By KWMU
St. Louis, MO – The Carnahan family is setting up a foundation to mark the fifth anniversary of Gov. Mel Carnahan's death.
It will be called the Carnahan Foundation and will help fund efforts like public policy research, public service initiatives, and leadership training.
"I am so pleased that over the last five years our children and so many of our former staffers have become involved in various aspects of public service," said Carnahan's widow and former Senator Jean Carnahan. "Obviously, Mel's life had a profound effect on them. The Foundation is a formal and enduring way of continuing his example."
Jean and Mel Carnahan's son, Russ, became a U.S. Congressman this year and daughter Robin became Missouri's Secretary of State. Another Carnahan son, Tom, is an attorney and consultant in St. Louis.
The governor, his son Randy, and aide Chris Sifford died in a plane crash on October 16, 2000, while Carnahan was campaigning for U.S. Senate.
The Democratic governor still defeated Republican Senator John Ashcroft, and Jean Carnahan was appointed to serve in the Senate. She was later defeated by Republican Jim Talent.