Missouri legislators honor Libertarian

America’s third largest political party joined the Missouri House of Representatives Wednesday in honoring Libertarian Party activist and Grandview City Councilman-elect Mike Ferguson. On Feb. 25, the House unanimously presented Ferguson with a resolution recognizing his community service and professional accomplishments.

“As a loving father, successful professional, knowledgeable educator, committed community activist and tireless public servant, Mike Ferguson is a great example of what the Libertarian Party is all about,” said William Redpath, Chairman of the Libertarian National Committee. “It is no surprise, and a great honor, that the Missouri House would take the time to recognize and thank a great Libertarian Party member.”

Ferguson ran unopposed earlier this year for a seat on the Grandview City Council. A former Kansas City journalist, Ferguson is also a successful staffing professional and member of several local government boards and commissions. Ferguson and his two children, Austin and Amber, attend Southland Baptist Church.

Ferguson is not the only Libertarian serving in Missouri government. In Springfield, Missouri’s third-largest city, Libertarians Tom Martz and Robert Stephens were the top two finishers for a seat on the Springfield City Council. They will meet in an April runoff election to decide which Libertarian joins Libertarian Councilman Doug Burlison on the City Council. Burlison was elected in 2007.

The resolution, sponsored by Representatives Jonas Hughes (D-Kansas City) and Jason Holsman (D-Kansas City) reads:

Whereas, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives hold in high esteem those Show-Me State residents who have proven down through the years to be exemplary citizens in local communities and neighborhoods through the depth and breadth of their civic involvement; and

Whereas, Mike Ferguson of Grandview, Missouri, has attained considerable distinction as the producer/host of the Missouri Viewpoints web site, an adjunct professor, a freelance writer and communications consultant, and an alderman; and

Whereas, holder of Certified Staffing Professional recognition from the American Staffing Association, Mike Ferguson gained a significant amount of knowledge, skills, and experiences when he managed the human resources department for one of America’s fastest growing companies and the recruiting, training, and human resources operations for divisions of two Fortune 500 companies; and

Whereas, prior to working in human resources, Mike Ferguson was a journalist in the Kansas City area whose media experiences included television, radio, and newspaper; and

Whereas, Mike Ferguson has been integrally involved with the Missouri State Plan Committee, city of Grandview Transportation Committee, Jackson County Public Water Supply District No. 1 Board of Directors, and Grandview Planning Commission; and

Whereas, no stranger to honors and accolades, Mike Ferguson is the recipient of a Champion of Freedom Award from the Missouri Libertarian Party and a Thomas Paine Award from the Libertarian National Committee, was selected as the Libertarian Party’s state lieutenant governor nominee, and has been invited to appear on national television four times as a host, speaker or guest; and

Whereas, Mike Ferguson is a member of Southland Baptist Church, where he is universally praised as a loving father to Austin and Amber:

Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the Members of the Missouri House of Representatives, Ninety-Fifth General Assembly, join unanimously to applaud the personal and professional accomplishments garnered thus far in life and the work of Mike Ferguson and to convey to him this legislative body’s most heartfelt wishes for continued success for many more years to come; and

Be it further resolved that the Chief Clerk of the Missouri House of Representatives be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for presentation to Mike Ferguson of Grandview, Missouri.

Offered by
Representative Leonard (Jonas) Hughes, IV
District No. 42

Representative Jason R. Holsman
District No. 45

I, Ronald F. Richard, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ninety-Fifth General Assembly, First Regular Session, do certify that the above is a true and correct copy of House Resolution No. 813, adopted February 25, 2009.