function get_states_values()
{

	var options_string = "";
	var the_select = document.getElementById('state_choice');
	for (loop=0; loop < the_select.options.length; loop++)
	{
		if (the_select.options[loop].selected == true)
		{
			 options_string += the_select.options[loop].value + ",";
		}
	}
	myhidden = document.getElementById('states');
	myhidden.value = options_string;
	myform = document.getElementById('state_select');
	myform.submit();

}