[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 103 (Tuesday, June 13, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H2876-H2877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  2100
              HONORING THE LIVES OF TWO GREAT MISSOURIANS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 9, 2023, the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Burlison) is 
recognized for the remainder of the hour as the designee of the 
majority leader.
  Mr. BURLISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of two 
great Missourians who burned brightly, but sadly, their lives were cut 
short.
  The first public servant from Missouri is William Duston. William 
Thomas Duston--his nickname was ``Dub''--was a father, a public 
servant, and a Taney County community leader.
  Dub was a well-educated man. He earned degrees from Middle Tennessee 
State and James Madison and a law degree from American University.
  Upon finishing his education, Dub started a life of public service 
here as a legislative assistant to then-Senator John Ashcroft, a 
legend, until Dub returned home to Branson.
  He subsequently became Branson's city prosecutor in 2006 before 
becoming city attorney, a role that he held until being elected the 
Taney County prosecuting attorney in 2018.
  Dub had many jobs in his life, but his favorite was being a dad. He 
loved spending time with his wife and daughters. He loved cooking, and 
he loved restoring Ford cars.
  Dub is survived by his wife, Charlie; his daughters, Shiloh and 
Raleigh; his aunts, his cousins, and extended family; and the Young 
family.
  On behalf of southwest Missouri, I join Taney County and our 
community in honoring his life and lasting impact.
  The second great Missourian is Ron Richard. Ron Richard was a father, 
grandfather, local businessman, and dedicated public servant to the 
city of Joplin and all of Missouri.
  Ron started out his life owning and operating bowling alleys before 
entering a life of public service. During his three decades of public 
service, he served as a councilmember and then as the mayor of Joplin.
  He then served as a State representative and was elected by his 
colleagues to be speaker of the Missouri House. Eventually, he served 
in the State senate, where he was then elected by his colleagues to be 
the president pro tem of the Missouri Senate.
  In fact, Mr. Speaker, Ron Richard is the only person in Missouri 
history to serve as the leader of both chambers, the house and the 
senate, and only the fifth person in our Nation's history to have done 
so.
  His career of service did not end with his retirement from the 
legislature. He was appointed by Missouri Governor Mike Parson to the 
Missouri Southern State University board of governors, a

[[Page H2877]]

position that he held at the time of his death. He also served on the 
board of the Missouri Higher Education Savings Program and continued to 
be active in local and State politics.
  Beyond the titles and the accolades, he was a mentor and a friend to 
all who knew him, including me.
  Ron is survived by his wife, Patty; his children, Kara and Chad; his 
grandchildren; and siblings and numerous family members who loved him.
  It is an honor and privilege to have known him and to have had him as 
a constituent, as well. He exhibited a life of service, and we mourn 
his untimely death. Our prayers are with his wife, Patty, and the rest 
of his family and friends.
  I will say that my life in public service began as a freshman, green, 
wet behind the ears, and Ron was my speaker. He was my leader. While 
being speaker wasn't the last role that he had--he was able to be the 
president of the senate--to me, he was always my speaker.
  Missouri lost a good one.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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