Former Gov. Warren Hearnes passed away on Sunday evening. He was 86.
The southeast Missouri native was the first Missourian to serve two terms as governor. He's widely remembered for overseeing the passage of a major state civil rights act and pumping support for schools.
He is also one of the few politicians to serve in the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government. He was elected a judge later in is his political career in southeast Missouri.
Gov. Jay Nixon released the following statement praising Hearnes:
Early
this morning, we received the sad news about the passing of one of
Missouri’s true 20th Century statesmen, former Governor Warren
E. Hearnes.
Gov.
Hearnes was a groundbreaking man of Missouri in many ways, beyond being the
first Missouri Governor to serve two successive terms.
When
he saw how Missourians with mental illness were warehoused in state hospitals,
he created the system of regional mental health centers to provide effective
treatment.
When
he saw how Missouri’s public schools were not keeping up with other states,
he greatly increased state aid for education to give our students and teachers
the resources they needed.
And
when he saw racial injustice, he signed Missouri’s first civil rights
act, a public accommodations bill sponsored in the House by a young state
representative named Mel Carnahan.
Warren
Hearnes was a man who got things done – as Majority Floor Leader, as
Secretary of State, and as Governor – and Missouri is a better place
because he answered the call to a life of public service.
Georganne
and I are keeping the Hearnes family, especially his wife, former First Lady
Betty Hearnes, in our thoughts and prayers. Over the next few days, my staff
and I will be working with the Hearnes family to ensure Gov. Hearnes is given
appropriate honors by the State of Missouri.
KBIA Commentary: On Warren E. Hearnes
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