[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E54]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF JAMES C. KIRKPATRICK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 1998

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, I wish to take a moment today to speak 
about a man of distinguished civic service and professional integrity. 
Missouri's ``Mr. Democrat,'' James C. ``Jimmy'' Kirkpatrick, former 
Missouri Secretary of State, recently passed away at the age of 92.
  A native of Braymer, MO, Kirkpatrick graduated from Northeast High 
School in Kansas City and Central Missouri State University in 
Warrensburg, MO. After studying journalism at the University of 
Missouri, Kirkpatrick became interested in the news business. From 1954 
to 1974, Kirkpatrick owned and operated several Missouri newspapers. He 
started his career at the Warrensburg Daily Star-Journal and rose to be 
editor of that newspaper. Later, he became editor of the Jefferson City 
News-Tribune, then purchased the weekly Windsor Review and later the 
weekly Lamar Democrat, in the town of Harry S. Truman's birth.
  While editing the Jefferson City newspaper, Kirkpatrick was 
approached by then-Governor Forrest Smith to write a newspaper column 
and speeches for Missouri's chief executive. That is what really got 
him interested in politics, which became his legacy.
  Jimmy Kirkpatrick first ran for statewide office in 1960, when he 
lost his bid to become Missouri Secretary of State to rising Democrat 
star Warren Hearnes. He won the job four years later, in 1964, when 
Hearnes was elected governor. Kirkpatrick was re-elected to his post as 
Secretary of State until his retirement in 1985. During his tenure, he 
received 8.4 million votes, making him Missouri's greatest statewide 
vote-getter since statehood. In his twenty year tenure, Kirkpatrick 
made over 1900 speeches which kept him very close to the constituents 
about which he cared so deeply.
  In 1985, Kirkpatrick retired to Warrensburg, MO, whereupon he became 
the statehouse's most familiar booster of Central Missouri State 
University. In fact, he served for 12 years on the university's Board 
of Regents, including ten years as its president. Kirkpatrick was also 
a guest lecturer at CMSU in history, government, political science, and 
journalism classes. The university recently honored Kirkpatrick by 
naming its new library after him.
  Kirkpatrick's first wife, Jessamine Elizabeth Young, passed away in 
1985 after a 58-year marriage. He is survived by his second wife, 
Doris, one son, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and 
three stepchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, Jimmy Kirkpatrick displayed honor and integrity 
throughout his civic career. His admiration for and dedication to the 
people of Missouri is unprecedented, and I am certain that the Members 
of the House will join me in honoring the legacy of Missouri's own 
``Mr. Democrat.''

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