JEFFERSON CITY - Leaders of the Missouri State Senate are proud to announce a special event in honor of some of the greatest lawmakers in Show-Me State history. The Senate will host a memorial service for former senators, where current members will celebrate the lives and legacies of the leaders who came before them.

“Our Senate has a 200-year history,” said Senate Leader Tom Dempsey, R-St. Charles. “We consider ourselves a family, and we want to honor the members of our family who have passed away. This will be the first time in nearly 30 years that we have been able to host such a meaningful event.”

The special memorial service will be held on Monday, April 14, 2014, at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Chamber. The Senate will honor family members of senators who have passed away since May 1987.

“Without the love and support of family members, mine included, we would not be here in Jefferson City,” said Majority Floor Leader Ron Richard. “We would like to share our profound appreciation for these families’ willingness to sacrifice time with their loved ones while they served to make this state a greater place to live and work.”

Each former member will be recognized by a roll call and a rose. Family members will be invited to a reception immediately following the ceremony.

“This tribute is one small way we can recognize the public service and sacrifices of these former senators and their families," said Minority Floor Leader Jolie Justus, D-Kansas City.

If you are a relative who would like to attend, please contact the Secretary of the Senate Terry Spieler (tspieler@senate.mo.gov; 573-751-3766) for more information. You can also visit the Senate’s website at www.senate.mo.gov and click on the Senate Memorial link.