By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – Gov. Matt Blunt's State of the State speech got much partisan applause Wednesday night from Missouri lawmakers, but one mention from the governor drew everyone in the House chamber to their feet.
Mitchell Hults was honored as a special guest of Gov. Matt Blunt during the speech.
"As you all know, Mitchell Hultz gave law enforcement the information they needed to rescue Shawn Hornbeck and Ben Ownby," Blunt noted during his speech. "Because of Mitchell's vigilance, these families have been reunited."
Blunt then introduced Hults, who was sitting next to First Lady Melanie Blunt, as a "Missouri hero," which drew a quick standing ovation.
Earlier in the day, Hults was presented a new Dodge Ram pickup at the St. Louis Auto Show.
Hults was with Ben Ownby just before his friend's abduction Jan. 8 and gave police the description of the white pickup that eventually led them to the Kirkwood apartment where Ben and Shawn Hornbeck were found, authorities have said.
Suspect Michael Devlin, 41, faces two counts of kidnapping and one count of armed criminal action. He is jailed in Franklin County.
Hults turns 16 next month.