Former Sen. Jack Danforth to receive Truman Public Service Award on June 18

Former U.S. senator Jack Danforth will receive the annual Truman Public Service Award in June.

The award, presented by Independence, normally is given on or near the May 8 birthday of former president Harry S. Truman. To accommodate Danforth’s schedule, the city will present the award June 18 at a time to be determined.

“The award is given to a private citizen or public servant who embodies the integrity of former president Truman, and we certainly feel that Senator Danforth represents that quality,” said Mayor Eileen Weir, who serves as the public service award committee chairwoman.

Weir said that Danforth’s selection was not related to his high-profile response to the February suicide of Missouri Auditor Tom Schweich, in which Danforth lamented the “bullying” nature of a radio advertisement critical of Schweich. Award committee members had considered Danforth for several years, Weir said, and had contacted him about accepting the award before the controversy.

The annual award ceremony is held on the front steps of the Truman Library.

This story was originally published April 22, 2015 at 4:40 PM with the headline "Former Sen. Jack Danforth to receive Truman Public Service Award on June 18."