Bryan Pratt
Encyclopedia
Bryan Pratt 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. He is unable to run for re-election in 2010 because of state term limits.
. 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
.
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.
annually presents the awards to two state-elected officials and one citizen who exemplify the dedication and spirit of Henry S. Geyer
.
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.
, but Pratt is currently running for the 8th District of the Missouri Senate
. Pratt has served in the Missouri House
since 2003 During that time, Pratt has served as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and as Speaker Pro Tem
.
. 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.
of the Missouri House of Representatives
on September 12, 2007. 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.
Pratt was reelected as Speaker Pro Tem on January 7, 2009, again by acclamation. His term as Speaker Pro Tem will last through the end of the current legislative session.
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
.
as well as various other Missouri
state universities. This includes House Bill 1417 in 2004, House Bill 440 in 2005, House Bill 1308 in 2006, House Bill 613 in 2007, House Bill 1912 in 2008, and House Bill 692 in 2009. 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
. 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. 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. 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
Jackson County, Missouri
Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. With a population of 674,158 in the 2010 census, Jackson County is the second most populous of Missouri's counties, after St. Louis County. Kansas City, the state's most populous city and focus city of the Kansas City Metropolitan...
and Lafayette Counties) in the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
. A Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, Pratt was elected to the House
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
in November 2002. He was elected the Speaker Pro Tem
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
in September 2007. He is unable to run for re-election in 2010 because of state term limits.
Early years and education
Pratt grew up in Lee's Summit, MissouriLee's Summit, Missouri
Lee's Summit is a city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Cass. As of the 2010 census found the population at 91,364 making it the sixth-largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and the sixth-largest city in Missouri...
. Pratt has three younger sisters and two younger brothers. Pratt attended William Yates Elementary School
Blue Springs R-IV School District
The Blue Springs R-IV School District is a school district that serves Blue Springs, Missouri in the State of Missouri. The district has an enrollment of over 13,000 students.-Schools:Elementary*Chapel Lakes Elementary School...
under the direction of Dr. Voy Spears, Principal. Bryan would graduated from Blue Springs High School
Blue Springs R-IV School District
The Blue Springs R-IV School District is a school district that serves Blue Springs, Missouri in the State of Missouri. The district has an enrollment of over 13,000 students.-Schools:Elementary*Chapel Lakes Elementary School...
in 1991. Bryan worked several jobs during high school and college to pay for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration
Bachelor of Business Administration
The Bachelor of Business Administration is a bachelor's degree in Commerce and business administration. In most universities, the degree is conferred upon a student after four years of full-time study in one or more areas of business concentrations; see below...
from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1995. Pratt returned home in 1995 and worked as a substitute teacher in the Lee's Summit
Lee's Summit R-VII School District
The Lee's Summit R-VII School District is a school district that serves parts of Lee's Summit, Kansas City, Missouri, rural eastern Jackson County and the entirety of Unity Village, Greenwood, Lake Winnebago , and Lake Lotawana in the State of Missouri. The district serves an area of approximately...
and Blue Springs School District
Blue Springs R-IV School District
The Blue Springs R-IV School District is a school district that serves Blue Springs, Missouri in the State of Missouri. The district has an enrollment of over 13,000 students.-Schools:Elementary*Chapel Lakes Elementary School...
. Pratt volunteered as an assistant tennis coach at Lee's Summit North High School
Lee's Summit North High School
Lee's Summit North High School is a High School that serves grades 9-12 and it is located in the north central part of Lee's Summit, Missouri. It is the second of three high schools to open in Lee's Summit, Missouri. The other two schools are Lee's Summit West High School and Lee's Summit High...
while substitute teaching. Pratt returned to the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
after his year teaching, where he graduated with a law degree from the school of law
University of Missouri School of Law
University of Missouri School of Law is the law school of the University of Missouri, a state university in the U.S. State of Missouri. It is located on the university's main campus in Columbia, forty minutes from the Missouri State Capitol and Supreme Court in Jefferson City...
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
Order of the Coif
The Order of the Coif is an honor society for United States law school graduates. A student at an American law school who earns a Juris Doctor degree and graduates in the top 10 percent of his or her class is eligible for membership if the student's law school has a chapter of the...
and the Order of Barristers
The Order of Barristers
The Order of Barristers is a United States national honor society whose purpose is the encouragement of oral advocacy and brief writing skills through effective law school oral advocacy programs. The Order of Barristers seeks to improve these programs through interscholastic sharing of ideas,...
.
Before public service
After earning his law degree, Pratt returned to the Lee's SummitLee's Summit, Missouri
Lee's Summit is a city in the U.S. state of Missouri, and is contained within the counties of Jackson and Cass. As of the 2010 census found the population at 91,364 making it the sixth-largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area and the sixth-largest city in Missouri...
area, where he began practice with Shook, Hardy & Bacon
Shook, Hardy & Bacon
Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP is a large U.S. law firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. In 2008, the National Law Journal ranked the firm as the 83rd largest in the United States.-Personnel:...
out of Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
.
Pratt married Sherry Pratt in 2002. Sherry, a nurse, now stays at home with the couples three children: Leah, Benjamin, and Ava.
Awards and recognitions
Pratt is a 2006 recipient of the Geyer Public Service Award. The University of Missouri Alumni AssociationUniversity of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
annually presents the awards to two state-elected officials and one citizen who exemplify the dedication and spirit of Henry S. Geyer
Henry S. Geyer
Henry Sheffie Geyer was a politician, lawyer, and soldier from Missouri. Born in Frederick, Maryland, he was instructed privately, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1811 and practiced law in Frederick...
.
Pratt is a 2009 recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Service to the University of Missouri-Columbia
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
. He was presented this award at a dinner in Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City, Missouri
Jefferson City is the capital of the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. Located in Callaway and Cole counties, it is the principal city of the Jefferson City metropolitan area, which encompasses the entirety of both counties. As of the 2010 census, the population was 43,079...
on April 21, 2009. Each campus, as well as the entire university system presented award. Other 2009 recipients include U.S. Senator
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
Claire McCaskill
Claire McCaskill
Claire Conner McCaskill is the senior United States Senator from Missouri and a member of the Democratic Party. She defeated Republican incumbent Jim Talent in the 2006 U.S. Senate election, by a margin of 49.6% to 47.3%. She is the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Missouri in her own...
and Missouri Representative
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
Rick Stream.
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.Public service
Pratt's political career has been limited to the Missouri House of RepresentativesMissouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
, but Pratt is currently running for the 8th District of the Missouri Senate
Missouri Senate
The Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
. Pratt has served in the Missouri House
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
since 2003 During that time, Pratt has served as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and as Speaker Pro Tem
Speaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
.
State Senate candidate
Pratt announced in late 2009 that he was running for Senator for District 8 of the Missouri SenateMissouri Senate
The Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
. The seat is currently held by Matt Bartle
Matt Bartle
Matt Bartle is a Republican politician from Missouri. He was born in Columbia, Missouri.He graduated from David H. Hickman High School, and went on to get a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Missouri, and a J.D. degree from Northwestern University. While at Northwestern,...
, 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.
Speaker Pro Tem
Pratt was elected Speaker Pro TemSpeaker (politics)
The term speaker is a title often given to the presiding officer of a deliberative assembly, especially a legislative body. The speaker's official role is to moderate debate, make rulings on procedure, announce the results of votes, and the like. The speaker decides who may speak and has the...
of the Missouri House of Representatives
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
on September 12, 2007. Pratt was nominated by Representative Gayle Kingery
Gayle Kingery
Gayle Kingery is an American, former teacher, and former Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives. He represented the 154th district, which includes part of Butler County, from 2003 to 2011...
, 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.
Pratt was reelected as Speaker Pro Tem on January 7, 2009, again by acclamation. 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.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
Ron Richard
Ronald F. Richard is a Missouri politician who was elected as a state senator in 2010 and was previously the Speaker...
. 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
Claycomo, Missouri
Claycomo is a village in Clay County, Missouri, United States. The village’s name is formed from Clay, co , and mo . The population was 1,267 at the 2000 census...
.
Major Legislation
Pratt has sponsored and supported legislation to create a voting student curator on the Board of Curators of the University of MissouriUniversity of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
as well as various other Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
state universities. This includes House Bill 1417 in 2004, House Bill 440 in 2005, House Bill 1308 in 2006, House Bill 613 in 2007, House Bill 1912 in 2008, and House Bill 692 in 2009. 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
Missouri Senate
The Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
Bill 873, sponsored by Senator Chuck Graham
Chuck Graham
Chuck Graham is a Democratic politician who formerly represented the 19th Senate District in the Missouri General Assembly, which includes the city of Columbia, Missouri, where he lives. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1987 with a B.S...
. SB873 passed both houses of the Missouri General Assembly
Missouri General Assembly
The Missouri General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Missouri. The bicameral General Assembly is composed of a 34-member Senate, and a 163-member House of Representatives. Members of both houses of the General Assembly are subject to term limits...
, but was vetoed by Governor Matt Blunt
Matt Blunt
Matthew Roy Blunt served as the 54th Governor of Missouri from 2005 to 2009. Before his election as governor, Blunt served ten years in the United States Navy, was elected to serve in the Missouri General Assembly in 1998 and as Missouri's Secretary of State in 2000.A Republican, Blunt was elected...
. Pratt has worked closely with The Associated Students of the University of Missouri on this issue.
Pratt also sponsored legislation relating to abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
. In 2009, Pratt sponsored House Bill 434, which was combined with House Bill 46, sponsored by Representative Cynthia Davis, in a House Committee Substitute. As of March 26, 2009, House Committee Substitute for House Bill 46 and 434 had been passed out of the House
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
but had not been heard on the floor of the Senate
Missouri Senate
The Missouri State Senate is the upper chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 34 members, representing districts with an average population of 160,000...
. 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. Pratt has stated during debate on the House
Missouri House of Representatives
The Missouri House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Missouri General Assembly. It has 163 members, representing districts with an average size of 31,000 residents. House members are elected for two-year terms during general elections held in even-numbered years.In 1992 Missouri...
floor that he believes his legislation will decrease the number of abortions in the State of Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...