Senator Brian Williams’ Legislative Column for April 10, 2025

Some Were Neighbors

Missouri Holocaust Education Week is April 7-11 this year. This was designated several years ago by legislation I proudly sponsored and the tireless efforts of advocates, like the Missouri Holocaust Education and Awareness Commission. Observed in school districts across the state and in the Rotunda of the Capitol on April 8, this year’s focus was “Some Were Neighbors: Collaboration and Complicity in the Holocaust,” a moving exhibit outlining the horrors of disinformation and manipulation of the truth that ultimately led to the senseless execution of 6 million Jews and other innocent people. I was honored to meet with members of this commission on Tuesday, including Dee Dee Simon, Lolle Boettcher and Cammy Goucher, and introduce them to my colleagues on the Senate floor. Visit the website, moholocaustcommission.org, to find more information or educational resources. Every child we can educate and mind we can open about this dark period in history will help weave the mantra of “never again” into the fabric of our society. 

The Senate Progress and Development Committee I chair held a hearing on April 8 and advanced several more proposals. One of these, Senate Bill 777, designates June 17 of each year as “Neighborhood Gun Violence Prevention Day” to honor the life of Preston Ja’mon “Tink” Jones, who died from a gunshot wound while sleeping in his bed on June 17, 2022. During the hearing, several of Tink’s young cousins and his mourning mother shared his heartbreaking story and implored communities to take action on these senseless, preventable acts. Mitigating the epidemic of gun violence and addressing the underlying causes will substantially benefit our community and state and help families, like Tink’s, find justice.

2025 Senate Art Exhibit Winners Announced

Congratulations are in order for Lena Williams, a sophomore at STEAM Academy at McCleur South-Berkeley High, whose artwork was chosen to represent District 14 in the Senate Art Exhibit in the Capitol. Her compelling artwork, titled “The Beauty of Life,” was honored on April 10 during the annual ceremony hosted by the competition’s joint sponsors, Missouri Art Education Association and the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education. I enjoyed presenting Lena a resolution for her incredible talent.

Local Superintendents Share Ideas and Successes

On April 11, I hosted my annual Education Summit and invited all of our community’s superintendents to share ideas, concerns and successes. The commissioner of education and other state officials were on site to provide updates and answer questions. I love opportunities like this, where dialogues and ideas transform into action and policies.

Human Trafficking Awareness

On April 9, the House Special Committee on Tourism passed Senate Bill 348 to enact several state designations. Included in this package is Human Trafficking Awareness Week during the second week of April. As you know, I have been hosting an annual event to help address this scourge in Missouri since 2021. The 2025 forum is the evening of April 17 on the campus of the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Please try to attend if you are available and share the flyer blow on your social media platforms to help get the word out.

Introduction of Guests

On April 9, local students and members of FCCLA came to the Capitol to job shadow legislators, watch us debate and learn more about the lawmaking process. I enjoyed visiting with them and introducing them to my colleagues in the chamber.

It is an honor representing each of you in the Missouri Senate. If you have any ideas to improve our district or questions about legislation, please contact my office at 573-751-4106 or visit my Senate website at senate.mo.gov/Williams.