Legislation Sponsored by Senator Jamilah Nasheed Signed by Governor

JEFFERSON CITY — Today, June 25, the governor signed Senate Bill 156, legislation sponsored by Sen. Jamilah Nasheed, D-St. Louis. This legislation will change the name of part of Natural Bridge Avenue in St. Louis. The roadway, formally known as State Highway 115, from Salisbury Street west to Jennings Station Road, will now be called the Theodore McNeal Highway. Senator McNeal was a civil rights pioneer, and served as Missouri’s first African-American State Senator from 1960 to 1970.

“This great Senator and man, helped pass the Fair Employment Practices Act in 1961 and the Missouri Civil Rights Act of 1965. He also supported the creation of the University of Missouri-St. Louis,” Sen. Nasheed said. “He did some great things for St. Louis and Missouri. It’s important to celebrate the leaders who have paved the way for the African-American community.”

After McNeal left the Senate, he became the first black curator of the University of Missouri. He was appointed by Gov. Warren Hearnes in 1971 and remained on the board until 1973 when he was appointed by Gov. Christopher "Kit" Bond as president of the St. Louis Board of Police Commissioners. McNeal remained on the police board until 1977. He died in 1982.

“As promised when the bill was first introduced, I plan to work to ensure there is private funding for the cost of signs designating the road's new name,” Sen. Nasheed said.