A resolution honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of former United States Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond of Missouri.

Bill Number: S.Res. 255
Origin Chamber: Senate
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Congress
Status: Passed Senate
Latest Action: 2025-05-22: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3141-3142; text: CR S3124-3125)
Last Updated: 2025-06-02T14:03:07Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This Senate Resolution (S. Res. 255) honors the life, achievements, and legacy of Christopher "Kit" Bond, a former U.S. Senator from Missouri who passed away on May 13, 2025. It expresses the Senate's sorrow and pays tribute to his decades of public service.

Key Provisions

Background on Kit Bond: The resolution outlines his biography, including his birth in 1939 in St. Louis, Missouri; his roots as a sixth-generation Missourian; and his lifelong commitment to public service in Mexico, Missouri.
Public Service Roles: It highlights his positions as Missouri's State Auditor (1971–1973), the 47th and 49th Governor of Missouri (1973–1977 and 1981–1985, noted as the youngest governor at the time of his first election), and U.S. Senator for four terms (1987–2011).
Senate Contributions: During his Senate tenure, Bond advanced conservative values, supported infrastructure development, advocated for Missouri farmers, strengthened national defense, and helped secure U.S. leadership. He also expanded housing availability, grew the Parents as Teachers program, supported literacy initiatives, and improved access to care for women and children.
Overall Legacy: Bond served over 40 years in public office with integrity and is survived by his wife Linda, son Sam, and two grandchildren.
Senate Actions: The resolution directs the Senate to:
Express profound sorrow over his death.
Instruct the Secretary of the Senate to notify the House of Representatives and send an enrolled copy to Bond's family.
Adjourn as a mark of respect on the day of adoption (May 22, 2025).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This is a non-binding commemorative resolution with no legal effect. It introduces no changes to existing laws, statutes, or regulations.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Minimal; it only affects Senate proceedings by directing a brief adjournment and administrative notifications, symbolizing respect without operational disruption.
On Citizens: Primarily symbolic for Missouri residents and Bond's supporters, reinforcing appreciation for public service and potentially inspiring civic engagement. No direct policy or financial impacts.
On International Relations: None; the resolution focuses on domestic service and legacy.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Bond's Family: Direct recipients of the resolution's tribute and enrolled copy, providing formal recognition of his legacy.
Senate and Congress: All Senate members (bipartisan cosponsors include nearly the entire chamber) participate in the honor; the House is notified for awareness.
Missouri Residents and Former Constituents: Beneficiaries of the highlighted achievements in state governance, agriculture, housing, and education programs.
Public Service Community: Broadly acknowledges long-term elected officials, potentially influencing perceptions of political legacy.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal/Constitutional: As a simple resolution (agreed to by the Senate alone), it complies with Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which allows each chamber to set its rules and express sentiments. It has no enforceable legal weight.
Political: Demonstrates strong bipartisanship, with cosponsorship from a wide array of senators across parties, underscoring unity in honoring a respected figure. It may serve as a model for future tributes to former lawmakers, emphasizing themes of service, integrity, and state pride without partisan debate.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

Cosponsors (99)

Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO], Sen. Thune, John [R-SD], Sen. Schumer, Charles E. [D-NY], Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD], Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI], Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN], Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY], Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO], Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT], Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE], Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ], Sen. Boozman, John [R-AR], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL], Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC], Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA], Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV], Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA], Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME], Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE], Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX], Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV], Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR], Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND], Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT], Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL], Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL], Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA], Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA], Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE], Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC], Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA], Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN], Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO], Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI], Sen. Hoeven, John [R-ND], Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI], Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV], Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ], Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA] and 49 more

Recent Actions

2025-05-22: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S3141-3142; text: CR S3124-3125)
2025-05-22: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.
2025-05-22: Introduced in Senate

Bill Versions

Honoring the life, achievements, and legacy of former United States Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond of Missouri. — issued 2025-05-22 — PDF (3 pages)