James Kirkpatrick (politician)

James C. Kirkpatrick (June 15, 1905 – December 26, 1997) was an American politician from Missouri, USA.

For other politicians of this name, see James Kirkpatrick (disambiguation).
James C. Kirkpatrick
32nd Secretary of State of Missouri
In office
January 11, 1965 – January 8, 1985
GovernorWarren Hearnes
Kit Bond
Joseph Teasdale
Kit Bond
Preceded byWarren Hearnes
Succeeded byRoy Blunt
Personal details
Born(1905-06-15)June 15, 1905
Braymer, Missouri, U.S.
DiedDecember 26, 1997(1997-12-26) (aged 92)
Warrenburg, Missouri, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Jessamine Young
Doris Houx
Alma materCentral Missouri State College

Early life

He was born in Braymer, Missouri, graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, Missouri and Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri. He was a member of Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity. He started his newspaper career at The Daily Star-Journal in Warrensburg and rose to be its editor. He went on to be editor of the Jefferson City News-Tribune. He purchased weekly newspapers Windsor, Missouri Review and then the Lamar, Missouri Democrat. Governor Forrest Smith asked him to write speeches for him. In 1960 he was defeated by Warren Hearnes in his first bid for Missouri Secretary of State. He won his first term in 1964.[1]

Career

A member of the Democratic Party, he served as Missouri's Secretary of State from 1965 to 1985, establishing the current Missouri record for tenure of an elected state constitutional officer.

Kirkpatrick was a publisher by trade; the Northwest Missouri Press Association gives an annual award bearing his name.

Legacy

Numerous public facilities in Missouri have been named in Kirkpatrick's honor. Senate Concurrent Resolution 36, passed in 1998, renamed Missouri's State Information Center the James C. Kirkpatrick Information Center. The main library at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri, is named the James C. Kirkpatrick Library.

The Student Government Association at the University of Central Missouri has established the "James C. Kirkpatrick Excellence in Governance Award" for outstanding public service and the promotion of higher education in Missouri. This acknowledgment of service is awarded every spring for the past 23 years in the James C. Kirkpatrick Library around St. Patrick's day in honor of Mr. Kirkpatricks heritage.

Past recipients include:

  • Governor Matt Blunt,
  • Deleta Williams, State Representative and former UCM Board of Governors member,
  • Senator Claire McCaskill,
  • Governor Jay Nixon,
  • Robin Carnahan, Missouri Secretary of State,
  • David Pearce, State Representative,
  • Paul LeVota, House Democratic Leader.

References
  1. Congressional Record, V. 144, Pt. 1, January 27, 1998 to February 13 1998. December 2003. ISBN 9780160679773.
Political offices
Preceded by
Warren E. Hearnes		 Missouri Secretary of State
1965–1985		 Succeeded by
Roy Blunt
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