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Sen. Richard honored with Lifetime Achievement Award at Lincoln Days

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Republican Party honored the first person in the state’s history to serve as both Speaker of the House and President Pro Tem of the Senate.

During the annual statewide Lincoln Day celebration, the Missouri Republican Party recognized former-Sen. Ron Richards with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe presented the award on March 1, 2019, in St. Louis.

“Missouri will know forever that there is only one person in history that has served as both Speaker of the Missouri House and President Pro Tem of the Senate,” Kehoe said.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, former Sen. Ron Richard, Gov. Mike Kehoe, and former Gov. Matt Blunt with Richard’s lifetime achievement award11

In the House, Senate, and various leadership positions, Richard focused on primary and secondary education, reducing taxes and regulations, and fighting for a balance of power in Jefferson City.

“When the history of the state of Missouri is written, Ron Richard will most certainly have a chapter,” Governor Mike Parson previously said. “Our state has known few public servants who have been a more effective advocate for Missourians than Ron and I’m proud we’re able to honor my friend in this well-deserved fashion.”

A successful businessman in his hometown of Joplin, Richard began in public service on Joplin’s City Council in 1990 and was elected Mayor in 1994. In 2002, he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives and in January of 2009, he was elected the 71st Speaker of the Missouri House of Representatives by his peers. Richard went on to serve southwest Missouri in the Senate and elected President Pro Tem of the Senate in 2015.