Senator John Ashcroft is thanking Missourians for letting him serve as their Senator the past six years. Ashcroft is in the middle of a three-day tour of the state saying good-bye by highlighting various legislative accomplishments. He began the tour in his hometown of Springfield at the Salvation Army headquarters, telling officials there how he hopes the Charitable Choice provision of welfare reform will change government’s approach to fighting poverty. Today, visits are planned for Joplin, Columbia, St. Joseph and Kansas City. At the stops, Ashcroft is scheduled to discuss the issues of methamphetamine, social security and agriculture.