Mel Hancock to be inducted into Hall of Famous Missourians

(From Speaker of the House Tim Jones)

One of Missouri’s most renowned statesmen who championed smaller government and lower taxes will be honored at the state Capitol by House Speaker Tim Jones. Jones will induct Mel Hancock into the Hall of Famous Missourians during a ceremony in the House Chamber scheduled for Wednesday, May 14th at 9 a.m.

“Mel Hancock has been an inspiration to me in my own career in public service as I have admired and shared his commitment to smaller government, less spending and lower taxes. His diligence in defending the rights of Missouri taxpayers was unparalleled and his dedication to creating a fiscally responsible government forever altered our state in a profoundly positive way,” said Jones, R-Eureka.


Jones added, “As we look at some of our most famous Missourians like John Ashcroft and Harry Truman, there is no doubt that Mel Hancock deserves a spot alongside them in the Hall. It is a deep honor and privilege for me to be the Speaker who enshrines this incredible public servant so that future generations will remember and respect the undeniable effect he had in making Missouri one of the most fiscally responsible states in the nation.”

In 1977 Hancock founded the Taxpayer Survival Association, which was created to educate the public on the merits of limited taxation. Hancock’s efforts to protect Missouri taxpayers culminated in a statewide ballot initiative designed to limit the amount of revenue raised by the state and to empower voters to have the final say on whether they should pay higher taxes. Known as the Hancock Amendment, the change to the Missouri Constitution was approved in 1980 and remains in effect today. It was one of the first state tax limitation amendments passed in the United States and remains relevant today.

In the late 1990’s the Missouri General Assembly, after a court ruling, refunded nearly a billion dollars to taxpayers after finding a major tax increase enacted without voter approval was excessive under the Hancock Amendment. Today, the Hancock Amendment continues to be a hedge against new tax increases considered by the General Assembly, its members knowing that any significant tax increase must win voter adoption.

Born and raised in Southwest Missouri, Hancock was later a four-term Congressman for the 7th Congressional District who was respected for his commitment to lowering taxes and limiting the amount government can collect and spend. Prior to his time in office, Hancock served in the United States Air Force and was a successful businessman.

Hancock will be the 43rd inductee into the Hall of Famous Missourians. The Hall, which is located in the third floor rotunda of the Missouri State Capitol, includes bronze busts of all inductees, including famous Missourians such as Mark Twain, Walt Disney, and Susan Elizabeth Blow.