IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION honoring the life and achievements of Gene Morgan.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 20544, October 26, 2020
INTRODUCED BY Crystal Williams, Theresa Cass Galvin, Dan Tarwater III, Jalen Anderson, Tony Miller, Scott Burnett, Ronald E. Finley, Charlie Franklin, and Jeanie Lauer, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, Charles “Gene” Morgan passed away on Friday, October 9, 2020; and,
WHEREAS, Gene was a well-known progressive, tireless volunteer, mentor, and strong voice in Kansas City, having served as a long-time member and parliamentarian of the Jackson County Democratic Committee representing the 4th Ward; and,
WHEREAS, Gene was an advocate for drug treatment programs in our community, serving since 2011 on the COMBAT Commission, and serving as Board Chair for the Friends of the Municipal Drug Court, Board Director of the Community Network for Behavioral Healthcare, Board Director of the Missouri Coalition of Community Mental Health Centers, and Board Director of the Missouri Association of Social Welfare, among other community programs; and,
WHEREAS, for many years Gene was President of the Kansas City Community Center (renamed the Heartland Center for Behavioral Change), a non-profit that provides substance abuse treatment to offenders and uninsured Missouri residents; and,
WHEREAS, Gene held a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences from Rockhurst College, a Master of Science in Corrections from the University of Central Missouri, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Missouri - Kansas City; and,
WHEREAS, after retiring from KCCC, Gene became an adjunct professor at the Metropolitan Community College, teaching courses in criminal justice; and,
WHEREAS, Gene and his wife, State Representative Judy Morgan, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary; and,
WHEREAS, Gene was frequently seen at democratic events, supporting candidates, knocking on doors, and promoting progressive policies with wisdom and good humor; and,
WHEREAS, Gene will be deeply missed by his family and friends who will always remember his kindness, humanity, quiet strength, courage, and belief in the power of rehabilitation, change, and social justice; and,
WHEREAS, Gene is survived by the love of his life Judy, their daughter Courtney Baker and her husband Robert, and their children Alex and Olivia; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature hereby recognizes the life and extraordinary achievements of Gene Morgan and extends its deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
____________________________ _________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 20544 of October 26, 2020, was duly passed on October 26, 2020 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas ______7_________ Nays ______0_________
Abstaining ____-_0______ Absent _____2_________
________________________ ____________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature