Lands Subcommittee and full House Resources Committee now must approve the legislation before sending it to the House for consideration. Last week, Missouri Republican Sens. Kit Bond and John Ashcroft introduced Emerson's legislation in the Senate, where it is pending approval.