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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2025
Lt. Governor David Wasinger Honors Mark Twain and Missouri’s Storytelling Legacy at Ron Chernow Event
ST. LOUIS, MO – Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger will deliver remarks this weekend at the Missouri Humanities 2025 Keynote Address in St. Louis celebrating biographer Ron Chernow. The acclaimed author is in town to present on his newest work featuring one of Missouri’s most iconic figures: Samuel Clemens, known to the rest of the world as Mark Twain.
Wasinger, who like Mark Twain hails from Hannibal, Missouri, reflected on how growing up in the small town along the banks of the Mississippi River shaped his own appreciation for stories, heritage, and community.
“In Hannibal, Twain’s stories weren’t just something you read—they were part of everyday life,” Wasinger said. “On front porches and at dinner tables, in church pews and classrooms, his words weren’t fiction to us; they were reflections of our community.”
Wasinger praised Missouri Humanities for spotlighting Twain’s legacy and elevating Missouri’s rich literary tradition. He noted that Chernow’s decision to write about Mark Twain further cements Missouri’s place in the national cultural narrative.
The Lieutenant Governor will conclude his remarks by introducing Chernow, whose work has brought American history to life for millions of readers. Chernow, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is best known for his work biographing iconic Americans including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Ulysses S. Grant.
“To see a Missourian like Mark Twain honored on the international stage is a reminder that the values and voices of our small towns still matter, and that they still move the world,” Wasinger said.
For more information about Missouri Humanities and upcoming events, visit www.mohumanities.org.
About David Wasinger
David Wasinger serves as Missouri’s 49th Lt. Governor. Wasinger is a lifelong Missourian, raised in Hannibal, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia and Vanderbilt University School of Law, building a career as an attorney who stood up to powerful special interests and fought for justice for everyday Americans.
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Contact: Chris Walker
Chris.Walker@ltgov.mo.gov
Office: (573) 751-4727
Office of Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger
Missouri State Capitol
201 Capitol Ave., Room 224
Jefferson City, MO 65101 |
