South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

South St. Louis County News

St. Louis Call Newspapers

Joan Barry forms exploratory panel for 3rd District congressional seat

Joan Barry forms exploratory panel for 3rd District congressional seat

Former state Rep. Joan Barry of Oakville recently announced the formation of an exploratory committee for the 3rd Con-gressional seat now held by U.S. Rep. Richard Gephardt, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the presidency.

Barry formed the committee through the advice and encouragement of many civic, business and labor leaders in the 3rd Congressional District, according to a news release.

A Democrat, Barry first was elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1996 and served four full terms. Term limits kept the former representative from seeking a fifth term.

While serving in the Missouri House, Barry chaired the Children, Families and Health Committee. She also served on the committee for Elementary and Secondary Education, among several others.

She served as Majority Caucus secretary in the House leadership and as regional director of the National Order of Women Legislators.

As a member of the Missouri House, Barry sponsored numerous bills dealing with education, law enforcement, home health agencies, domestic violence, foster care and crime.

For her work, Barry has been recognized by various organizations, including the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association and Cardinal Glennon Child-ren’s Hospital.

Barry is a registered nurse and a member of the Missouri Nurses Association. She serves as board president of the Nurses for Newborns Foundation and is a board member for the March of Dimes.

She also is a member of the Parents as Teachers Advisory Committee, the South County Chamber of Commerce and the Oakville Lions Club. Barry is married to Phil Barry and the mother of four children and grandmother to six.

Barry has indicated that her exploratory committee will weigh her options for a possible bid to succeed Gephardt.

Over the next few weeks, Barry will speak with various community members to assess her run for the U.S. House, the release stated.