McCaskill Congratulates Missouri Artist on Ornament Design

Press Release

The holiday season is here and families across Missouri are putting up their Christmas trees and dusting off holiday decorations. Today, U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill took a moment to congratulate local artist Richard Jones for his work designing a very special holiday ornament. Every year, the White House asks each Congressional office to submit an ornament for the official White House Christmas tree decorated by an artist in their state or district representing the spirit of that region. McCaskill selected veteran Richard Jones of the St. Louis area to design this year's ornament.

Jones served in the United States Air Force Combat Security Police and later as a St. Louis police officer where he was shot and wounded in the line of duty leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. Following his injury, he took up art as a hobby and his artwork is often of a patriotic theme and reflective of his African-American heritage. This year's White House holiday theme is ‘Red, White and Blue Christmas'.

Jones and his wife spent this past weekend in Washington at the White House's invitation - artists are invited to see their completed work on the White House Christmas Tree. The Joneses enjoyed their first trip to Washington, where they visited the White House holiday decorations and attended a party hosted by First Lady Laura Bush.

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