Rep. John Patrick Burnett, a Democrat, represents a district in Kansas City, Jackson County, (District 40) in the Missouri House of Representatives. His district includes the Kansas City Neighborhoods of Historic Northeast, the River Market, Columbus Park, Vietnamese-American Community, Pendleton Heights, Independence Plaza, Scarritt Renaissance, Sheffield, Lykins, Blue Valley and Indian Mound.

 

He was elected to the House in November 2002 and reelected in 2004.

 

In addition to his legislative duties, Rep. Burnett is a practicing attorney. He has been a member of the Missouri Bar since 1978. His law practice has been mostly in the courts of Kansas City and includes three appearances in the Missouri Supreme Court.

 

Burnett was elected to the Jackson County Legislature during the 90’s and served as the Jackson County representative to the Bi-State Commission during the restoration of Union Station.

 

He has served on numerous boards and commissions during his career including neighborhood, civic, school and church activities. Currently he serves on the Board of Directors of the the Helping Hand of Goodwill and the City of Kansas City Oversight Commission for the City Market. He is past president of the St. Mary’s High School and the Holy Cross School Boards. Rep. Burnett is a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

 

 Burnett attended East High School in Kansas City. He received an Associate’s of Liberal Arts degree from Penn Valley Community College in 1971, and the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1975. He received his Juris Doctor law degree in 1978 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law.

 

Burnett is a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He served in Vietnam during 1967 and 1968 and is a veteran of the Tet Offensive. He is a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

 

Born in 1946 in Kansas City he is the oldest of ten children. Rep. Burnett resides near Cliff Drive area with his wife his wife of 27 years, Ingrid. Ingrid, an educator, serves as an elected member of the Kansas City School Board and is Vice-President of that Board. They have three children: Elizabeth, Nicole and Sean.