92nd General Assembly
Rep.
Chuck Graham, a Democrat, was elected in 2002 to his fourth term representing
part of Boone County (District 24) in the Missouri House of
Representatives. Rep. Graham is the
first wheelchair user ever elected to the House of Representatives.
Prior
to being elected to the House, Rep. Graham worked as the Missouri Coordinator
for the ADA Project at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He was responsible for providing training
and technical assistance to business, state and local governments and people
with disabilities across the state.
Rep.
Graham is a 1987 graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign,
where he earned his bachelor of science degree in journalism. While at the U.
of I., he received the Harold Scharper Service Award and the George Huff Award
for proficiency in scholarship and athletics.
He was also a member of Delta Sigma Omicron, the organization for
disabled students, Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and Ma-Wan-Da Honorary
Society.
Within
his community, he belongs to the Southern Boone Jaycees, Columbia Elks #594,
Muleskinners, Boone County Democratic Central Committee, and serves on advisory
board for Habitat for Humanity. Rep.
Graham has served as chair of the Missouri Assistive Technology Council, and currently
serves on the Governor's Council on Disability. He most recently as appointed
to the Board of Directors for Missouri Protection and Advocacy Services.
In
1990, he was recognized by the U.S. Congressional Task Force on the Rights and
Empowerment of Americans with Disabilities for his leadership in passing the
ADA Act. The Missouri Jaycees named him
one of the Ten Outstanding Young Missourians in 1996. In 1997, the National Rehabilitation Association bestowed upon
him the E.B. Whitten Silver Medallion and the Governor's Council on Disability
gave him their Breaking the Barriers Award.
In 1997,1998, 2001 and 2002, Rep. Graham was honored as the Elected
Official of the Year by Services for Independent Living. In 1998 he was honored,
along with actor Christopher Reeve, by Gateway to a Cure for the work he has
done to improve opportunities for people with disabilities. He received the
Norma Robb Award-Outstanding Young Democrat of Boone County in 1999. The
University of Missouri presented their Human Rights & Diversity Award to
Rep. Graham in March 2000. He was named Legislator of the Year by Disabled
Citizens Alliance for Independence in December 2000 and 2001. In 1998, he received the A+ Award from the
National Education Association. Rep. Graham
was honored with the Barrier Freedom Award from SEMO Alliance for Independence
in 2000. He received the Distinguished
Legislator Award in 2001 from the Missouri Community College Association, and
the 2001 Legislative Award from the Missouri Association for Career and Technical
Education. The MU Alumni Association
presented Rep. Graham with the Tiger’s Roar Award in 2002. In 2002, he was honored with the Distinguished
Service Award from the Human Environmental Sciences Alumni Organization. The Missouri Easter Seals honored him in
1995, with their Disability Leadership Award, and in November, 2002, Easter
Seals presented him with the Outstanding Advocate Award at their national
convention.
Rep.
Graham is a nationally renowned public speaker, who travels throughout the
state and nation, motivating people to get involved in their communities.