[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF FORMER MISSOURI GOVERNOR WARREN E. HEARNES AND FORMER 
           MISSOURI STATE REPRESENTATIVE BETTY COOPER HEARNES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2003

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two 
great Missourians, Governor Warren E. Hearnes and his wife, State 
Representative Betty Cooper Hearnes on their birthdays.
  I salute the accomplishments of Governor Hearnes and Representative 
Hearnes. I worked alongside Betty in the General Assembly. In true 
fashion, she does not want to be recognized for her accomplishments, 
but I would be remiss not to mention her great contributions to our 
State as an elected official and First Lady. The Hearnes have shared 
significant roles in the State of Missouri, shaped and crafted sound 
public policy, and served as beacons of light for our citizens and our 
party.
  The Hearnes celebrate the same birthday and today marks Warren's 80th 
birthday and Betty's 76th birthday. I salute the remarkable longevity 
of their lives together and their lifelong commitment to public 
service.
  Warren Hearnes is renowned for his tenacity and principles as a 
public official. Governor Hearnes is a graduate from West Point 
Military Academy, as well as from the University of Missouri Columbia 
Law School. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II, he was 
elected to the Missouri House of Representatives the following year, 
and later went on to serve as Secretary of State. He will long be 
remembered for his unwavering stance to promote state autonomy. 
Governor Hearnes' fight with the Johnson administration often made him 
disliked by the presidency but admired by his colleagues in the 
National Governors Conference throughout the sixties and seventies.
  During his time in office, the state legislature overwhelmingly 
approved and the people ratified a constitutional amendment to allow 
future Governors of Missouri to serve two consecutive four year terms. 
Thus, Governor Hearnes ran for and won a second term with the largest 
percentage of popular votes in Missouri history. In his second term he 
facilitated reforms to improve universities and colleges, ushered in 
massive road improvements, and supported the troops in Vietnam but 
questioned the administration's plan to pursue such a war. Following 
his term in office, he continued his public advocacy by spending 
sixteen years working as the Executive Director of the Southeast 
Missouri Legal Services, an agency to assist people with low incomes in 
dire need of legal counseling.
  Like her husband, Betty Hearnes is an amazing mentor and friend to 
everyone she meets. She was an excellent model and confidante during 
the seventies and eighties when the Missouri legislature had very few 
women in office. In 1979, Betty won the same Missouri House seat her 
husband held years prior. In addition, she served as Chairwoman of the 
Democratic State Committee, President of the Mississippi County 
Industrial Development Authority, as a major facilitator of the Warren 
E. Hearnes Museum, and a volunteer currently involved in countless 
civic and charity projects. Today Warren and Betty continue to spend 
time in Charleston, Missouri serving those most in need. Their endless 
generosity is an inspiration to us all.
  I congratulate Warren and Betty Hearnes on this meaningful occasion 
and shared birthday. I am grateful for their friendship and am honored 
to recognize them for their vast personal accomplishments and lifetime 
of public service.

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