Speaker to write about his rise to Congress\nWASHINGTON -- House Speaker Dennis Hastert has signed a contract to write a book about his life from his days as a high school wrestling coach in Illinois to his rise in Congress, according to his spokesman and publisher.\n"The theme will be lessons in leadership, what he learned and his style of leadership," said Marji Ross, president of Regnery Publishing Inc., a Washington-based conservative publishing house.\nRoss said Wednesday that negotiations with Hastert, R-Ill., began in January, but were not concluded until the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct cleared the deal earlier this month. She declined to discuss terms of the contract.\nHastert spokesman Pete Jeffries referred questions about the size of the contract to Hastert's attorney, Randy Evans, who did not immediately return messages left with his office.\nHastert already has begun dictating notes for the book, whose working title is "Speaker," and is likely to have a suggested retail price of $27.95, Ross said. \nHastert is expected to cover such subjects as the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the impeachment of President Clinton, his membership on first lady Hillary Clinton's health care task force, House Speaker Newt Gingrich's resignation and his own rise to power.\n"There are many stories and vignettes that many Americans will appreciate," Jeffries said.
Willie Nelson does radio spots for hopeful\nWASHINGTON -- Country music singer Willie Nelson is taking his support for Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich to the radio waves this week.\n"Hey, Iowa. This is Willie Nelson," says the singer, as his hit song "On the Road Again" plays in the background.\n"I don't usually get too involved in politics, but I'm supporting Congressman Dennis Kucinich for president. I know Dennis and I know he speaks up for heartland Americans who need a stronger voice," Nelson says in the 30- and 60-second spots.\nThe ads, paid for by Kucinich for President, are running this week at several Iowa radio stations to promote a benefit concert that Nelson is playing for Kucinich in Des Moines on Labor Day.\nCampaign spokesman Jeff Cohen declined to say how much the ads cost, saying only that it cost "thousands of dollars just for the first week." \nNelson also will be playing benefit concerts for Kucinich in Cleveland and Madison, Wis.\nKucinich, an Ohio congressman, plans to make an official announcement of his candidacy around Labor Day. He is facing eight other Democrats in the race for the nomination.
Maytag announces new face of repairman\nNEWTON, Iowa -- The face might be new but the Maytag Repairman still will be lonely.\nActor Hardy Rawls will take over the part of Ol' Lonely in Maytag advertisements from Gordon Jump, who's retiring from the role, the company said Tuesday.\n"I've never been so excited about something in my life," said Rawls, 50, another veteran character actor. "I feel it's truly a heartwarming and lovable character that is so much fun to play."\nRawls has appeared in television shows including "Ed," "Law and Order" and "Judging Amy" and is known for his role as the father on Nickelodeon's "The Adventures of Pete and Pete." He also has appeared in movies, the theater and more than 300 commercials.\nThe 71-year-old Jump has portrayed Ol' Lonely, one of the most famous advertising characters ever created, since 1988. The late Jesse White originated the role in 1967.
Bob Hope kin, friends attend dawn funeral \nLOS ANGELES -- Bob Hope was buried at San Fernando Mission Cemetery on Wednesday following a private funeral Mass.\nThe service -- attended by about 100 family members and close friends -- at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, a few blocks west of the Hope Toluca Lake estate, took place at 6:30 a.m., police Sgt. Tony Carranza said. There were no details about the Mass, which was a closely guarded family secret.\nPolice then led a 25-car procession to the cemetery in Mission Hills, a northern San Fernando Valley neighborhood about 12 miles from the Hope estate, Carranza said. There was a half-hour burial ceremony.\nStreets around the cemetery were blocked by police to give the family privacy. The family left in three black limousines about 8:30 a.m.\nThe burial location had been shrouded in secrecy, with speculation including Arlington National Cemetery. \nDaughter Linda Hope said Monday that her father, who died Sunday at age 100, was asked recently by wife Dolores where he wanted to be buried and the wisecracking entertainer responded, "Surprise me."\nThe 86-acre cemetery is next to the historic San Fernando Mission Rey de Espana, founded on Sept. 8, 1797.\nOther celebrities buried at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery include Richie Valens, William Bendix, William Frawley, Walter Brennan, George Gobel, June Marlowe, Jerry Colonna and Chuck Connors.\nPresident Bush decreed in a special proclamation that flags be flown at half-staff Wednesday. The family also plans an Aug. 27 invitation-only Mass at St. Charles Borromeo and a public memorial that afternoon at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood.
