Mr. Bill Tapped to Help Save La. Swamps

[KG]

By CAIN BURDEAU
Associated Press Writer

NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Mr. Bill, the "Saturday Night Live" clay character from the 1970s whose misadventures usually left him squished, will be part of a campaign aimed at teaching people - especially children - how Louisiana is losing its coastal marshes and swamps.

"I wish I had a quick three-word synopsis for it other than maybe Mr. Bill says 'Ohh, nooo!!! - the coastal erosion,'" said Walter Williams, Mr. Bill's creator and a native of New Orleans.

The campaign will be launched next summer with Mr. Bill and a gang of "Estuarians" - Salty the Shrimp, Eddy the Eagle, and others - talking about the shrinking coast.

"Our hope is to draw worldwide attention thanks to Mr. Bill," said Valsin Marmillion, a campaign consultant for "America's Wetland," an initiative kicked off last year by Gov. Mike Foster to drum up national support for the problem.

What's been lost is mind-boggling: Since 1930 more than 1,900 square miles of marsh - Louisiana's "trembling prairie" - no longer exist. That's an area roughly the size of Delaware. And the loss of land continues at about 30 square miles a year.

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OH NOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooo!

[GOPisEvil]

1. Will Pete the Pelican participate?

You'd figure they'd have the state bird somehow. :-)

Good for Mr. Bill and Walter Williams! :thumbsup:

Edit - I just KNOW that Sluggo and Mr. Hands are behind this whole evil plot!

[mac56]

2. They might want to be careful with "Eddy the Eagle".

If I remember right, that's a kids' education character used by the NRA.

[jus_the_facts]

3. Stupid idea IMO....there's nothing comical about this issue....

....yet since the populous is envoirnmentally retarded I guess maybe it could get their attention x(

[peekaloo]

4. *sings* Here comes Mr. Bill's bog

*sorry* :dunce: