By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO – Hundreds of friends, supporters and political luminaries turned out in downtown St. Louis Thursday night to honor Missouri Democrat Dick Gephardt for his years of service.
Gephardt is retiring from public life after a 28-year career that saw him serve as the Democratic leader of the House and two-time presidential candidate.
He was also a strong ally of labor, said Teamsters union president James P. Hoffa. "And you know, I think that if Dick Gephardt had been our candidate, this would not be a red state, this would be a blue state, a blue state here in Missouri!"
Other figures including Governor Bob Holden and even Grammy award winner Michael Bolton were at the event.
Gephardt himself said while he may have been disappointed that he never reached higher office,he had a larger goal in mind.
"It never was about me, it was about trying to make things better for us. What is really important is that each of us try to make the world a better place in whatever way we can."
The event also raised $1.1 million for several charities Gephardt supports, and for the new Gephardt Institute at Washington University.