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Lincoln Days wrap up with Legislator of the Year honors

ST. LOUIS – As Lincoln Days 2016 came to a close, the final banquet featured a panel of four living Missouri Republican U.S. Senators, while also taking time to honor a legislator from each chamber for their work on conservative matters. 

The Missouri Pachyderm Federation chose Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Glendale, from the Senate and Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Springfield, from the House for their commitment to conservative causes. Schmitt was the sponsor of SB 5, which sought to end the practice of “taxation by citation,” served on the Interim Senate Sanctity of Life Committee, and has been a leader for the party in Jefferson City.

Burlison led the fight on Right-to-Work legislation, writing the bill that eventually got overturned by a veto, and has been as strict a constitutionalist as anyone in the party.

The panel discussion featured Roy Blunt, Jim Talent, John Ashcroft and Christopher “Kit” Bond. They discussed the Hillary Clinton email scandal, the decline of America’s standing abroad, and the nation’s weakening military infrastructure.

The banquet essentially ended the major festivities at Lincoln Days 2016, with many of the attendees crediting state GOP leader John Hancock for organizing the event. Sunday morning, there will be a watch party for This Week in Missouri Politics before the even officially concludes.