Claire served in the Missouri State House from 1983-1988, becoming vice-chair for the Civil and Criminal Justice Committee. From the outset, media outlets from across the state recognized Claire as a top performing state legislator. In just her second year as a representative (1984), The St. Louis Globe-Democrat picked her as one of 6 top legislators showing "outstanding public service." That same year, The Kansas City Star wrote: McCaskill "has turned out to be one of the most enterprising representatives ... Although only a freshman legislator, McCaskill has sponsored or carried some of the most important justice-related proposals to pass through the House during her tenure." [St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 5/7/1984, The Kansas City Star, 7/30/1984]
By 1987, McCaskill received the Medal of Honor from the National Foundation for Improvement of Justice for her Minimum Sentencing Act, which for the first time in Missouri, required repeat offenders to serve a percentage of their sentences behind bars. She was one of only ten recipients nationwide and one of only two individuals to receive recognition that year (1987). This same year, she received the "Outstanding Legislator Award" from the Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.
In her last year as a representative (1988), The Kansas City Star called her "one of the best" representatives Kansas City had sent to the capitol and predicted her future success: "She is a hard worker. She has led the House on legislation requiring tougher sentences for crimes, including longer terms for offenders. She has been successful in strengthening rape and domestic violence laws. She has been an advocate for crime victims, children and working women ... It is doubtful the voters have seen the last of her. We hope not." [The Kansas City Star, 4/19/1988]
Criminal Justice
McCaskill authored the Minimum Sentencing Act, which for the first time in Missouri required repeat offenders to serve a percentage of their sentences behind bars.
McCaskill received the Medal of Honor from the National Foundation for Improvement of Justice for her legislation to protect citizens from violent crime. She was one of only ten recipients nationwide and one of only two individuals to receive recognition that year (1987).
McCaskill received the Special Recognition award from the Rose Brooks Shelter for Battered Women, a Special Criminal Justice Award from the Missouri State Troopers and a Special Recognition Award from the Fire Marshall's Association of Missouri.
Women
McCaskill handled the Victim Witness Protection Bill, which strengthened the state's domestic violence laws by allowing victims to receive economic support.
Hear from Claire's Family
