Perspective: Saddened by Vogel’s death

Late Thursday night I was saddened to learn of the death of Carl Vogel.

Carl Vogel and his family are part of the fabric of Jefferson City and Central Missouri, and Carl’s kindness and generosity were matched only by his success in business. I had the good fortune of knowing Carl for more than 20 years, and in those 20 years he always conducted himself with grace and honor.

Carl served on numerous boards and foundations, as well as many years in the Legislature, not because he felt obligated to do so, but because he wanted to. He served because he genuinely cared for, and longed to help, others. Carl was quick-witted and kind, and he always had a smile and a kind word to share.

On Carl’s birthday several weeks ago he, along with his wife Kim and children Jake and Kristen, came to the Capitol for lunch and fellowship. We swapped stories and reminisced about times gone by, but Carl was focused on the future, saying “Life is good, and I look forward to tomorrow being better.”

I am grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Senate seat that Carl held for eight years, even now occupying the same office as he did. Much more significant than that though, I am blessed to have known Carl Vogel as a friend. I am thankful for the legacy that Carl leaves behind and for the impact that he has had on my life. I will miss Carl greatly as will all those who knew him well. In the coming days and weeks, please keep Kim, Jake, and Kristen, as well as their entire family, in your prayers.

When the Legislature reconvenes on Monday, it will do so with only four weeks remaining. While I am pleased with how session has progressed up to this point, there remains significant work yet to be done. Chief among these is sending a final budget to the governor, and I anticipate this happening at the end of next week as conference committees complete their work of reconciling the differences between the House and Senate versions.

Additionally, substantive ethics legislation continues to work its way toward completion. This past week, two separate conference committees met to reconcile differences on ethics bills. The first, HB1979, which prevents legislators from legislating one day and quitting to become a lobbyist the next, has completely passed out of the house and will be voted on by the Senate next week. The second, HB2203 sponsored by Representative Jay Barnes, has completed the conference committee work and will likely be voted on in the House next week. These bills, in addition to one the governor has already signed, are not simply window-dressing, but represent substantive and needed change to better ensure ethical behavior by elected officials and to restore, at least in part, faith in government.

This week I was pleased to vote for Sen. Jeanie Riddle’s SB638. SB638 requires any students entering the ninth grade to pass an examination on the provisions and principles of American civics. Requiring civics in our schools will better prepare students to be informed and productive citizens. If these same informed and productive citizens become more involved the legislative process and government, so much the better.

In line with the goals of SB638, hundreds of students from across the state were in the Capitol on Thursday as part of the 21st Annual Missouri Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Day. During this annual event, high school students learn the importance of being involved in their state and local government by visiting with their legislators on agricultural and rural issues impacting their communities. It is reassuring to see these young men and women and to know that there are young agriculture leaders all across the state.

The “best Monday of the year” is once again upon us with the opening of spring turkey season on April 18. One of the biggest turkeys I know will adorn himself with camo and gadgets and calls, but unlike most everyone else, the turkeys need not have any fear of him. I cannot wait to hear the stories and excuses beginning Monday afternoon. Similarly, I cannot wait to share with you the trials and travails he experiences over the next three weeks. To everyone hitting the woods, I wish you safe hunting and at least a few moments of being awestruck by God’s great creation.

State Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, represents the 6th District.