2016 Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame

The 2016 Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony took place on April 14 at the White River Conference Center in Springfield, Missouri. The event recognized the third inductees into the Hall of Fame: Laura Ingalls Wilder, Mark Arnoldy, Henry Bloch, Pat Danner and Jimmie Edwards.

Jim Anderson, vice president of marketing and public affairs at CoxHealth, emceed the dinner and induction ceremony.

Recognition of honorees

Throughout the evening, the honorees were recognized in person and via video.

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon congratulated the honorees and thanked them for their service.

Laura Ingalls Wilder

The first inductee into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame was Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Laura Ingalls Wilder is best known as the author of the “Little House” children’s books that were the basis of the television show “Little House on the Prairie.” She was also an accomplished author, mother, teacher, journalist and businesswoman.

Jean Coday, president of the Board of Directors and director of the Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum, accepted the award on behalf of Laura Ingalls Wilder and delivered remarks to the audience.

Mark Arnoldy

The second inductee into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame was Mark Arnoldy.

Arnoldy grew up in Springfield and graduated from Kickapoo High School. His work to deliver high-quality, low-cost healthcare through Possible Health has improved the quality of life for hundreds of thousands of people in Nepal.

Arnoldy accepted the award and delivered remarks to the audience.

Henry Bloch

The third inductee into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame was Henry Bloch.

Henry Bloch is a native of Kansas City. H&R Block – which he started with his brother – was founded there, and Henry and his late wife, Marion, have given back to their hometown in many ways.

David Miles, president of the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation and The H&R Block Foundation, accepted the award on behalf of Henry Bloch.

Pat Danner

The fourth inductee into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame was Pat Danner.

Pat Danner is a former Missouri Senator and U.S. Senator for Missouri. Legislation she sponsored while in the U.S. Congress continues to help food banks, churches and others provide food to people who need assistance.

Danner accepted the award and delivered remarks to the audience.

Jimmie Edwards

The fifth inductee into the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame was Jimmie Edwards.

Jimmie Edwards is a native of St. Louis. As a Missouri circuit court judge, Edwards has seen many juvenile offenders come through his courtroom. In response, he founded the Innovative Concept Academy, which is the first school in America supervised by a judge and dedicated to the education of juvenile delinquents.

Edwards accepted the award and delivered remarks to the audience.

Social media coverage

Guests who attended the Missouri Public Affairs Hall of Fame were encouraged to share about their experiences on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #ShowMeCitizens.