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Press release: Statement from Gov. Nixon on the passing away of former Missouri Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale

May 8, 2014

Statement from Gov. Nixon on the passing away of former Missouri Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale

JEFFERSON CITY – Gov. Jay Nixon today released the following statement upon the death of former Missouri Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale. The Governor also has ordered flags at all Missouri state facilities to be flown at half-staff until the date of interment for Gov. Teasdale.

Earlier this evening we received the sad news about the passing of a dedicated public servant, former Governor Joseph P. Teasdale.   Gov. Teasdale was a good man whose life was guided by a deep and abiding faith and a commitment to public service.

By the time he was elected as Governor in 1976 at the age of 40, Gov. Teasdale already had a record of accomplishment. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Kansas City, he headed up the organized crime section; then at the age of 30, he became the youngest prosecuting attorney in the history of Jackson County.

The hallmark of his 1976 campaign was his walking across the state to personally visit with Missourians, and the pages of Missouri’s political history were made richer with the image of “Walkin’ Joe.”

During his tenure as Governor, Gov. Teasdale was especially known for his actions in support of Missouri seniors. He created the Division of Aging, he pushed for passage of the Nursing Home Reform Act, and he supported removal of the state sales tax on prescription drugs.

Georganne and I are keeping the Teasdale family in our thoughts and prayers.

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