Governor Mel Carnahan Public Service Award

The Mel Carnahan Public Service Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated their commitment to public service, education and law by making a difference for people in Missouri. Annual nominees are Missourians who have made significant contributions through their service, both paid and volunteer, in the public service, education and law sectors. Honorees have demonstrated both an extraordinary commitment to service and significant achievements that have made a real difference for the community served.

2023 Recipient Congressman Tom Coleman – Public Service

Congressman Coleman has committed himself to public service throughout his entire career.

Congressman Coleman began his career in public service with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office in 1969. He has represented the people of Missouri both at the Missouri House of Representatives, where he was elected as the first Republican to ever represent Clay County in 1972, and later at the U.S. House of Representatives, where he represented Missouri’s 6th District from 1976 until 1993.

Congressman Coleman has continued his commitment to public service as an adjunct professor and Senior Advisor to the Dean at the Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service at NYU, and at American University. He is also the past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the U.S. Capital Historical Society and is Trustee Emeritus of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. He has also served on the University Council Committee at Yale University, as well as a consultant for the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s Task Force on Gender Equity.

Congressman Coleman has also published several opinion pieces critical of the Trump administration and their GOP allies, including a piece that famously called for Trumps impeachment.

Today, much of former Congressman Coleman’s work is in support of organizations aimed at protecting U.S. elections, including serving as an Advisory Board Member for States United Democracy Center.

Source: Carnahan Award

“I was recently honored as the recipient of the Governor Mel Carnahan Public Service Award. Governor Carnahan put his state and country above party and provided outstanding leadership to the citizens of Missouri during his four decades of service. I greatly appreciate the Carnahan Family’s support and recognition of my public service career.”