JEFFERSON CITY — State Sen. David Pearce, R-Warrensburg, has been chosen as a recipient of the 2016 Missouri Library Association (MLA) Francis “Bud” Barnes Outstanding Legislator Award.
“I am honored to receive this award from the MLA,” Sen. Pearce said. “It has been an honor to represent and patronize our libraries while serving in the Missouri Legislature.”
The award is presented each year by the MLA, and is given to a state lawmaker in recognition of his or her exceptional contributions to the welfare of Missouri’s libraries. The award is named in honor of former State Rep. Francis “Bud” Barnes in recognition of his long devotion to Missouri libraries and contributions to library-related legislation.
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Pearce will be honored for his tireless efforts for libraries, as he worked to help increase the budget for libraries throughout Missouri. In addition, it was Sen. Pearce who helped to ensure Saline County was able to ask voters there to put into place a mechanism that added funding for libraries.
The award presentation is part of the MLA’s annual conference, held in Springfield.