Former governor tells Historical Society how state is beholden to his predecessor

Blair legacy

Former Gov. Bob Holden gives a presentation on the accomplishments of one of his predecessors, Gov. James T. Blair Jr., during the annual meeting of the Cole County Historican Society Sunday afternoon.
Former Gov. Bob Holden gives a presentation on the accomplishments of one of his predecessors, Gov. James T. Blair Jr., during the annual meeting of the Cole County Historican Society Sunday afternoon.

Former Gov. Bob Holden touted the accomplishments of the late James T. Blair Jr., a fellow Democrat and former Missouri governor, at Sunday's 74th annual meeting of the Cole County Historical Society.

Blair, who served as governor from 1957-61, led the way in human rights, welfare reform, health insurance for the disabled, and restoration of the Missouri Governor's Mansion, Holden said in a seven-minute speech.

"You couldn't have a more committed family to this state and this community than the Blair family," he said.

Blair started the modern era of Missouri government and politics, he said. He was governor, lieutenant governor, mayor of Jefferson City, state representative, majority leader and a military veteran. It was a time when a governor could only serve one term and when "politics truly was a public service," Holden said.

But most importantly was what Blair did in office, Holden said. "He was a very strong advocate for human rights, which led to the creation of the Human Rights Commission in 1957," he said. "And quite candidly, we need a whole lot more effort in that arena today than what we have."

Above all, Blair was best known for being Missouri's top lobbyist on the national level. "He truly was a governor and a family that cared about all the people in this state and what our future holds if given the right leadership. So we can't say enough for what they've done."

Holden said if not for Blair's initiative on Missouri Governor's Mansion restoration, he and other governors and their families would not have been able to live there during their terms in office.

Two members of Blair's family attended the event: Myrna Blair, a daughter-in-law; and Laura Bolt, a granddaughter. Bolt's parents are Mary Margaret Blair and Howard Winston Cook, brother of Central Bank's Sam B. Cook.

A display from Blair's administration resides in the Historical Society's Delong Room.

"James T. Blair Jr. shaped the future of our state for the better," Holden said.

"Now we have the responsibility to pay back and continue to add to that legacy for the next generation."

Blair retired from politics after leaving office in January 1961, but his retirement was short-lived. A Wikipedia entry on him said that on July 12, 1962, he and his wife, Emile, were found dead in their Jefferson City home from carbon monoxide poisoning after a vehicle was accidentally left running in their garage. Blair and his wife were buried in Riverview Cemetery.

Holden also discussed his administration (2001-05), saying that when he received the call about the terrorists attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Missouri "very candidly was very ill-prepared if that would have come our way at that point in time."

But he said the response of the National Guard and other agencies in the state was fast and focused, and that Missouri was the first state in the nation after that to create a Homeland Security Department.

In the wake of the attacks, state and local governments in Missouri, along with the private sector, came together to better communicate with each other and take other steps to help prevent such an event in the future.

"I'm very proud of the work that's been done," he said.

Also at the meeting, James Weber was elected to succeed Kathy Wilbers, who is finishing her third term as president.