Truman Days 2012!
We are extremely proud to inform you that we have secured Governor Tim Kaine as our keynote speaker for Truman Days (May 11 – 12). Governor Kaine, the former head of the DNC and current candidate for US Senate in Virginia, is a hometown, Rockhurst boy made good. Given that May 13th. Please be sure to hold May 12th for our annual dinner. This year is our 25th Anniversary of Truman Days. With such an important election in front of us in 2012, we hope that all of you join us this year to help rally the faithful. Thank you and Happy New Year.
-Stephen Bough,
Chairman
Jackson County Democratic Committee
This year we are excited to celebrate our 25th anniversary. Please check back for more information as it becomes available. Feel free to contact the office with any questions.
Our Award Winners from 2011:
SYBIL DANIELS YOUNG DEMOCRAT OF THE YEAR
DaRon McGee
Our honoree graduated from Grandview High School in 2006. He earned his BA, from the University Missouri-Kansas City 2010. As a freshman he was appointed to serve as the Senator for the department of Arts and Sciences in the Student Senate. In 2008 he was elected to be Executive Vice-President and President of the Student Senate and was appointed by University of Missouri President Gary Foresee as a board member of the Intercampus Student Council (ISC). Mr. McGee was also President and Chairman of the UMKC College Democrats; in this role he was instrumental in organizing young people to vote for President Obama in the primary and general election. Currently he is the Coordinator for Drug Prevention with United Inner City Services. He also serves as the Chair of Urban Summit -Young Professionals and is the Co-Founder of 1840 Vote Project; a non-partisan get out the vote effort for young people between the ages of 18-40.
WIGGINS AWARD
United Eastern Democrats
This organization was formed May 17, 1977 – by Bill Baker, Jack Cardwell, Jerry Mackey, Dick Schmidt, J R Stewart and Lu Vaughan. The first meeting to establish this club was held in the ONION ROOM of Jerry Mackey’s HI-BOY Restaurant. It was formed to help promote and elect local and state democratic candidates. Bill Baker was the first President of this club, Jacks Cardwell was the first Vice-President and Bill served as President until he joined the Jackson County Election Board.
After various conversations about a Unity Event between the area Democratic Clubs, the UED called the first meeting toward that end on May 25, 1989 at the Courthouse Exchange Restaurant in the back room. Representatives from the area clubs attended and decided on an Oktoberfest to be held on October 14, 1989 at Mike Onka Hall in Sugar Creek. In fact it was founders Bill Baker, Lu Vaughn and Ann Gardner of Kansas City that began the tradition of Truman Days while Bill was Chair of the County Committee
UED still provides rides to the Polls on Election Day and provides food for the drivers and office help and remains involved in local and state elections of candidates.
RONNIE DEPASCO AWARD
Senator Yvonne Wilson
Our honoree tonight was elected to the Missouri Senate in August 2004 following a 5 year experience in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was re-elected to the Missouri Senate in November 2008 and held a leadership position in the upper chamber as Minority Caucus Secretary. She represented the 9thdistrict of Kansas City in the Missouri Senate. Prior to her legislative duties, Sen. Wilson spent 35 years with the Kansas City School District as a teacher, consultant, and principal. She retired from the position as Director of Elementary Education in 1985. The first African-American to serve as President of the Missouri Association of Elementary School Principals, Sen. Wilson later became a candidate for President-elect of the 25,000 member National Association of Elementary School Principals.
Senator Wilson is a member of numerous committees and organizations locally and nationally including the Jackson County Democratic Committee serving as 16th Ward Committeewoman. She currently resides in Kansas City with her husband of 59 years, Jim. The couple has three children: Berishia Wilson Chamberlain, Alycia Rodriguez Nichols, and James E. (Jay) Wilson (deceased). Sen. Wilson and her husband are blessed with six grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
TRUMAN AWARDS
Orissa Kelly Logan -Truman Day Woman of the Year
Tonight’s honoree is a committed committee-woman for over 25 years. She is a grassroots worker and works and participates in every election and/or campaign. She will work for the party and ask no questions, dig deep and get volunteers to work, canvass, telephone banking (for all campaigns) and cover polls on election day, (any and all elections). She is accessible and coordinates all committee-men and women when needed. She is a small woman with a big heart. She is known throughout the community for bringing people together. We are proud of her service, being elected from the 7th Ward and the 17th Ward for over 25 years. It is people like Orissa Kelly Logan that are the back bone of the Democratic Party, seeking no honor, just the desire to serve.
Michael Mauer- Truman Day Man of Year
Our award recipient tonight has been a strong Democratic activist for over 25 years. He has served with distinction in the Independence Police Department. He has attended the FBI Academy and currently serves as a Volunteer Deputy Reservist with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. He has a love of travel and of horses and often combines the two. Our honoree tonight has been a member of the committee for a number of years. If you are looking for a boastful individual – well he is not that. He is a low key, humble, a true grass roots Democrat, one who is unafraid to work, and willing to spend his own money in electing good Dems to office. And, he is a true gentleman, something we need more of in this political atmosphere.
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