Bill Emerson Reunion

The Bill Emerson Reunion was held this past weekend to honor the 25th anniversary of his death from lung cancer June 25. Around 45 family members and former employees of Bill's from both the federal and campaign staffs from 1980 to 1996 attended the weekend of festivities, including gatherings at Top of the Marq in Cape Girardeau, River House Winery in Scott City, Celebrations Restaurant in downtown Cape Girardeau and group photos on Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus in front of the Bill Emerson bridge. Throughout the weekend, the group shared stories about Bill, memories and photos, with the theme for the reunion being, "In the Arena," based on Emerson's love of the famous Theodore Roosevelt quote from his 1910 speech in Paris. Pictured are scenes from gatherings at River House Winery and Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus on Saturday, June 26, 2021.