Brownback unveils first names on list of notable Kansans

? A new list of the most notable figures from Kansas includes a U.S. vice president, a U.S. senator, an American Indian leader, a famed psychiatrist and a minister who coined the phrase “What Would Jesus Do?”

Gov. Sam Brownback and the Kansas Historical Society announced the first five of 25 names Thursday in a ceremony in Topeka. Eleven historians chose them. The rest will be revealed in the coming weeks.

The initial list includes Charles Curtis, vice president from 1929 to 1933; Sen. and Gov. Arthur Capper, who established a foundation to help disabled children; Kiowa chief Satanta; and Dr. Karl Menninger, whose world-renowned psychiatric clinic started in Topeka.

The other honoree was the Rev. Charles Sheldon, whose 1896 book, “In His Steps,” asked readers to consider what Jesus would do in situations in daily life.