By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Ron Richard, of Joplin, took the helm of the Missouri House of Representatives on Wednesday after ceremonies in which he was officially elected speaker of the House.

Richard’s election was part of an opening session in which new and re-elected members took their oaths of office before nominating and installing the House leadership.

Speeches in support of Richard praised his energy, drive, work ethic and bipartisanship approach.

“He’s worked in every corner of the state and on both sides of the aisle,” said state Rep. Jay Wasson, R-Nixa.

He said Richard’s business background and his work leading the House Special Committee on Job Creation and Economic Development “makes him the person who can lead this body at this time.”

Dozens of Joplin-area officials and friends of the family watched as Richard repeated the oath of office before Judge Daniel Scott, of Joplin, of the Missouri Court of Appeals, Southern District.

The crowd of well-wishers included Mayor Gary Shaw and several members of the Joplin City Council, a group Richard led as mayor from 1994 to 1997.

Councilman Bill Scearce said he has known Richard since 1968 and is not surprised that he has been elevated to the top spot in the Missouri House.

“He’s always been a leader, and the cream rises to the top,” Scearce said.

In outlining plans for the session, Richard, a Republican, acknowledged that the state faces challenging times and pledged to work across party lines to address them.

“Far too many families are struggling, and the state faces a $300 million budget shortfall,” he said. “The only way we can meet these challenges is to put aside our differences and work for the common good.”

He outlined a plan to provide relief to Missourians struggling with the current economic climate by enhancing job-creation efforts by expanding the Quality Jobs Program and developing innovative programs to attract new businesses.

Richard headed the committee that crafted the Quality Jobs Program, which offers state incentives to some businesses that offer wages that meet or exceed the county or state average and pay at least half of the employees’ health-insurance costs.