Bryan Pratt

Bryan Pratt
Speaker Pro Tem of the Missouri House of Representatives
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 12, 2007
Preceded by Carl Bearden
Member of the Missouri House of Representatives from Missouri's 55th District
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 8, 2003
Preceded by Carson Ross
Personal details
Born October 23, 1972 (1972-10-23) (age 39)
Blue Springs, Missouri
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Sherry Pratt
Children Leah Pratt
Benjamin Pratt
Ava Pratt
Residence Blue Springs, Missouri
Alma mater University of Missouri (B.A., 1995)
University of Missouri (J.D., 1999)
Occupation Attorney
Religion Roman Catholic
Website http://www.bpratt.com

Bryan Pratt (born October 23, 1972) is the current representative for District 55 (Jackson and Lafayette Counties) in the Missouri House of Representatives. A Republican, Pratt was elected to the House in November 2002. He was elected the Speaker Pro Tem in September 2007.[1] He is unable to run for re-election in 2010 because of state term limits.

Contents

Early years and education

Pratt grew up in Lee's Summit, Missouri. Pratt has three younger sisters and two younger brothers. Pratt attended William Yates Elementary School under the direction of Dr. Voy Spears, Principal. Bryan would graduated from Blue Springs High School in 1991. Bryan worked several jobs during high school and college to pay for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of Missouri in 1995. Pratt returned home in 1995 and worked as a substitute teacher in the Lee's Summit and Blue Springs School District. Pratt volunteered as an assistant tennis coach at Lee's Summit North High School while substitute teaching. Pratt returned to the University of Missouri after his year teaching, where he graduated with a law degree from the school of law in 1999. Pratt graduated in the top 10% of his class, was an Associate Managing Editor of the Missouri Law Review, and was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Order of Barristers.[2]

Before public service

After earning his law degree, Pratt returned to the Lee's Summit area, where he began practice with Shook, Hardy & Bacon out of Kansas City, Missouri.

Pratt married Sherry Pratt in 2002. Sherry, a nurse, now stays at home with the couples three children: Leah, Benjamin, and Ava.[2][3]

Awards and recognitions

Pratt is a 2006 recipient of the Geyer Public Service Award. The University of Missouri Alumni Association annually presents the awards to two state-elected officials and one citizen who exemplify the dedication and spirit of Henry S. Geyer.[4]

Pratt is a 2009 recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Service to the University of Missouri-Columbia. He was presented this award at a dinner in Jefferson City, Missouri on April 21, 2009. Each campus, as well as the entire university system presented award. Other 2009 recipients include U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill and Missouri Representative Rick Stream.[5]

Group Memberships

Pratt is a member of St. John La Lande Church, Missouri Bar Association, and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association YLS Public Service Committee.[6]

Public service

Pratt's political career has been limited to the Missouri House of Representatives, but Pratt is currently running for the 8th District of the Missouri Senate.[2] Pratt has served in the Missouri House since 2003[7] During that time, Pratt has served as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee[8] and as Speaker Pro Tem.[9]

State Senate candidate

Pratt announced in late 2009 that he was running for Senator for District 8 of the Missouri Senate. The seat is currently held by Matt Bartle, who is unable to run for re election due to Missouri's term limits. Pratt was the first Republican to announce that he was running for the seat.[2]

Speaker Pro Tem

Pratt was elected Speaker Pro Tem of the Missouri House of Representatives on September 12, 2007.[1] Pratt was nominated by Representative Gayle Kingery, and his nomination was seconded by Representative Shane Schoeller. Representative JC Kuessner was nominated to run against him, but Representative Kuessner withdrew his nomination. Because of this, Pratt was elected to Speaker Pro Tem by acclamation.[10]

Pratt was reelected as Speaker Pro Tem on January 7, 2009, again by acclamation.[11] His term as Speaker Pro Tem will last through the end of the current legislative session.

Committees

As Speaker Pro Tem, Pratt serves as an ex-officio member of all committees of the House. Additionally, he has been specifically assigned to the House Local Government, House Ethics, Joint Legislative Research and Joint Pre-need Funeral Contracts Committees.[7]

Pratt previously served as a member of the House Rules Committee, but was removed from the committee on June 28, 2010 by Speaker Ron Richard. Pratt had voiced opposition to a bill, and was told by the Speaker that he would be removed from the Rules Committee if he planned to vote no on the bill. According to Pratt, "It is frustrating that because I want to vote against giving Missouri taxpayer dollars to keep large corporations in business, I am no longer allowed to serve on that committee." The bill in question would have given state money to an automotive plant in Claycomo, Missouri.[12]

Major Legislation

Pratt has sponsored and supported legislation to create a voting student curator on the Board of Curators of the University of Missouri as well as various other Missouri state universities. This includes House Bill 1417 in 2004,[13] House Bill 440 in 2005,[14][15][16] House Bill 1308 in 2006,[17] House Bill 613 in 2007,[18][19] House Bill 1912 in 2008,[20] and House Bill 692 in 2009.[21] None of these bills have been debated on the House floor, though the issue was brought up on the House floor in 2008 in the form of Senate Bill 873, sponsored by Senator Chuck Graham. SB873 passed both houses of the Missouri General Assembly, but was vetoed by Governor Matt Blunt.[22] Pratt has worked closely with The Associated Students of the University of Missouri on this issue.

Pratt also sponsored legislation relating to abortion. In 2009, Pratt sponsored House Bill 434, which was combined with House Bill 46, sponsored by Representative Cynthia Davis, in a House Committee Substitute.[23] As of March 26, 2009, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 46 and 434 had been passed out of the House but had not been heard on the floor of the Senate. This bill criminalizes forced abortions and coercing a woman into having an abortion, as well as requires certain information to be provided to women considering an abortion.[24][25][26] Pratt has stated during debate on the House floor that he believes his legislation will decrease the number of abortions in the State of Missouri[27]

Electoral history

2008 Election for Missouri’s 55th District House of Representatives[28]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bryan Pratt 12,685 63.7
Democratic Mike O'Donnell 6,838 34.3
Libertarian Kevin Parr 396 2.0
2006 Election for Missouri’s 55th District House of Representatives[29]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bryan Pratt 8,649 62.1
Democratic Patrick J. Pierce 5,269 37.9
2004 Election for Missouri’s 55th District House of Representatives[30]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bryan Pratt 11,583 63
Democratic Lanna Ultican 6,789 37
2002 Election for Missouri’s 55th District House of Representatives[31]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bryan Pratt 6,068 55
Democratic Neal L. McGregor 4,955 45

References

  1. ^ a b Area lawmakers chosen as Mo. House leaders - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  2. ^ a b c d About Bryan - Retrieved June 29, 2010
  3. ^ Member Biography - Retrieved March 25, 2009
  4. ^ 2006 Geyer Award Announced - Retrieved March 25, 2009
  5. ^ UM Alumni Association News Releases - Retrieved May 8, 2009
  6. ^ Member Biography - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  7. ^ a b Representative Bryan Pratt - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  8. ^ 2006 House Judiciary Committee Members - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  9. ^ 2007 House Leadership Directory - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  10. ^ Journal of the House Veto Session, First Day - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  11. ^ Journal of the House, First Day - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  12. ^ Representative Bryan Pratt Forced Off Committee - Retrieved June 29, 2010
  13. ^ HB1417 - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  14. ^ HB440 - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  15. ^ Bill Would Give Student Curator Vote - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  16. ^ Bill Proposes Board Add Student Vote - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  17. ^ HB1308 - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  18. ^ HB613 - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  19. ^ Pratt Proposes Student Representative Bill Again - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  20. ^ HB1912 - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  21. ^ HB692 - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  22. ^ SB873 - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  23. ^ HB434 - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  24. ^ Abortion bill wins initial approval in Missouri House - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  25. ^ Ending Forced Abortions - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  26. ^ Missouri House OKs Bills Stopping Coerced Abortions, Allowing Ultrasound View - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  27. ^ Abortion coercion bill gets initial OK from Missouri House - Retrieved March 26, 2009
  28. ^ Missouri Secretary of State Election Archives - Retrieved March 25, 2009
  29. ^ Missouri Secretary of State Election Archives - Retrieved March 25, 2009
  30. ^ Missouri Secretary of State Election Archives - Retrieved March 25, 2009
  31. ^ Missouri Secretary of State Election Archives - Retrieved March 25, 2009

External links

Preceded by
Carl Bearden		 Speaker Pro Tem of Missouri House of Representatives
2007 –		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by
Carson Ross		 55th District Representative to Missouri House of Representatives
2003 –		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
Members of the Missouri House of Representatives
96th General Assembly (2011–2012)
Speaker of the House: Steven Tilley (R) • Speaker pro Tempore: Shane Schoeller (R) • Majority Leader: Tim Jones (R) • Minority Leader: Mike Talboy (D)
   
  1.    Craig Redmon (R)
  2.    Zachary Wyatt (R)
  3.    Casey Guernsey (R)
  4.    Mike Thomson (R)
  5.    Glen Klippenstein (R)
  6.    Lindell Shumake (R)
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  10.    Jay Houghton (R)
  11.    Ed Schieffer (D)
  12.    Doug Funderburk (R)
  13.    Chuck Gatschenberger (R)
  14.    Kathie Conway (R)
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