SENATOR'S DEDICATION IS PRAISED

Friends and colleagues of John Dennis praised the senator as a person who cares about people, is a great compromiser, a low-key leader devoted to the people he represents, and the kind of person you turn to for solid advice.

Sen. Roger Wilson, D-Columbia, said: "He's a gentleman and a true statesman, and has been a stabilizing force in the General Assembly and especially the Senate all through his career. I think a lot of people take their lead from John. It is not a power he seeks but a power that comes to him naturally."

"He's a solid rock that we all kind of depend on," said Sen. Henry Panethiere, D-Kansas City, who came to the Senate with Dennis in 1977. "He's very solid in his thinking and will be hard to replace."

Sen. Mike Lybyer of Texas County said that in the Senate Dennis "has been a great compromiser to put different factions together and get them where they work well together.

"He's probably the Democrats' Dick Webster," Lybyer said in reference to the late Republican Sen. Richard Webster, who served nearly 28 years in the Senate and was held in high esteem by both parties.

Dennis, who turns 74 on Wednesday, announced last week that he would not seek a fifth term in the Senate next year. Before his election to the Senate in 1976, the Benton Democrat served 24 years as sheriff of Scott County.

One person who claims to have voted for Dennis every time he has been on the ballot since 1952 is State. Rep. Ollie Amick of Scott City. "I just have not seen a flaw in his career," said Amick. "I just marvel at how he could make so many decisions and apparently be on the right side."

Amick shares an apartment in Jefferson City with Dennis and often shares a ride with him to the capital.

Said Amick: "I'm always amazed at the energy he has and how keen his mind has been politically, his knowledge of the area and the people. His influence will certainly be missed in Southeast Missouri."

Amick said one of Dennis' greatest assets is his ability to use good logic to size up a situation and apply common sense. "I've never heard one criticism of him from either party," said Amick.

"I am saddened about his decision to retire, but I realize there comes a time when everybody has to accept reality and make such a decision."

Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce President Bob Hendrix praised Dennis for his devotion to the needs of the people in his district.

"You hate to see a great, effective legislator like John leave," said Hendrix. "It will be a big loss to Southeast Missouri. John was one of the most dedicated public servants I've seen. He did a lot for Cape Girardeau and all of Southeast Missouri."

Cape Girardeau County Clerk Rodney Miller, as an officer in the Missouri Association of Counties the last six years, has worked closely with Dennis on legislation to help county governments.

Miller said he was surprised by Dennis' planned retirement. Miller said: "I felt sure he was going to run another four years and had no question that he would be re-elected. I think he has been one of the most fair and responsive senators we could have had from this area. He has worked with all phases of the population and didn't forget the people who put him up there.

"I consider him a friend and will miss him in the Senate."

Cape County Auditor H. Weldon Macke, who was active in the Missouri Association of Counties when Dennis first became a senator, said he was always amazed the way other senators would go to Dennis' office for advice on bills.

"I always felt proud that my senator could command that kind of respect and authority," said Macke. "He never lied to them or made up something; he told them how he felt and why. They appreciated that. He was able to put everything in simple terms and was a real asset to us. He's a great guy."

Another attribute of Dennis, said Macke, is that he never distinguished between parties. "If there was something that people needed help with, if he felt like it was a worthy cause, he would help," said Macke.

"He did a fantastic job representing Southeast Missouri. I don't know who will replace him, but whoever it is it won't be a John Dennis."

State Rep. Joe Driskill of Doniphan said he has always had a special relationship with Dennis because "I was with him on his first day on the job."

Driskill was at the time attending the University of Missouri at Columbia, and spent the 1977 legislative session as an intern to Dennis.

"I think very highly of his abilities to get things done for people in his district," said Driskill. "I can say without hesitation that he is probably the most liked and respected member of the Senate. Partisanship makes no difference; he is courted with a great deal of respect."

Driskill said: "John Dennis has been one of the finest men and officeholders I have ever known. He has done a great deal of good things for his district, and whoever replaces him will have some every large shoes to fill."

Lybyer said he always admired the bi-partisan support Dennis seemed to have, something he said is the result of 40 years of dedicated public service.

"I've always been impressed. When visiting with Democrats or Republicans in Southeast Missouri, everyone always speaks highly of John Dennis," said Lybyer. "He works hard to take care of everybody; that's what makes him great."

Wilson attributed Dennis' success in helping his district to "years of experience and the way he works with people. In what is a very contentious arena, he never goes out of his way to get even or pick a fight. He always keeps things between the white lines and moving forward ... he's a good example for all of us."

One of Dennis' biggest achievements in the Senate was securing funding for the Show Me Center in Cape Girardeau. Sen. Edwin Dirck, D-St. Ann, was appropriations chairman when funding for the building was secured.

Dirck said he was impressed with the way Dennis got the local people involved in the project and committed to providing the local match necessary to secure state funding. He recalled that the first meeting on funding for the building he had was in Dennis' office with people from Cape Girardeau and the area.

"John and Marvin Proffer worked very hard on that; it's one of the finest buildings we have at any university," said Dirck.

Proffer is a former state representative.

Dirck, who was first elected to the legislature in 1972, said he likes to work with someone like Dennis. "He is so sincere on everything; he is a fine, excellent gentleman to work with," said Dirck. "He has always been very honest, sincere, and up front. He's also very reasonable."

Lybyer recalled that after being elected to the Senate in 1982, "he sort of took me under his wing. I think I became a better senator because of his guidance. He treated everybody nice. That's his nature. He's a real gentleman ... up here, they call him `The Great One.'"

Lybyer said: "I've always said I've got a great father at home and he's been my daddy up here. He'll steer you right. He won't tell you what to do, but if you ask, he'll tell you. He'll give you good advice."

Said Wilson: "We've had a great friendship. He's been very special to me. I wish he weren't going to retire because the state of Missouri is going to lose a lot when John Dennis leaves the Senate."

Panethiere said Dennis is not the kind of senator to debate issues on the floor, but he sits back and reason things out. Senators often seek him out for advice, he too said.

Panethiere said he started sharing an apartment with Dennis two years ago and "my high regard just went higher. The more you know John Dennis, the more you respect and admire him. He's not one to be blowing his horn all the time.

"But when push comes to shove, somebody has to be there with a calm word and good advice, and John is always there."