Photo: First Lady Melania Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Rush Limbaugh as his wife Kathryn watches during the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. (Source: AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A group of Republican lawmakers wants to make “Rush Limbaugh Day” an annual celebration in Missouri.
Limbaugh, 70, a right-wing radio host from Cape Girardeau who gained national fame, died Wednesday after a battle with cancer.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports legislation introduced Friday by Rep. Hardy Billington, R-Poplar Bluff, would designate each Jan. 12, Limbaugh’s birthday, as “Rush Limbaugh Day” in Missouri.
“Citizens of this state are encouraged to celebrate the day by participating in appropriate events and activities to remember the life of the famous Missourian and groundbreaking radio host,” the legislation says.
Billington, in an interview Friday, pushed back against the suggestion that Rush Limbaugh Day would be a state holiday, saying state holidays include a paid day off from work.
“He gave you hope,” Billington said. “He’s just a great voice. He loved the people of Missouri. And see I want him to be remembered, not today, or tomorrow, but for many, many years.”
The legislation, if it advances, promises to invite controversy given Limbaugh’s decades of divisive rhetoric.
The leader of the Missouri House in 2012 installed a bust of Limbaugh in the Capitol’s “Hall of Famous Missourians.” A security camera watches over the sculpture of his head to this day.
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