Shown above, Sen. Schaefer with Dr. M. Frederick Hawthorne and his wife.

Shown above, Dr. Boyd Terry, who served as Doctor of the Day in the Missouri Senate.

Shown above, Sen. Schaefer with Mekka Garcia, a senior majoring in biochemistry, with her display “Understanding the Bone Abnormalities of a Genetic Disease: Hurler Syndrome.”

Last Thursday (3-7), I had the great pleasure of introducing Dr. M. Frederick Hawthorne and his wife to the members of the Senate. I presented Dr. Hawthorne with a Senate resolution in honor of his lifetime achievements.  Dr. Hawthorne is the founder and Director of MU’s International Institute of Nano and Molecular Medicine and a Curators’ Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Radiology.  On Feb. 1 of this year, the president presented him with the National Medal of Science, the highest honor given to scientists by the U.S. government.

I also introduce Dr. Boyd Terry to the Missouri Senate on Thursday (3-7). Dr. Terry was in the Capitol as the Doctor of the Day.

Last Thursday (3-7) was a busy day in the Capitol Rotunda.  Forty undergraduate students participated in the University of Missouri Undergraduate Research Day.  The students were from the University of Missouri campuses in Columbia, Kansas City, St. Louis and Rolla.  I had the pleasure of meeting five Columbia students and viewed their displays. 

This week (3-11), the Appropriations Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 350, House Bill 14, House Bill 55 and Senate Bill 349.  Senate Bill 350 creates the Missouri Senior Services Protection Fund; HB 14 is the supplemental appropriations bill; HB 55 authorizes a tax amnesty period; and SB 349 provides for the expansion of MO HealthNet services beginning Jan. 1, 2014.  Senate Bill 350 and HB 14 were voted out of committee and reported to the Senate.  Senate Bill 350 is currently on the formal

calendar of Senate bills for perfection.  House Bill 14 was third read and passed on Thursday (3-14). Senate Bill 349 did not receive the passing votes needed to move the measure to the full Senate for debate.

On Tuesday (3-12), fourth grade students from Christian Chapel, along with their parents, visited the Capitol and were introduced to the Senate and the House of Representatives.

On Wednesday (3-13), the Appropriations Committee heard testimony from the Missouri Department of Revenue regarding their current policy for documentation to issue drivers’ licenses and conceal carry weapon permits. 

On Thursday (3-14), Senate Joint Resolution 14, my legislation to modify constitutional provisions regarding the right to keep and bear arms, and Senate Bill 72, a measure I’m sponsoring this year that would designate the month of May as “Motorcycle Awareness Month,” were placed on the formal calendar for perfection.

Many associations stopped by our office during their legislative day in the Capitol.  A few included the Mid-Missouri Alzheimer’s Association, the Missouri Beverage Association, Missouri Cattleman’s Association and the Missouri Police Chiefs Association.

The Missouri Senate is observing spring break March 15 thru March 24. There will be no newsletter next week.

Shown above, Sen. Schaefer with Sital Raj Uprety, a junior majoring in civil and environmental engineering, with his display “Stormwater Pollution Control Using Drinking Water Treatment By-products.”	Shown above, Sen. Schafer with Jordan Bartlebaugh, a senior majoring in biological services, with her display “Understanding Specific Steps in the Process of Gene Expression.”
Shown above, Sen. Schaefer with Allison Siroky, a senior majoring in psychology, with her display “Parent-Child Communication May Encourage Academic Success in Adolescence.”	Shown above, Sen. Schaefer with Omar Taranissi, a sophomore majoring in biological science, with his display “A Model of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Mice.”

Did you know..?

Missouri State Archives

For nearly a century after achieving statehood, Missouri did not have an official flag. The idea for a flag originated in 1908, when the Daughters of the American Revolution formed a committee to look into designing a state flag. The head of the committee was Mrs. Marie Elizabeth Oliver, wife of Sen. Robert Burett Oliver, and a resident of Cape Girardeau. Mrs. Oliver eventually designed the flag herself, and on March 17, 1909, a bill supporting the design was introduced to the Missouri Senate.

Mrs. Oliver's design showed originality, and though simply designed, contained many messages. It took three years and several attempts before the bill for the "Oliver flag" was finally passed. On March 22, 1913, Gov. Elliot Major signed the bill into law, and made the Oliver flag the official state flag of Missouri.

Thank you for your continued interest in the issues that affect the citizens of Boone and Cooper counties. If you have any questions or concerns throughout this session, please contact my office.