Congressman Gephardt Gephardt News

Former Staff and Partners of the Institute Gather for Congressman Gephardt’s 80th Birthday

Attendees Include Joyce Aboussie, Donna Brazile, Dan Foley, and Bob Holden

Nearly 200 former employees, partners, and campaign staff members affiliated with Congressman Dick Gephardt hosted a virtual reunion over the summer for a belated 80th birthday celebration for the Congressman. Mr. Gephardt served for 28 years in the United States House of Representatives (from 1977 to 2005), representing Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District, home to his birthplace St. Louis. Mr. Gephardt established an endowment for the Gephardt Institute for Public Service (now the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement) in 2005 and currently serves as the President and CEO of Gephardt Government Affairs.

Congressman Gephardt in 1977 in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC.
Congressman Gephardt in 1977 in front of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

Attendees from each chapter of Mr. Gephardt’s career attended, including staff from the St. Louis and DC Congressional offices, Efficient Government Committee (EFG), the House Majority and Democratic Leader offices, as well as his 1988 and 2004 U.S. Presidential Campaigns. Mr. Gephardt and his family attended, as well as several of his prominent former staffers, including Joyce Aboussie, who chaired the event, previously served as National Political Director for Congressman Gephardt, and worked at the top of his political organization for nearly 30 years. Other prominent attendees included Donna BrazileDon Foley, and Bob Holden.

Throughout the virtual reunion, guests shared stories of their experiences working with the congressman. For those who know him well, it is little surprise that many of the stories revolved around St. Louis Cardinals baseball and food. Without exception, each reflection ultimately revealed how Mr. Gephardt played a pivotal role in the professional careers and personal growth of each reunion attendee, and their respect for his integrity and lifelong commitment to public service.

The reunion also served a dual purpose in bringing people together and benefiting causes important to Mr. Gephardt, including the Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement at Washington University in St. Louis. Guests raised nearly $80,000 in tribute to his legacy of public service and his commitment to educating the next generation of civic leaders.

At the close of the reunion, Congressman Gephardt shared remarks and expressed thanks to his colleagues and friends gathered in the virtual reunion. Before signing off he reminded everyone that “If there was ever a time that we needed active citizenry, it is now. It is always.”


To learn more about the Gephardt Institute visit https://gephardtinstitute.wustl.edu/