Bill that would designate day for Eliot and Muriel Battle goes back to Senate
Steven Lambson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Missouri House sent an amended bill for state designations back to the Senate on Wednesday.
One such designation would make June 28 each year “Eliot and Muriel Battle Day” in Missouri. The text of the amendment says people are “encouraged to participate in…events and activities” honoring Eliot Battle, the first Black faculty member at Hickman High School, and Muriel, the first Black principal in the Columbia Public School District.
“The couple worked as a team to ease racial tensions during the 1960s and have been recognized with schools…named in their honor,” the amendment says.
Battle High School in Columbia is named for Muriel Battle. The elementary School which sits adjacent to Battle High School was named in honor of Eliot Battle.
“It’s a lovely tribute to two pioneer educators in Columbia Public Schools,” CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark wrote in a statement to ABC 17 News. “[We are] grateful to Rep. [David] Tyson Smith for bringing this recognition forward at the state level.”
Senate Bill 1544’s text mostly lays out designations for bridges or roadways to honor military service members, law enforcement, first responders or other public servants. The bill also says if the Kansas City Chiefs relocate outside the state, the Chiefs would not be the official professional football team for Missouri.