Kander honored at Moniteau County Truman Day

At the Moniteau County Truman Day event Saturday, May 4, Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander is presented with the Harry S Truman Award by John Kay.
At the Moniteau County Truman Day event Saturday, May 4, Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander is presented with the Harry S Truman Award by John Kay.

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At the Truman Day event of the Moniteau County Democrat Central Committee, Missouri Secretary of State Jason Kander was presented with the Harry S Truman Award. After noting that it was also his birthday, those present sang "Happy Birthday" and presented him with a special gift.

Kander spoke about the honor of being the recipient of the Truman Award. He then went on to speak about changes brought about by events, mentioning specifically the first secretary of state. Joshua Barton served as Secretary of State from 1820-21, resigning to become District Attorney in St. Louis. Barton was involved in three duels as duelist or second, before he was killed in 1823.

Kander said that fortunately the Missouri legislature passed anti-dueling legislation two years later.

Kander, who has been in office for 107 days, said he is working on getting a bi-partison commission to develop an early voting bill, saying, "It is time." Kander also commented that he is an advocate of campaign reform and campaign contribution reform.

As the attendees were dining, Resa Dudley, California, gave the welcome and introduction at the meeting, thanking those who helped with the event and recognizing others who contributed, held or had held public office, or had been honored. She was presented the Democrat of the Year Award by her son Robert Hirschvogel.

Dudley spoke of the ongoing effort to separate the Moniteau County Democratic Committee from the Democratic Club. She mentioned Clarksburg Mayor Eric Moore and Democratic Club Committee president is recovering from an incident in St. Louis in which he was struck by a vehicle while crossing the street. She spoke of how the Democrats continue to organize, with phone lists and other means, to elect more Democrats at the mid-term election November 2014.

Bob Hogge, who died recently at age 89, was given as an example of someone who did a lot after retirement. He served 12 years a Presiding County Commissioner. "The lesson is, we're Democrats, we go forward, not backward," Dudley said.





As a part of the introducion of the speaker, State Rep. Stacey Newman, District 87, Dudley presented Newman with a "Certificate of Adoption" asked her to be representative of the residents of District 50 as well as District 87.

Newman represents Clayton, Richmond Heights and parts of Ladue. She states her "focus is on equality and justice; fighting for voter's rights, women's rights, workers rights and equality rights." One of her first tasks in office was resurrection of the then dormant House Progressive Caucus. She chairs the organization and re-energized the 35-member caucus working with Progress Missouri.

The 2013 Moniteau County Hall of Fame honoree, Lucy M. Layne, was unable to be present due to illness. The presentation will be made later, possibly at the regular May meeting.

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Emily and Hunter Wilson