REGION JOINS LIMBAUGH FOR CENTURY CELEBRATION

Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. celebrates his 100th birthday today. The world we see today is much different than his childhood years in rural Bollinger County. This resilient man has seen and embraced tremendous changes in his chosen legal profession, and in life.

We pay tribute to the contributions Rush Limbaugh has made to our community and to the law. The Missouri Bar Association says he is the oldest practicing attorney in the state. As a Cape Girardeau attorney these past 75 years, he is certainly one of the longest practicing lawyers. At 100 years old, he still works six days a week as senior partner at Limbaugh, Russell and Syler.

Tonight, Limbaugh will be honored by the Missouri Bar Association in Kansas City. This morning, he will be a guest on a national radio talk show hosted by grandson Rush "Rusty" Limbaugh III.

A walking history encyclopedia, Limbaugh has lived through and vividly remembers much of Cape Girardeau's history. For example, he recalls first-hand the visit of President Taft in 1909, the opening of the Mississippi River Bridge in 1928, and a tornado that killed 22 as it swept through Cape Girardeau in 1949.

Limbaugh has served the city and county in many ways through the years. He worked as city attorney in 1917, prosecuting cases in municipal court. The city limits were expanded during his tenure as city counselor in the 1920s. He argued a case before the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington D.C. helping to open up additional rail service to the region. He served as a state representative in 1931-32, and actively worked for creation of the Highway Patrol. He served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1936. He briefly worked as prosecuting attorney for the county during World War II. He served as Southeast Missouri State University's attorney for more than 40 years. In those early years, Limbaugh worked closely with Regent Louis Houck.

His love of the law has been passed down through generations, making the Limbaugh name synonymous with the legal profession. His son, Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. was a Cape Girardeau attorney for many years, and now serves as a federal judge. The elder Limbaugh also practiced for many years with son Rush Jr., before his death last year. Limbaugh also has four grandsons in the legal profession.

An unassuming man, Limbaugh is no doubt uncomfortable with all the attention. He was recently honored by the Cape Girardeau County Rotary Clubs and the Cape Girardeau County Bar Association. Yes, there has been considerable hoopla, but it is certainly well deserved.

Limbaugh's life has spanned a century of change. He has influenced life in Cape Girardeau in many significant ways. And best of all, this extraordinary man shows little indication of slowing down.