Longtime State Representative Gene Copeland has died at the age of 74. Copeland represented the New Madrid area in the House for 38 years, the longest time anybody has ever served in the Missouri House.
Copeland retired from the House in 1998. He is credited with being a key figure in the location of the Noranda Aluminum Plant in New Madrid County.
Other lawmakers have served more time in the General Assembly than Copeland did, but they either split their time between the House and the Senate or served their entire careers in the Senate.