[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 96 (Friday, July 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1499-E1500]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO A GREAT MISSOURI LEGISLATOR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2005

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Missouri congressional 
delegation, I would like to join with my colleagues, Representatives 
Todd Akin, Roy Blunt, Russ Carnahan, Emanuel Cleaver, Jo Ann Emerson, 
Sam Graves, Kenny Hulshof and Ike Skelton in paying tribute to the late 
Honorable Larry Gene Taylor who passed away at the age of 51 on 
Wednesday, July 6, 2005, after a hard fought battle with cancer.

[[Page E1500]]

  It is with great sadness that I stand before you today to commemorate 
the life of one of this nation's outstanding public servants. Senator 
Larry Gene Taylor served in both the Missouri House and Senate during 
his career. He was a man filled with optimism and vision and he was a 
legislator who was truly dedicated to the people of Missouri.
  Senator Taylor was born on August 7, 1953, in Carthage, Missouri. He 
was educated in the Sarcoxie public schools and went on to attend 
Missouri Southern University in Joplin, Missouri. Mr. Taylor was a 
driven man who started his career in politics working in State 
Treasurer Wendell Bailey's office as his Director of Public Affairs. He 
was later elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 2002. As 
a State Representative he served as the Vice Chairman on the Tourism 
and Cultural Affairs Committee and as a majority member of the House 
Committee on Appropriations for Transportation and Economic Development 
and the House Committee on Job Creation and Economic Development.
  In 2004 he was elected to the State Senate where he was on several 
committees such as Aging, Families, Mental and Public Health, Ways and 
Means and Transportation. Senator Taylor worked vehemently to improve 
Missouri's infrastructure and played a key role in establishing a long 
term funding solution that greatly improved Missouri's education budget 
formula.
  Larry Gene Taylor was a public servant by blood. He inherited his 
love for politics from his father, the late U.S. Representative, Gene 
Taylor of Missouri's 7th Congressional District. Congressman Taylor was 
also a native Missourian who began his career in Missouri politics when 
he was elected mayor of Sarcoxie, Missouri in 1954. He spent the next 
35 years of his life as a public servant holding numerous positions 
including that of a United States Congressman. Congressman Taylor 
retired from politics in 1989 and later passed away in 1998. Together 
this father and son team has left a great political legacy in the state 
of Missouri.
  In a time when politics is dividing so many, Senator Taylor was known 
as one who united. He was capable of working with anyone regardless of 
their political ideology or party affiliation. He possessed the true 
spirit of bipartisanship. Senator Taylor was never one to play party 
politics; he was devoted to the people of Missouri. The compassion and 
understanding that he showed to them will always be remembered through 
his work and the genuine heartfelt relationships that he developed.
  In spite of his bout with cancer, Senator Taylor's perseverance would 
not allow him to give up. In fact, many were astounded and moved by how 
he managed to work right through the unimaginable pain and suffering 
that he must have experienced. His love for life is truly an 
inspiration to all who had the opportunity to know him. Mr. Speaker, 
Senator Taylor was a source of great pride not just for Missourians but 
for Americans everywhere. Not only have I had the honor of working with 
Senator Larry Gene Taylor, I have had the privilege of calling him my 
friend.

                          ____________________