Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers celebration

Fred Lynch

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Team Emerson turned out Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 at Academic Hall for the opening celebration of former U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers donation to the Special Collections and Archives in Kent Library at Southeast Missouri State University.

A portrait of Jo Ann Emerson is displayed Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
People arrive for the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
An autographed photo of Jo Ann Emerson and President Ronald Reagan is displayed Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
Jack Oliver, left, and Rachel Oliver attend the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)

Jim Tallent attends the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
Steve McPheeters, left, talks with Ron Gladney before the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
Southeast Missouri State University President Carlos Vargas-Aburto welcomes people to the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
Alexandra Emerson, 1 1/2-year-old granddaughter of Jo Ann Emerson, plays on the front row Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, as Southeast Missouri State University President Carlos Vargas-Aburto speaks during the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers in Academic Hall. Those attending included, from left, Emerson's daughters, Katharine Emerson and Tori Emerson Barnes, and Emerson's husband, Ron Gladney, with Lloyd Smith, longtime chief of staff to U.S. Representatives Bill and Jo Ann Emerson, in the front row. (Fred Lynch)
U.S. Rep. Jason Smith speaks at the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)

Tom Schulte, right, listens with Jordan Bernstein as U.S. Rep. Jason Smith pays tribute to Jo Ann Emerson on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 during the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
State Sen. Kathy Swan presents a resolution honoring Jo Ann Emerson, with Don Rone, left, Jason Smith and Donna Lichtenegger, on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 during the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
Roxanne Dunn, Special Collections and Archives Librarian at Kent Library, Southeast Missouri State University, speaks Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 during the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
Lloyd Smith, former chief of staff to U.S. Representatives Bill and Jo Ann Emerson, speaks Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 during the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
Members of Team Emerson stand at the request of U.S. Rep. Jason Smith at the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
Katharine Emerson speaks about her mother, Jo Ann Emerson, at the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)
Katharine Emerson gets a hug from Lloyd Smith after she spoke at the opening celebration of Jo Ann Emerson's Congressional Papers on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017 in Academic Hall. (Fred Lynch)