[flexcoders] How do you access data.[param] in component?

[securenetfreedom]

I have a component comprised of a mx:Text field that is rendered in a
datagrid. I am trying to access the data.name and the data.descr of
the data that is bound to the component so that I can use both in one
mx:Text field and not two. 

If I access them separately like this it works fine:
<mx:Text id="title_txt" text="{data.name}" 
                fontWeight="bold" fontSize="10" paddingBottom="0" />
                
        <mx:Text id="desc_txt" text="{data.descr}" 
                height="60" width="100%"
                 color="#777777" fontSize="10"  />

However, if I try something like this, I get the error 'Error #1009:
Cannot access a property or method of a null object reference.'

 <mx:Script>
   <![CDATA[
   private function text_init():void {
       //title_txt.htmlText ="<b>"+data.name+"</b><br>"+data.descr;
       var txt: String;
       var title:String = data.name;
       var desc:String = data.descr;
       title_txt.htmlText ="<b>"+title+"</b><br>"+ desc;
   }   
   ]]>
   </mx:Script>
        
        <mx:Text id="title_txt" 
                fontSize="10" paddingBottom="0" 
                initialize="text_init()" />

I have tried many different approaches and it seems Flex keeps heading
me off at the pass. 

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Jeff