Ike Skelton
Ike Skelton
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Ike Skelton was born Eugene Edward Skelton Jr. on November 16, 1932.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: November 16, 1932
Died: October 28, 2013
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American politician and lawyer
Early Life and Background
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Ike Skelton was born in Arkansas City, Missouri, to a farming family. His father, Eugene E. Skelton Sr., was a farmer and World War I veteran. Skelton's early life was marked by the Great Depression and World War II. He attended Benton High School before enrolling at the University of Missouri, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in 1954.
Skelton then moved on to the University of Missouri Law School, graduating with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1956. During this time, he also served in the United States Army Reserve, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel by the time of his retirement.
Major Accomplishments
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Skelton's entry into politics came when he was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1968. He then moved on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 until his retirement in 2011. During this period, Skelton held various positions, including serving as chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services.
Skelton's tenure in Congress was marked by significant legislative accomplishments. Notably, he played a key role in shaping U.S. military policy and defense spending during both Democratic and Republican administrations. His work also included advocating for veterans' rights and improving military readiness.
Notable Works or Actions
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Throughout his career, Skelton received numerous accolades for his service and commitment to public office. These include:
The American Legion's National Commander's Award (1995)
The Missouri Bar Association's Gold Medal for Distinguished Service (2007)
* The Truman State University's James Earl Jones Outstanding Faculty/Alumni Achievement Award (2011)
Impact and Legacy
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Skelton's impact on U.S. military policy and defense spending has been lasting. His tenure as chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services led to significant reforms in military preparedness and personnel management.
His commitment to veterans' rights also earned him recognition from various organizations, including the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the American Legion.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Skelton's reputation as a shrewd politician and dedicated public servant has made his quotes and statements widely referenced. His commitment to upholding democratic principles and protecting national interests is well-documented in historical records.
His legacy serves as an example of the power of perseverance, dedication, and service to country.
Quotes by Ike Skelton
It is vital that Iraq and the United States together send the clearest possible signal that those who commit acts of violence against American military forces and American civilians will not be rewarded with amnesty.
In addition to relieving patient suffering, research is needed to help reduce the enormous economic and social burdens posed by chronic diseases such as osteoporosis, arthritis, diabetes, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, cancer, heart disease, and stroke.
Farmers in Missouri and across the country must comply with a variety of federal, state, and local regulations as they grow the crops and raise the livestock that we depend on to feed the nation and the world.
Modern medical advances have helped millions of people live longer, healthier lives. We owe these improvements to decades of investment in medical research.
All of these are necessary right now. Otherwise, much of the efforts of the military will be shut down,
Guard units in the U.S. are suffering severe equipment shortages which will affect their ability to respond to emergencies in their home States, such as Katrina
In the three years since our nation began operations in Iraq, more than 2,500 Americans have been killed and more than 18,000 Americans have been seriously wounded
In the three years since our nation began operations in Iraq, more than 2,500 Americans have been killed and more than 18,000 Americans have been seriously wounded.
I hope to pass the security of Iraq over to the Iraqi forces and redeploy our forces, having left behind a secure and stable Iraqi parliament. Hopefully we'll be able to drastically reduce our forces there.
It's been a long ride ... to get us to this point in the base-closure process. This journey has been more difficult than it needed to be.