Congressman Emanuel Cleaver will deliver the eulogy for former colleague Ike Skelton this afternoon at Wentworth Military Academy at Skelton’s hometown of Lexington.
Bob Priddy is there:
Governor orders flags to half-staff Monday in honor of Skelton
Flags will be flown at half-staff in Missouri on Monday in honor of the late former Congressman Ike Skelton.
Skelton died Monday in a Virginia hospital. His funeral is Monday in Lexington. Governor Jay Nixon today ordered that U.S. and Missouri flags at all state buildings be flown at half-staff.
Nixon also issued this statement:
“From his earliest days as Lafayette County prosecuting attorney, during his 17 terms in Congress where he dedicated himself in a bi-partisan way to serving Missouri and those in our nation’s military, and through his final work on public commissions to honor our veterans, Ike Skelton’s life embodied service done not for self, but for the greater good.” Nixon adds, “I was honored to present him with Missouri’s highest military honor, the Conspicuous Service Medal, and even more honored to call him my longtime friend.
“Our country is more secure because of what Ike Skelton accomplished in Congress in a manner that was intelligent, humble and dignified,” the Governor said. “By lowering the flags, we remember his legacy and pay our respects to this great American. The First Lady and I offer our thoughts and prayers to his family as they are joined by Ike’s many friends in mourning his passing.
Funeral home: Ike Skelton died of pneumonia, arrangements announced
Pneumonia has been listed as the cause of death for a 17 term west-central Missouri Congressman. That was included in a preliminary obituary written Tuesday by Nadler-Funeral Funeral Home in Lexington.
Ike Skelton died Monday in a Virginia hospital surrounded by his wife, sons and their family. He was 81. His longtime staffer, Russell Orban, had said Skelton had entered the hospital a week prior with a bad cough, but the cause of death was not initially released.
See the funeral home’s obituary for Ike Skelton
His funeral will be Monday at 2:00 at Wikoff Hall at Wentworth Military Academy in Lexington with burial in the local Machpelah Cemetery, with military rites. Visitation is Sunday from 2:00 until 8:00 at Wentworth Military Academy’s Grondyke Hall.
Longtime Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton dies (link to AUDIO)
A longtime Congressman who represented west-central Missouri for 34 years has died. Ike Skelton served 17 terms as the representative for Missouri’s 4th Congressional District. He died Monday at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Virginia, at the age of 81.
Former Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton
The cause of his death has not been released, but longtime congressional staffer Russell Orban said he entered the hospital a week before his death.
Skelton was a conservative Democrat who specialized in military issues, serving as chairman of the House Armed Service Committee from 2007 to 2011. He was recently elected chairman of the National World War I Centennial Commission. His memoir, Achieve the Honorable: A Missouri Congressman’s Journey from Warm Springs to Washington, was just published two weeks ago.
Listen to Skelton’s 2010 farewell to Congress and read Brent Martin’s story on it
In 2010 Skelton took the floor to say farewell. He told his fellow lawmakers he had “lived a charmed life,” but as a youngster, learned how one’s life can change in an instant when he contracted polio. He said he learned important lessons about life while being treated at the Warm Springs Foundation in Georgia, “Never let illness define you, never be limited by the expectations of others, never give up and never stop working.”
Polio prevented Skelton from joining the military as he had wanted. During his career he was known as an advocate for the military and a defender of Missouri’s bases. In his farewell address he spoke with reverence about the armed forces and the need for civilians to support them.
“The men and women in uniform who form the backbone of our security can not devote all to protect us if we fail to provide what they need to perform their missions, stay safe in the field and take good care of themselves and the families at home. Keeping America safe demands a national committment to military readiness.”
He added, “I’ve always considered each young man and woman in uniform as a son or daughter. They are national treasures and their sacrifices can not be taken for granted. They’re not chess pieces to be moved about on a board. Each one is irreplaceable.”
Of his long time spent in Washington D.C., Skelton said, “You can’t do the job as a member of Congress for so many years unless you love it, and I do. It’s a labor of love, and to paraphrase my fellow Missourian, Harry Truman, I’ve done my damnedest every single day. I will forever be grateful for the trust Missourians have placed in me through the years and for the opportunity to serve Missouri’s 4th Congressional District, U.S. House of Representatives and the United States of America.”
In a statement, Governor Jay Nixon (D) called Skelton a “role model,” who “inspired us all with his quiet dignity and tireless commitment to America’s men and women in uniform.” Nixon added, “Congressman Skelton embodied the true meaning of public service and will forever be remembered as a leader who left a legacy of greater prosperity and security for his district, our state and our nation.”
Missouri Democratic Party Chairman Roy Temple called Skelton a, “Missourian, a statesman and a champion of a strong and sensible national defense, and above all he was a gentleman.” Temple calls Skelton’s passing, “A loss for Missouri and the nation.”
Missouri’s two Senators also remember Skelton in statements. Senator Roy Blunt (R) says, “It was a great privilege to serve Missouri in the Congress with Ike Skelton and to benefit from his friendship and advice. No member of Congress was more dedicated to America’s defense and those who defend us than Ike Skelton. He loved our country and its history and will be remembered for his contributions to both.”
Senator Claire McCaskill (D) says, “Missouri lost a giant. Ike Skelton represented the very best of Missouri and fought tirelessly for the state he loved. Those of us lucky enough to call him a friend know that he lived the Missouri values of compromise and common sense, and in his half-century of service he showed how Missouri could be a leader in contributing to the safety and security of our nation. I join all Missourians in sending my thoughts and prayers to Patty and the rest of Ike’s family. I’ll miss him dearly.”
Skelton was defeated in 2010 by Republican Vicky Hartzler. She issued a statement as well, calling Skelton a, “respected friend,” and saying, “I have appreciated our conversations over the past two-and-a-half years and the commitment we shared to see Missouri’s 4th District prosper. I am thankful for Ike’s tireless efforts on behalf of our men and women in uniform and know our country is safer as a result of his unwavering leadership. My thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.”
Skelton was born in Lexington on December 20, 1931. He was first elected Lafayette County prosecutor and later to the Missouri Senate before being elected to Congress in 1976. After losing his seat in Congress he had joined a Kansas City law firm and maintained homes in Lexington and in Virginia.
He died surrounded by his wife, Patricia, his sons and their families as well as Orban.
Once ignored Fourth Congressional District attractive to Republicans
One of the most interesting of Missouri’s 2010 congressional races is the Republican contest in the 4th District, which stretches from mid-Missouri, south of the Missouri River, west to the Kansas border. While four Republicans – State Senator Bill Stouffer, former State Representative Vicky Hartzler, Brian Riley, and James Scholz – have announced their intentions to go after the GOP nomination to take on longtime Democratic Congressman Ike Skelton , only Stouffer and Hartzler had raised any money, according to the most recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. [Read more…]
Skelton urges Obama to commit resources to Afghanistan
West-Central Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton has written President Obama, urging him to listen to his military commander in Afghanistan and give him the resources he needs to win.
In a six-page letter , Congressman Skelton, chairman of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, outlines the case for the importance of the war in Afghanistan and urges President Obama to support General Stanley McChrystal, by giving him the troops and equipment he needs. Skelton states in the letter that McChrystal has the right plan and is the right man for the job.
Is Skelton worried that the president’s resolve in Afghanistan has wavered?
"I hope not," Skelton tells the Missourinet, "I certainly hope not. I do know exactly what he said back in his March speech and I’m taking him at his word for that."
Skelton states in the letter that al Qaeda presents "a serious threat to American national security." He says al Qaeda, sheltered in Afghanistan by the Taliban, must be defeated. He writes that he doesn’t believe America can successfully root out al Qaeda from Pakistan and destroy the organization if it doesn’t succeed in Afghanistan.
Skelton says America must regain its footing in the treacherous terrain of Afghanistan.
"We had the initiative early on, but going into Iraq caused us to short change the efforts in Afghanistan," Skelton says. "Consequently, that initiative has been slowed down."
Skelton counsels for a very tough stance against the Taliban. He points out the Taliban has become experts on exploiting "every ideological and military success and it should not be our policy to allow them even the smallest victory."
A three-prong approach is outlined in the letter. Skelton advocates a counter-terror campaign using pilotless drones and special operations forces to attack al Qaeda leadership. Secondly, he says the United States must speed up the training of Afghan National Security Forces, though he says such a strategy on its own is insufficient. The final approach would be the United States-led counter-insurgency plan devised by General McChrystal. Skelton tells President Obama that plan must be given sufficient resources so that the U.S. and allied military, along with civilian experts, can carry out the strategy Obama announced in March.
"Undertaking a counter-insurgency campaign is complex, and it will require additional resources, both civilian and military, and hopefully not all from the United States," Skelton writes.
Toward the end of the letter, Skelton states, "We know the ends, General McChrystal has a plan, and we should supply him the resources he needs to see if it will work."
Congressman says remembering is not enough on 9/11
America pauses to remember tragedy; and a Missouri Congressman says that tragedy will be compounded if we don’t pursue justice to its end.
West-Central Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton says America cannot afford to forget this day or those who lost their lives on this day.
“Today, we will once again mourn the families and those who have fallen and we express our deepest sympathy to their friends and their loved one,” says Skelton. “This is only right, but it’s not enough.”
It was eight years ago when terrorists flew jetliners into the Twin Towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Passengers in another plane sacrificed their lives to bring it down in a farm field in Pennsylvania before it could complete its deadly mission. Nearly 3,000 died that day.
Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, says remembering and sympathy are not enough. He says the United States must press its fight in Afghanistan against al Qaeda and the Taliban.
“What we cannot do is walk away from the fight. We cannot allow the memory of this horrific event to be forgotten,” Skelton says. “We cannot forget how important it is to bring those who caused it to justice.”
Skelton says this is not a simple war nor an easy one, but he says the country has, for the first time, settled on a real strategy that is providing results.
Download/listen Brent Martin reports (1:15 MP3)
Download/listen Congressman Ike Skelton remembers 9/11 during House floor speech (3 min MP3)
Republicans see opportunities for congressional gains in 2010
Midterm elections are usually difficult ones for the party that controls the White House – and Inside the Beltway pundits are predicting the 2010 elections could be tough for the Democrats. A couple of Missouri’s Members of Congress – Democrat Ike Skelton and Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer – have some thoughts on next year’s voting.
Northeast Missouri Congressman Luetkemeyer sees the possibility of this scenario playing out.
"The midterm elections are always a referendum on the party in power," said Luetkemeyer in an interview with the Missourinet. "Obviously, the Democrats are in power, right now, and I think that they’re going to have to earn the respect and earn the vote of the people. Right now they haven’t. The people are upset with them, they’re upset with the direction of the country."
West-central Missouri Congressman Skelton believes the economy will play a role in Democrats’ chances next year.
"I’m concerned about the economy, about people getting work, getting jobs, and it looks like that is beginning – hopefully – to turn," Skelton told the Missourinet.
Skelton realizes there could be a lot of ups and downs before voters cast ballots next year.
"We’ll have to wait and see what the economy is like sometime next year," Skelton told the Missourinet. "The indicators are that it’s beginning to turn around. And frankly, if confidence returns, it’ll be a whole new ballgame."
Luetkemeyer says there had better be a turnaround or voters will hold Democrats accountable.
"The Democrats have the votes, they have both seats of government plus the President’s chair, and the result is they’re in charge, they’re responsible, they have to take full responsibility for what’s going on," said Luetkemeyer. "If the people like it they’ll get reelected. If they don’t it’s a great opportunity for us (Republicans) to show that we’ve got better ideas and can do a better job of leading."
While stopping far short of predicting a change in power, several political analysts expect losses for the Democrats in both the House and Senate in 2010.
Democrat and Republican Congressmen unsure about congressional passage of health care reform
Missouri Democrats and Republicans don’t always see eye to eye on things, but two members of our congressional delegation – one from each party – have their doubts about health care legislation being passed by Congress this year.
West-central Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO4) says several barriers might stand in the way of health care reform legislation passing.
“A lot depends upon what changes they can make,” said Skelton in an interview with the Missourinet. “Right now the House has three different bills, the Senate has two different bills, and I’m not sure how they meld together and there’s frankly some parts in the bills that I have some serious question about.”
Northeast Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO9) doesn’t expect anything passed before next year.
“I really don’t think we’ll get anything this fall,” Luetkemeyer told the Missourinet. “I think the other side (Democrats) is so fractured, right now, that it’s going to take all fall for them to get their house in order.”
Congress says it would be a mistake to pass a bill just for the sale of passing a bill.
“I just hope we can get one done that’s right,” said Skelton. “You don’t want to just pass a bill to be passing a bill. You want to be right and you want Americans to say, ‘That’s good, I’m glad they did it that way.'”
Luetkemeyer says it will really be up to Democrats to stop their internal feuding.
“They’re very fractured, right now,” said Luetkemeyer. “The liberals in their party want a public option – a government option. The conservatives in their party don’t want that.”
Members of Congress, throughout the country, have been running into sometimes angry crowds as town hall forums on health care reform are held during Congress’ August recess.
Skelton doesn’t want Gitmo detainees at Ft. Leavenworth
West-Central Missouri Congressman Ike Skelton has written Defense Secretary Robert Gates, arguing that Ft. Leavenworth is not an appropriate location for terrorist suspects now imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee , wrote Secretary Gates, laying out his case against re-locating Gitmo detainees at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas . Skelton’s main argument is that Ft. Leavenworth doesn’t just house the US Disciplinary Barracks, but the Army’s Command and General Staff College as well, which attracts foreign students from throughout the world.
Skelton worries that Muslim countries would quit sending students to the college, if the United States detains terrorist suspects at Ft. Leavenworth.
"Ft. Leavenworth does a superb job and like all of our war colleges they have foreign students and I want the cultural exchange to continue as it does now," Skelton said in an interview with the Missourinet.
In the letter to Gates, Skelton wrote, "I agree with the President that the detention facility in Guantanamo, in the minds of many around the world, have tarnished the otherwise sterling reputation of our Armed Forces and our country. Guantanamo has also become a recruiting tool for those who would seek to harm us."
Skelton then outlined two objections, the first focusing on the war college at Ft. Leavenworth. The second centered on a more legal issue.
"In addition, as you may be aware the United States Code precludes the proximate detention of American and foreign individuals," Skelton wrote in the letter. "Although relevant case law interpreting the U.S. Code does not prohibit certain co-location under particular circumstances, plans to transfer Guantanamo detainees to Fort Leavenworth would require additional expenses for military construction and enhanced security so as not to run afoul of the law. I urge you to look carefully at those costs and security requirements in making your recommendations to the President."
Ft. Leavenworth is located in Kansas, just across the state line, north of Kansas City. Skelton insists that location has nothing to do with his objections.
"If the Command and General Staff College were somewhere else, I would say the same thing," Skelton replied. "But the fact that it’s in my backyard, of course, does bring it closer to home."