Senator Harry Wiggins

Senator Harry Wiggins, 71, passed away July 31, 2004 at the Little Sisters of the Poor, Jeanne Jugan Center in Kansas City, Missouri. He was born in Kansas City on August 1, 1932 to Dr. John Wiggins and Helen Murphy Wiggins. Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 4, 2004, from 5-8 p.m. at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church, 7502 Main Street. There will be a Rosary at 5 p.m. Close friends Fred Dreiling, David Glass and Kevin Mullally will offer special remembrances at 7 p.m. The Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Thursday, August 5, 2004, at 10 a.m., also at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Little Sisters of the Poor, Jeanne Jugan Center, 8745 James A. Reed Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64138 and to the Helen Wiggins Scholarship Fund at Rockhurst College, 1100 Rockhurst Road, Kansas City, Missouri 64110. Harry Wiggins was born in Kansas City, Missouri and lived there all his life. He attended grade and high schools before entering his beloved Rockhurst College. While at Rockhurst he began his life's mission of public service as President of the student body. He also joined Alpha Delta Gamma Fraternity, was elected Chapter President and later served three times as National President. As a senior in college he was selected for membership in Alpha Sigma Nu, the National Jesuit Honor Society and to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. After graduation from Rockhurst, Harry won a three-year scholarship to attend Law School at St. Louis University. From 1957 to 1959 Harry served in the United States Army as Legal Advisor to the 2nd U.S. Army Missile Command at Fort Hood, Texas, receiving a Certificate of Achievement for Distinguished Service upon his discharge. Harry returned home to Kansas City to begin the practice of law but quickly involved himself in public service. He served as Kansas City's chairman for John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign where he met and became close friends with Robert F. Kennedy. Robert Kennedy appointed Harry Assistant U.S. Attorney in 1961 and he served in that office for 51/2 years, prosecuting in some of Kansas City's most renowned criminal trials. Harry served as Supervisor of Liquor Control under Governor Warren Hearnes from 1967 to 1970. He returned home to run successfully for Western Judge of Jackson County, an office formerly held by President Harry S. Truman. He served for two years before working to eliminate his own job through the enactment of the Home Rule Charter creating the County Executive and County Legislature. In 1973, newly elected Governor Christopher S. Bond asked Harry to join his administration as General Counsel for the Public Service Commission. He returned to Kansas City in 1974 to seek the 10th District seat in the Missouri Senate. He defeated a three-term incumbent by 6,000 votes and would be elected by overwhelming majorities six more times and retired in 2002 having served 28 years in the Missouri Senate. He served as Kansas City's first ever Majority Floor Leader from 1980 to 1984. During his 28-year Senate career, Harry never missed a roll call vote, logging a total of over 18,000 consecutive roll calls in what is believed to be a national record. His legislative record is a legacy of achievement for the rights of the less fortunate, improvements in law enforcement and a variety of initiatives on behalf of Kansas City. His legislative accomplishments include: the creation of 911 emergency calling; the Model White Cane Act; the Bill of Rights for the Blind and Handicapped; the establishment of the Parents as First Teachers Program, which would become a national model; the Crime Victims Compensation Act; creation of the State Department of Health; laws to protect the mistreatment of animals; laws allowing for the prosecution of child pornographers; the Bi-State Cultural District Act; laws requiring DNA profiling of convicted felons; anti-meth legislation that would become a national model; 28 years of legislation for the Kansas City Police Department and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority; legislation to fund and protect the Truman Sports Complex; and many, many others. Harry is survived by the Jeff Simon, Fred Dreiling and Kevin Mullally families, as well as thousands of close friends and the Kansas City community at large. (Arrangements: Muehlebach Funeral Home (816) 444-2060)