House Concurrent Resolution 73

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE, LEGACY AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CIVIL RIGHTS PIONEER, OBEDIAH "OBIE" CLARK, AND EXPRESSING THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY OF THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, Obediah "Obie" Clark, former President of the Meridian Chapter of the NAACP, departed this earthly life on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, to enter into eternal rest with his Heavenly Father, causing great sorrow and loss to his family and friends; and

WHEREAS, one of Meridian's few remaining pioneers of the Civil Rights Movement, Clark, always outspoken, often ruffled feathers as he protested the social injustices of his people, as he passionately fought for quality education for children of all races and firmly stated his views on issues personal to him; and

WHEREAS, a graduate of Whisenton High School and Mississippi Industrial College, holding a degree in biology, Mr. Clark taught for eight years at Porterville and Spencer High Schools in Kemper County before resigning to take a job with STAR, Inc. (Systematic Training and Redevelopment), where he founded the community action agency, LEAP, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure as Director of LEAP, he brought to Meridian the Neighborhood Youth Corp; Foster Grandparents; the Neighborhood Service Center, which fostered the founding of WEEMS, Inc.; the weatherization program; Meals on Wheels; what is now the 1st Mississippi Federal Credit Union; and East Mississippi Legal Service Program; and

WHEREAS, "Obie" was elected in 1969 to the position of President of the Meridian/Lauderdale County Branch of the NAACP, a position he held for 32 years, wherein he dedicated himself to helping distressed and under-represented citizens of Lauderdale County with problems of discrimination and ill treatment by law enforcement or employers; and

WHEREAS, a veteran army soldier of the Korean War, Mr. Clark entrenched himself in a cause greater than himself, tackling the injustices posed by civil and social discrimination by using the courts and the powers of the NAACP to solve problems for the many people who sought his help; and

WHEREAS, in 1969, he and the Rev. J.C. Killingsworth used the federal courts to desegregate the Highland Park swimming pool; during the early 1970s he went to federal court to have the at-large system of voting declared unconstitutional, allowing Meridian to begin holding elections by wards; and it was also during the 1970s that he went to federal court and received a ruling that the City of Meridian must comply with the one-man-one-vote provision of the 1965 Voting Rights Act; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Clark led and guided employees who were being discriminated against under Title 7 of the Civil Rights Act, prohibiting discrimination based on race, sex, and other characteristics, resulting in over $1 million in monetary damages awarded to employees of Flintkote Company, Meridian Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, Newell Paper Company and several other companies in Meridian; and

WHEREAS, an active member of First Union Missionary Baptist Church where he served as chairman of the deacon board for many years, "Obie" formerly served as First Vice President of the Mississippi Conference of the NAACP under the late Dr. Aaron Henry; and

WHEREAS, remembered by many as an admirable public servant, he has been lauded as a warrior in the struggle for the cause of civil equality inspired to activism to improve conditions for future generations so they would not have to endure the segregation and discrimination he experienced growing up; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to now stand on golden heavenly shores, the legacy of his memory shall continue to have profound impact on the lives of those for whom he struggled and served as a model, including his survivors: wife of 49 years, Melba Baird Clark; daughter, Tracey Clark Washington (Korey); three grandchildren, Clark Elizabeth, Jason and Andrew Washington; sisters, Ollie M. Bailey, Thelma Hickman and Barbara Clark; and a host of other relatives and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend the life and legacy of such a remarkable driving force for civil equality in the State of Mississippi as Mr. Clark, a pioneer of justice for all:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend the life, legacy and contributions of civil rights advocate, Obediah "Obie" Clark, and express deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Clark, the Meridian/Lauderdale County Branch of the NAACP and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.