As we approach the middle of December, Christmas is just around the corner. There is no other holiday that brings such memories, or draws families closer than Christmas. However, after the turkey or ham has been carved, homemade treats made and eaten, and journeys fulfilled, we are left with the warmth and closeness of family and friends and the great fortune of celebrating our accomplishments of the past year and looking forward to the next.

I am honored to serve the constituents of the 21st Senatorial District and to be your voice in the Missouri Senate. We have been able to bring many beneficial ideas to the table and we will continue to do so in the upcoming session. I am pleased that my seniority in the Senate has granted me Senate Bills 1, 2, and 3, making my legislative priorities, such as education and ethics reform, among the first to possibly be granted hearings in committees.

The First Regular Session of the 98th General Assembly is slated to begin Jan. 7, 2015. This session is already looking productive and exciting, with many joint committees meeting these last few weeks of the year in order to hit the ground running.

I would also like to remind you that this season brings with it a chance to help those less fortunate. I encourage you to take part in the holidays by ringing the bell to help fill those famous red kettles, donating some of the nonperishable food items in your kitchen to the nearest food bank, or even fulfilling the Christmas wish list of a deserving child in your community. Knowing you have a made a difference in someone else’s life is one of the greatest gifts of Christmas.

Thank you, again, for the opportunity to hold this position, and for the chance to take part in the future of Missouri.

From my family at home in the 21st Senatorial District and from my family in the Capitol, we wish you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season.

As always, please feel free to contact me or my staff with any questions or concerns at any time. We look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions and trying to answer any questions you may have. You can reach us by phone at 866-277-0882 (toll-free) or 573-751-2272, or by fax at 573-526-7381.