[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE RETIREMENT OF DEXTER MAYOR WILLIS CONNER

                                 ______


                           HON. BILL EMERSON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. EMERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to this country's 
attention the retirement of a civic servant in my southeast Missouri 
congressional district. The Honorable Mayor Willis Conner of Dexter, 
MO, will be turning over his gavel on May 6, 1996.
  A reason I feel compelled to mention Mayor Conner's retirement is 
that his life embodies the very meaning of community service. When he 
does step down, he will have served the city of Dexter as its chief 
elected officer for 30 straight years. All told, he has served our 
southeast Missouri region for nearly half this century--48 years to be 
exact including Democrat committeeman, Liberty Township collector, 
Stoddard County public administrator, and city of Dexter Ward I 
alderman. In fact, Mayor Conner was recently named this year's 
recipient of the Missouri Municipal League's [MML] highest honor. It 
named him the State's current or former municipal official who has made 
outstanding contributions and leadership to the MML.
  In a position that isn't supposed to be a full-time job, Mayor Conner 
has always faithfully and diligently served his community while also 
delicately balancing his needs at home and at his paid occupation in 
real estate and insurance.
  As the Eighth District's Congressman, I have had the personal 
privilege and high honor of working with Mayor Conner on a number of 
initiatives over the years. One of the most notable is the four-laning 
of Highway 60 which provides an East-West link through the southern 
part of the State. Mayor Conner joined me as a visionary who could see 
the direct benefits of improving our region's transportation 
infrastructure. He well understood that once we improved our roads and 
bridges more folks, more businesses, and more industries would be 
attracted to our region. Mayor Conner is one of those civic leaders who 
steadfastly supported important efforts such as the Highway 60 project 
to directly link Dexter, Stoddard County, and southeast Missouri to 
other reaches in the United States and the globe. From day one, Mayor 
Conner has helped to improve the quality of life for folks today and in 
generations to come.
  As I close, I again want to bring to the rest of America's attention 
how impressive and remarkable Mayor Conner is as a person and as a 
pillar of is community. Thirty years in any job, elected or unelected, 
is a Herculean undertaking, let alone nearly a half-century of public 
service. The city of Dexter, Stoddard County, and the State of Missouri 
will certainly miss his leadership as Mayor; however, I truly believe, 
even in his so-called retirement, Mayor Conner will still be active and 
provide guidance, strength, and energy to overcome future hurdles. I am 
proud and honored to say thank you to Mayor Conner on behalf of his 
constituents, all Missourians, and our great country in general.

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