Section of Highway 25 named after former state rep

KENNETT, Mo. -- On Thursday afternoon, friends, family and colleagues of former state representative Otto Bean Jr. gathered to dedicate a section of Highway 25 in Dunklin and Stoddard counties in his honor.

Bean was a two-term representative for the 163rd District of the Missouri House and made history in 2002 when he was the first Republican to represent the district.

The purpose of the gathering Thursday was the dedication ceremony renaming Highway 25 in Dunklin and Stoddard counties from U.S. 412 to routes U and Z the Representative Otto Bean Jr. Memorial Highway.

The legislation naming the section of highway the Representative Otto Bean Jr. Memorial Highway was sponsored by stae Rep. Kent Hampton, R-Malden.

"As I started out visiting houses and areas in the district itself, I'd always heard that 'abracadabra' was a magic word that opened doors," Hampton said. "I soon realized that 'Otto Bean in 163' replaced those words. Not only was the reception greater, there was always a story that went with it. From a visit that he had encountered with the individual to a time that he helped the individual with an issue. He was a people person. He loved people and people loved him. He worked hard, he loved his job and he did a good job."

Hampton was one of many members of the state legislature present, including Reps. Terry Swinger, D-Caruthersville, and Billy Pat Wright, R-Dexter, and state Sen. Rob Mayer, R-Dexter. A representative of U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's office also spoke.

After presentation of the bill to the family, Bean's wife, Janet, said a few words, thanking friends and colleagues for the honor bestowed upon her late husband. She related how her husband was once a member of the basketball team in high school and remembered a remark that he once made:

"You know, I was a member of a team. I did not do that by myself. I could not have made those goals, those baskets if my team had not maneuvered the ball to me. I don't ever forget they are a team."

Bean's wife added, "That is the way he would feel about what you are doing here. I look out there and everyone of you were his team. He loved you as family."

Following the presentation and unveiling of the sign refreshments were served.