Jim Wright is employed again. At loose ends since his embarrassed resignation from Congress, the ex-House speaker from Texas has been hired by American Income Life Insurance Co.-of Texas, of course. As a ”special consultant,” he`ll deliver pep talks to sales people and promote company interests (but not lobby Congress . . . well, at least not formally, said the company). Its statement praised Wright as a ”prolific writer” but didn`t mention his controversial ”Reflections of a Public Man”-which, with scant reflection, Wright undoubtedly wishes hadn`t become so public.
THERE SHE IS . . . In Atlantic City, N.J., 51 Miss America hopefuls are aiming for the clouds. But new ground rules make them lighter on the runway. One gives greater sway to talent and interview evaluations while shrinking swimsuit and glamor parades to 30 percent of the final score. Another change: Each contestant must submit an essay on an issue of her choice. Moreover, the winner is entitled to promote her issue instead of shilling strictly for corporate sponsors. Said pageant director Leonard Horn, ”It is not a beauty pageant. . . . ” Indeed, after a 69-year emphasis on leggy allure, the key words today are ”personal growth and achievement,” Horn insisted. Still, the night of tearful squeals occurs Sept. 16 on the peacock network.
DAD`S DEATH A LESSON Nine years after her father`s death following surgery for lung cancer, Steve McQueen`s daughter, Terry, 28, has become a standard-bearer for the American Cancer Society. ”It`s taken me a long while to get over the loss because I didn`t go into therapy,” said actress McQueen, who is fundraising for cancer research. Her message? Don`t ignore symptoms. Early diagnosis ”is the single most important thing, apart from prevention,” she said. ”My dad waited too long. He was coughing for a year before he finally got checked out.”
IT`S NOT POLITE TO ASK Legendary fashion maven Diana Vreeland, the longtime Vogue editor and MOMA contributor who always had lots to say about style-but never a word about her age-has left an estate worth upwards of $600,000. Vreeland, who died Aug. 22, willed everything to her two sons, Thomas and Frederick. As for historical enlightenment? Even at the end, the eightysomething arbiter of good taste kept her secret. Her 16-page will lists her age as ”unknown.”
THEY GOT A BUM STEER Sign on a cattle truck rolling through Manhattan on Tuesday: Help! We`re Being Held Without Bale! (Hay, and no hope of parole, either.)