[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16195]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING HARRY WIGGINS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2004

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor my dear friend 
and former colleague, State Senator Harry Wiggins. Harry is the 
quintessential gentleman and a distinguished statesman. He dedicated 
his life to the betterment of our community and state.
  Kansas City is home for Harry. A devoted son to his mother and 
father, young Harry attended St. Elizabeth's Grade School and Lillis 
High School. He continues to support these local institutions that 
fostered his academic growth. He received his law degree from Saint 
Louis University and served his country in the Army from 1957 to 1959.
  Harry was inspired to a life of public service, as I was, by Robert 
Kennedy. He fulfilled Bobby Kennedy's prophesy that ``few will have the 
greatness to bend history itself; but each of us can work to change a 
small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be 
written the history of this generation.'' In 1961 Harry was appointed 
by Attorney General Robert Kennedy to serve as Assistant U.S. Attorney 
for the Western District of Missouri.
  In 1970, Harry was elected Western Judge of Jackson County, joining 
Presiding Judge George W. Lehr and Eastern Judge Joe Bolger in bringing 
growth and prosperity to Jackson County, and following in the footsteps 
of Harry S Truman who had earlier served as Eastern Judge. The dynamic 
combination of Lehr, Bolger, and Wiggins catapulted Kansas City into a 
major sports city with the creation of the Truman Sports Complex. Judge 
Wiggins traveled to New York's financial bond market to ensure funding 
for the innovative complex.
  Known for his tenacity and persistence as a crusader, Harry was 
elected to the Missouri State Senate for the Tenth District in 1974 and 
served with distinction for 28 years. From 1980 to 1984 he served as 
Majority Floor Leader. I fondly remember the eighteen years in which I 
worked with Senator Wiggins on numerous bills for our community and 
state when I joined my friend in Jefferson City as a State 
Representative in 1976. For 12 years we partnered on landmark fiscal 
policy as we each chaired the Ways and Means Committees of our 
respective chambers.
  Harry's civic and charitable awards include: the 2001 Charles Evans 
Whittaker Award for outstanding lawyer of Kansas City; 2001 Outstanding 
Advocacy for Children Award from the Associated PTA's of Missouri; and 
the 2002 Tiger Roar Award from University of Missouri Alumni 
Association. In 2000, the Mr. Baseball in Kansas City Award was 
presented to Senator Harry Wiggins by the Kansas City Royals for 
furthering the cause of professional baseball in Kansas City. From his 
initial role in securing funding to build the stadium as a Jackson 
County Judge, to obtaining a 25 year lease that insured the Royals 
remain in Kansas City as a Senator, the Royals knew they could count on 
Harry. The Senator proudly wore his Royals hat, enjoyed spring training 
with the team, and was truly Mr. K.C. Baseball.
  When you look into Harry's blue eyes you see compassion, respect and 
commitment. He served until term limits forced his retirement from the 
Senate, and in 2002 joined the prestigious law firm of Blackwell, 
Sanders, Peper and Martin.
  Mr. Speaker, Harry Wiggins is a man who has selflessly served, and 
who has left his mark on the lives of Kansas Citians and all 
Missourians. Thank you, Harry, for making our community and state a 
better place. Mr. Speaker, please join me in saluting this unique 
public servant.

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