JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) – Republican U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt touted health research and mental health access during an address to Missouri legislators.

In a speech before the Missouri House Thursday, Blunt also stressed making the most of inland ports in the area and focusing on transportation.

Blunt ended his speech with advice to lawmakers not to immediately discount views different from their own.
He cited Ferguson, where protests unfolded after the fatal police shooting of black 18-year-old Michael Brown in 2014. Blunt also mentioned the University of Missouri, where some student activists protested and called for the former system president to step down. Activists had criticized the administration’s perceived indifference to racial discrimination.

Blunt earlier spoke privately to Senate Republicans. This is Blunt’s fifth year speaking to the House.