MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Blackmon, Barnett, Barrett, Berry, Blackwell, Blount, Boyd, Brumfield, Bryan, Butler, Carter, Chassaniol, Chism, DeBar, DeLano, England, Fillingane, Frazier, Harkins, Hickman, Hill, Hopson, Horhn, Jackson, Johnson, Jordan, Kirby, Ladner, McCaughn, McLendon, McMahan, Michel, Norwood, Parker, Parks, Polk, Rhodes, Robinson, Seymour, Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Sparks, Suber, Tate, Thomas, Thompson, Turner-Ford, Whaley, Wiggins, Williams, Younger
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXTENDING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE ON THE PASSING OF FORMER MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SPEAKER PRO TEMPORE ROBERT GEORGE CLARK, JR.
WHEREAS, the members of the Mississippi Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives join the citizens of Mississippi in mourning the passing of former Speaker Pro Tempore Robert George Clark, Jr., from Lexington, Mississippi, who passed away on March 4, 2025, at age 96; and
WHEREAS, Speaker Clark became the first African American elected to the Mississippi Legislature since Reconstruction, serving from 1967 to 2003 and rising to the rank of Speaker Pro Tempore in the Mississippi House; and
WHEREAS, born in Ebenezer, Mississippi, Clark was Chairman of the Education Committee when the Education Reform Act of 1982 was passed. His other leadership roles included Chairman of the Ethics Committee and Vice Chairman of the Apportionment and Elections Committee. Clark earned scholarships to attend Jackson State College (now Jackson State University) and graduated in 1952. When Clark decided to seek election to the Legislature as an Independent from Holmes County in 1967, he received support from the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, and his victory was the result of a longstanding voter registration effort in the county. Clark narrowly defeated incumbent J.P. Love; and
WHEREAS, Clark went to Michigan to earn a Master's Degree in Education, and then fulfilled a promise he had made to older relatives by returning to the family land in Mississippi. As a teacher and coach, he often visited his athletes' homes; and
WHEREAS, Speaker Clark was a longstanding supporter of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History's (MDAH) work, specifically the creation of the Two Mississippi Museums. The MDAH is honored to hold the Robert George Clark, Jr., Collection at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Along with his historic election win in 1967, Representative Clark is remembered for his support of education initiatives in our state and as an advocate for MDAH's work to share and preserve Mississippi's authentic stories. His life's work has left an indelible impact for future generations. Clark also served on the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum Advisory Commission since its formation, and he participated in the 2015 MDAH documentary, 50 Years and Forward: The Voting Rights Act and Mississippi, co-produced with the University of Mississippi. Clark and his wife, Joanne, were frequent attendees of department programs, and in 2017, the Legislature was honored to celebrate Representative Clark in the historic House Chamber of the Old Capitol Museum. The event featured leaders of both political parties in the state, a testament to Clark's bipartisan agility; and
WHEREAS, Clark also won the respect and support of colleagues, Black and White, who elected him in January 1992 to House Speaker Pro Tempore, a position he retained until he retired in 2004. Clark was among five activists and elected officials honored in February 2018 during a black-tie gala at the newly opened Mississippi Civil Rights Museum; and
WHEREAS, Speaker Pro Tempore Clark was a businessman, rancher, a faithful member of the Baptist Church and the Elks, and all during his life he was a dedicated family man, raising his two sons, Robert George III and Bryant Wandrick, with his now deceased wife, Essie. He is survived by his beloved wife, the former Jo Ann Ross, and her daughter, LaLeche, each of whom remain as testaments to his legacy of strength, integrity and service; and
WHEREAS, former Mississippi State Representative Bryant W. Clark, Speaker Clark's son stated, "He was not just a trailblazer in our state's history, but a true mentor and counselor to me. He shaped me into the man I am today, and through every challenge and triumph, he was there. He was my hero, both in public service and in life, and his impact will forever be felt by me and many others"; and
WHEREAS, Speaker Clark was not only a treasured member of our Mississippi Legislature, but he also brought valuable life experiences to our work here. His work, along with the perspective and insight he brought to this Legislature, will long be remembered by all of us. We will miss him, and may the work that we do in the years to come honor his memory:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby extend the deepest sympathy of the Legislature on the passing of former Mississippi House of Representatives Speaker Pro Tempore Robert George Clark, Jr., and offer our condolences to his surviving family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of former Mississippi House of Representatives Speaker Pro Tempore Robert George Clark, Jr., forwarded to the Board of Trustees of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.