Former Congressman Skelton honored by portrait unveiling in Washington, D.C.

Former 4th District Congressman Ike Skelton was joined by family, colleagues, former staff members and fellow Missourians on Monday for the unveiling of his official portrait.

The Lexington Democrat served 34 years, including four years as chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee (ASC) before losing his re-election bid to current 4th District Rep. Vicky Hartzler, a Harrisonville Republican, in 2010.

In keeping with Armed Services Committee tradition, the portrait, unveiled by Skelton?s wife, Patty, will hang along with other former chairmen in the ASC?s committee room in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Skelton was also joined by current ASC Chairman Buck McKeon, a California Republican; House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, of California; and fellow Missouri representatives Jo Ann Emerson, a Republican, and Emanuel Cleaver II, a Democrat, along with a host of other elected and military officials.

Skelton told the Democrat by telephone on Thursday he was honored to see his portrait unveiled.

?It was quite a moving experience,? Skelton said. ?There were a good number of people from Missouri that came up from all over the 4th Congressional District.?

Along with his wife, Skelton was joined by two of his three sons ? Jim, a colonel in the Army, and Page, who runs a private firm in North Carolina ? and a number of his grandchildren.
Cleaver, an ordained minister who gave the benediction at the ceremony, told the Democrat via email ?Portrait unveilings do not happen often on Capitol Hill.?

?There was a packed room with admirers, from both sides of the aisle, who came to show their respect for a man who devoted so much of his life to public service. Ike told the crowd he wants to be remembered ?for doing his best.? That is something I think we can all aspire to,? Cleaver said.

Emerson told the Democrat Skelton remains a ?dear friend? and congratulated him on Monday?s honor.

?The portrait unveiling for Chairman Skelton was a great event to recognize the contributions he has made to the House Armed Services Committee and to the Congress for many years. So many of his friends and people who respect and admire his service were able to attend.

?It?s a fitting honor for someone who worked on a bipartisan basis to represent Missouri and our men and women in uniform for many, many years. Ike has given a great deal to our country, and he is a dear friend,? Emerson said.

After leaving office, Skelton became a partner at Husch Blackwell law firm, where he consults on government contracts. He also has a regular weekly teaching position with the National Defense University at Fort McNair Army base in Washington, D.C.

The portrait, painted by Washington, D.C., artist Gavin Glakas, features Skelton posed in front of the World War I ?Doughboy? statue on the campus of Wentworth Military Academy in Skelton?s hometown of Lexington.

?In many of the other portraits, the background is flags or a bookcase. I thought something from the home state of Missouri would be proper,? Skelton said. ?I grew up amidst a good number of World War I vets, including my father, and I thought it would be appropriate to have that included.?

Source: http://www.sedaliademocrat.com/news/former-41759-portrait-skelton.html

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