A Poplar Bluff couple who have worked tirelessly for the Democrat Party was honored Saturday night as the recipients of the Best Democrats of the Year Award for 2018.
The annual award was presented during the 53rd annual Truman Day Rally, hosted by the Butler County Central Committee and Butler County Democratic Women's Club, at the Holiday Inn.
In presenting the award, Thelma Brannum said, club members had chosen to honor Leon and Bettye Pulley. The award was given to the Pulleys in appreciation and recognition of their dedicated services to the Butler County Democratic Party.
The Pulleys, Brannum said, were chosen for "the work they've done. They really sold a lot of tickets and worked hard for the rally.
"They've worked tirelessly for the party."
Keynote speaker for the 53rd rally was Bruce Franks Jr., Missouri Representative of the 78th District in St. Louis.
In opening his speech, Franks, who was dressed in athletic attire, said, he is "always me. I don't change," including wearing a suit for an event such as the Truman Day Rally.
"I say the same thing in every room," he said. "I may say some things that you might not agree with. I may say some things that may make you uncomfortable.
" ... That's how we're going to change things. That's how we move forward."
Franks said he will be 34 next week, and in his life, he has attended 172 funerals.
The most recent, he said, was for his "blood brother," who was best man at this wedding.
The first funeral, Franks said, was on June 7, 1991. At that time, he said, his family was living in St. Louis.
Franks described himself as being "from the hood," so it was not unusual to hear arguing.
Franks said he and his brother (ages 6 and 9) saw man with a gun.
"We see guns all the time," said Franks, who indicated another man then picked his brother up and used him as a human shield.
Of those 172 funerals, Franks said, most were for young people, who "should be here."
When asked why he is having a "big party" for his 34th birthday, Franks said, it is because of all those who never made it to 18, 25 or even 30.
For some, "it's hard to imagine, but it's real," Franks said.
Franks described himself as growing up poor; his mother worked at White Castle.
"My mom raised us on minimum wage," said Franks, who indicated his mother is the most wonderful person in the world.
Franks said he never considered himself as an activist or a protestor.
"We lose people every day, every month ... and go to funerals," Franks said. " ... This is what we see each and every day. That is what I thought until 2014."
Aug. 9, 2014, Franks said, was his son's first birthday.
As Franks' family was preparing to celebrate, "my phone blows up," as does his social media about a black man who has been killed in Ferguson, he said.
"I made a decision to go out there," he said. "I was never an activist; I was never a protestor (but) I felt I needed to be there."
While there, Franks said, he saw "people who looked like me" and people who looked "like every individual in this room ...
"I saw folks that all felt the same way ... heartbroken. I'll tell you the truth, when I was out there, I was angry."
Franks said he didn't know what to do with his anger.
"I saw what happened to that young man; I was ready to fight," said Franks. "I seen it so many times (then) I realized what was different about Michael Brown."
Brown's body, according to Franks, laid on the ground for 4 1/2 hours, time enough to drive from Chicago "to see his body in the street. ...
"That wouldn't happen in a community that wasn't predominately black."
Franks supports the Black Lives Matters movement, adding, "We believe all lives matter. Until certain injustices happen (then) we have to be specific.
" ... We have to stand up to all injustices even if its not happening in our community."
What happened at Ferguson spurred Franks to run for office and win with 76 percent of the vote.
Franks described himself as a fighter, just as the Democrat party is.
"I fight to get to a solution; I fight for common ground," Franks said. "I fight to win (and) if that takes working across the aisle, that's what I'm doing to do."
And, he said, it can be done with his integrity in tact as he works for what is best for the entire State of Missouri.
To the young Democrats in the room, Franks said, they are "our future" and should be included in decisions.
"They're the ones who will be carrying out our legacy," he said, " ... We should be talking (with) the young folks," as well as "supporting them and fighting with them."
As Democrats, Franks said, communication is the greatest power they have.
"Never pass up an opportunity to educate and reach somebody," he said.
Also speaking during the rally were: Stephen Webber, chair of the Missouri Democratic Party; Ann Moroh, sister of U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill; Kathy Ellis, candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, 8th District; Robert Smith, candidate for Missouri House of Representatives, 152nd District; Jerry Howard, candidate for Missouri House of Representatives, 152nd District; and Jalen Anderson, Jackson County Democratic Central Committee.