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A RESOLUTION recognizing the achievements of former Speaker of the Kentucky 1
House of Representatives Bobby Richardson, and encouraging the General Assembly in a 2
future session to establish an honorary highway designation in Barren County in his 3
honor. 4
WHEREAS, Bobby Richardson was born on November 25, 1944, in Barren 5
County, Kentucky, near Glasgow, to Robert E. Richardson and Nina Tucker Richardson; 6
and 7
WHEREAS, Bobby Richardson received his undergraduate education at Western 8
Kentucky University and his Juris Doctor at the University of Kentucky; and 9
WHEREAS, Bobby Richardson married Elaine Alexander in 1970, and they had 10
one child together, Clay Brents (Lisa) Richardson; and 11
WHEREAS, Bobby Richardson opened a law practice in Glasgow, where he would 12
sharpen his knowledge of and knack for law, sparking a lifelong fascination with the 13
legal system; and 14
WHEREAS, in 1971, Bobby Richardson was first elected to the Kentucky House of 15
Representatives to represent the 23rd District, which included Barren County; and 16
WHEREAS, while serving as a state representative, Bobby Richardson was known 17
for his soaring rhetoric and passionate delivery, resulting in numerous memorable 18
speeches; and 19
WHEREAS, Bobby Richardson served as House Majority Floor Leader during the 20
1976, 1978, and 1980 Regular Sessions of the Kentucky General Assembly, and as 21
Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives during the 1982 and 1984 Regular 22
Sessions; and 23
WHEREAS, while serving as Majority Floor Leader, and subsequently as Speaker 24
of the House, Bobby Richardson successfully aided in and spearheaded initiatives to 25
improve the General Assembly's legislative independence from gubernatorial control; and 26
WHEREAS, Bobby Richardson retired from the Kentucky House of 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 1671
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Representatives in 1991 after 20 years representing Barren County in the 23rd District; 1
and 2
WHEREAS, following his retirement from the General Assembly, Bobby 3
Richardson has remained a staple of the Glasgow and Eighty-Eight communities and 4
Kentucky's broader political culture, still practicing law in Glasgow and emceeing the 5
one-hundred thirty-seventh annual Fancy Farm picnic in 2017; and 6
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that Bobby Richardson be recognized and 7
honored in a tangible manner for his life of achievement and public service to his 8
community, the 23rd District, the General Assembly, and the Commonwealth; 9
NOW, THEREFORE, 10
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 11
Kentucky: 12
Section 1. The members of the Senate join Senator David P. Givens in 13
recognizing the career of achievement and service of former Speaker Bobby Richardson 14
upon the occasion of his visit to the Capitol. 15
Section 2. The members of the Senate encourage the General Assembly, at an 16
appropriate time in the future, to designate a portion of a state highway in Barren County 17
in honor of Bobby Richardson. 18
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 19
Resolution to Senator David P. Givens for presentation to Bobby Richardson and his 20
family. 21