Dee Loflin, SMT Writer
Gov. Jay Nixon today appointed Michael J. Ponder of Cape Girardeau, to the University of Missouri Board of Curators, which oversees the operation of the four-campus University of Missouri System.
Mr. Ponder is a 1990 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law and obtained his bachelor's degree from Central Methodist University in Fayette. He has been a partner in the Cape Girardeau law firm of Cook, Barkett, Ponder and Wolz since 1998. He has successfully litigated catastrophic injury cases and has handled complex business class actions as lead or co-lead counsel.
He has been active with the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce and local United Way, as well as the Cape Riverfront Market Steering Committee. He has served on the State Board of Education since 2009.
The Governor has appointed Ponder for a term ending January 1, 2019.
"Michael has been a great leader for Missouri education through his service on the State Board of Education for the past four year," Gov. Nixon said. "He will bring his experience and insight to the Board of Curators to help keep tuition affordable, while preparing the next generation of graduates to compete and succeed in today's growing economy."
The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Missouri Senate.
The year 2012 is coming to a close. It also marks the end of my time in the Missouri Legislature. I am greatly appreciative to the citizens of District 162 to allow me this opportunity for the past nine years.
When I decided to run for office, it was my goal to help the citizens of District 162. We have many challenges in this area. I wanted to make sure that people in my district were comfortable to contact me for help. I pride myself in helping anyway I can. There were many successful outcomes. Unfortunately some issues were completely out of my hands but I tried to direct them to someone who could help. I am thankful I had two very hard working Legislative Assistants, Emily Scheulen for the first four years and Keri Wolters for the past 5 years. Both these ladies were competent and conscientious. It didn’t make a difference to us what party affiliation you were when you called, we were there to help.
Looking back on my tenure in the General Assembly, one of my proudest moments was the success in rebuilding the Caruthersville High School after the tornado devastated our area on April 2, 2006. It became evident that we had unresolved issues with the insurance company and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and nothing was getting accomplished to fix the school. The General Assembly stepped up to help us. In 2008 we passed Senate Bill 1170, which I handled in the House that created the Rebuild Missouri Schools Program. This bill gives schools that have been destroyed in a tornado, fire or flood a no interest loan through the State Board of Education to help rebuild their schools. It was an exciting day on February 18, 2011 when the high school students walked through the doors of the new school. The senior class had only attended classes in FEMA trailers throughout their high school career until this point.
One of the greatest pleasures serving as a State Representative is presenting resolutions to those who have reached a milestone or accomplishment in their life such as a significant birthday or anniversary. I was thrilled that one of the last things I did as a Representative was to present a resolution to my good friends Terry and Mary Ellen Rollins commemorating their 60th Wedding Anniversary. I have a long standing special friendship with Terry Rollins as a fishing buddy, past neighbor and a fellow past District Governor of the Rotary International. It was a great way to end my tenure.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of District 162. I wish everyone a healthy and prosperous Happy New Year.
Submitted by
JEFFERSON CITY - Gov. Jay Nixon is encouraging the nomination of deserving Missourians for the Citizen Service Before Self Honors, which recognize and honor ordinary Americans who become extraordinary through their indomitable courage and selflessness.
The Governor said there have been many recent instances of Missourians distinguishing themselves in serving others. Three civilians will be selected from among 20 national finalists to receive the honors from recipients of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest award for valor, at a March 25th ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery near the Tomb of the Unknowns. The recipients of the Medal of Honor comprise the congressionally chartered Medal of Honor Society.
Gov. Nixon and the Medal of Honor recipients encourage the nomination of any American civilian who has clearly demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice for others, whether through a single act of extraordinary heroism at risk to one's life or through a prolonged series of selfless acts. The nominee's actions must epitomize the concept of "service before self" and must be performed "above and beyond" one's professional area of responsibility or conduct. In 2009, David Bryan of Kansas City received the award for rescuing a motorist from a burning vehicle on Interstate 70 near Higginsville.
The nominations are being accepted online at www.CitizenServiceBeforeSelfHonors.org by The Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society to perpetuate the Medal of Honor's legacy of courage, sacrifice, selfless service and patriotism. The website explains the criteria for nominating someone for the honor. The nomination period for the 2013 Citizen Service Before Self Honors ends Dec. 28, 2012
Since it was established by President Lincoln as our nation's highest award for military valor, the Medal of Honor has been awarded fewer than 3,500 times. There are fewer than 85 living recipients of the Medal, ranging in age from 24 to 95.
“During the Christmas season, Missourians gather together in joy and celebration with family and friends. This is also a time when we give special thanks for those who are dear to us, for our faith, and for the many blessings in our lives.
“At the holiday dinner table in many Missouri homes, there will be an empty seat because a son or a daughter, or a mother or a father, is overseas serving in our nation’s armed forces. They are thousands of miles away from Missouri and from their families this holiday season – protecting our country, and protecting us.
“I ask that in your thoughts and prayers this Christmas that you remember those serving in the military. Our prayer is that they are kept safe, even as they put themselves in harm’s way on our behalf, and that they return home soon. Please remember the families of those who are serving, as well, as they especially miss their loved ones at this time of year.
“The message of Christmas is one of joy, love and peace, and it has endured for more than two thousand years. In that spirit, Georganne and I wish all Missourians a safe, happy and healthy Christmas season, and a new year filled with joy and peace. May God continue to bless our great state of Missouri.”
By Kent Hampton
At 7:55 a.m. Hawaii time, a Japanese dive bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan on its wings appears out of the clouds above the island of Oahu. A swarm of 360 Japanese warplanes followed, descending on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in a ferocious assault. The surprise attack struck a critical blow against the U.S. Pacific fleet and drew the United States irrevocably into World War II.
With diplomatic negotiations with Japan breaking down, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisers knew that an imminent Japanese attack was probable, but nothing had been done to increase security at the important naval base at Pearl Harbor. It was Sunday morning, and many military personnel had been given passes to attend religious services off base. At 7:02 a.m., two radar operators spotted large groups of aircraft in flight toward the island from the north, but, with a flight of B-17s expected from the United States at the time, they were told to sound no alarm. Thus, the Japanese air assault came as a devastating surprise to the naval base.
Much of the Pacific fleet was rendered useless: Five of eight battleships, three destroyers, and seven other ships were sunk or severely damaged, and more than 200 aircraft were destroyed. A total of 2,400 Americans were killed and 1,200 were wounded, many while valiantly attempting to repulse the attack. Japan's losses were some 30 planes, five midget submarines, and fewer than 100 men. Fortunately for the United States, all three Pacific fleet carriers were out at sea on training maneuvers. These giant aircraft carriers would have their revenge against Japan six months later at the Battle of Midway, reversing the tide against the previously invincible Japanese navy in a spectacular victory.
The day after Pearl Harbor was bombed, President Roosevelt appeared before a joint session of Congress and declared, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941--a date which will live in infamy--the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan." After a brief and forceful speech, he asked Congress to approve a resolution recognizing the state of war between the United States and Japan. The Senate voted for war against Japan by 82 to 0, and the House of Representatives approved the resolution by a vote of 388 to 1. The sole dissenter was Representative Jeannette Rankin of Montana, a devout pacifist who had also cast a dissenting vote against the U.S. entrance into World War I. Three days later, Germany and Italy declared war against the United States, and the U.S. government responded in kind.
The American contribution to the successful Allied war effort spanned four long years and cost more than 400,000 American lives.
As always, it is an honor to serve you in the Missouri House. If you would like to discuss any issue, please call 573-751-3629. You can also email me at Kent.Hampton@house.mo.gov. I look forward to hearing from you.
