Congressman Cleaver’s Statement on the Passing of Mayor Richard Berkley

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement after the passing of former Kansas City Mayor and City Councilmember Richard Berkley.

“Today, I’ve lost a dear friend and Kansas City has lost an iconic leader.

“For 12 years as Mayor, and 10 more on the City Council, Dick Berkley offered the calm, collected, and utterly effective leadership that helped transform Kansas City into the major metropolitan area it is today.

“From the expansion of Bartle Hall to the revitalization and economic development of neighborhoods across Kansas City, the impact of Dick Berkley can be felt in every zip code of our great city. While I was proud to honor his legacy through the Berkley Riverfront, we all owe him a debt of gratitude for his lifelong devotion and public service to our community.

“There are countless things I could say to honor the memory and legacy of Mayor Berkley—the first Jewish Mayor in Kansas City’s history or his Harvard-educated business acumen to name just a few—but in this moment of bitter polarization, I’ll always remember his refusal to look at life through a partisan lens. Although he was a Republican, and I a Democrat, I cannot recall a single moment when Mayor Berkley was anything less than helpful, supportive, and committed to the progress and unity of our communities—because that was all that mattered in his eyes. I believe that is something to be treasured, and something that will be sorely missed.

“I pray for comfort for the entire Berkley family as they grieve such a monumental loss, and I pray that our community will take the lessons and legacy of Mayor Berkley to be used as a guiding light on our march toward a better future for all of Kansas City.  May his memory be our blessing.”

###

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.