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David A. Clarke
David A. Clarke.jpg
Clarke in 1975
3rd and 5th Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia
In office
September 14, 1993 – March 27, 1997
Preceded by John A. Wilson
Succeeded by Linda W. Cropp
In office
January 2, 1983 – January 2, 1991
Preceded by Arrington Dixon
Succeeded by John A. Wilson
Member of the Council of the District of Columbia for Ward 1
In office
January 2, 1975 – January 2, 1983
Preceded by Position established
Succeeded by Frank Smith
Personal details
Born
David Allen Clarke

(1943-10-13)October 13, 1943
Baltimore, Maryland
Died March 27, 1997(1997-03-27) (aged 53)
Cause of death Central nervous system lymphoma
Political party Democratic Party
Spouse Carole Leavitt Clarke
Children 1
Parents Allen Joseph Clarke and Ophia Carroll Clarke
Alma mater George Washington University B.A.,
Howard University School of Law J.D.
Profession Civil rights activist, attorney

David Allen "Dave" Clarke (October 13, 1943 – March 27, 1997) was an important American leader. He was a civil rights activist, a lawyer, and a politician from the Democratic Party in Washington, D.C..

When D.C. gained the right to govern itself (called "home rule") in 1974, David Clarke was one of the first people elected to the Council of the District of Columbia. He served as the Council's leader, or "chair," from 1983 to 1991. He became chair again in 1993 after John A. Wilson passed away, and he held the position until his own death in 1997. In 1998, the District of Columbia School of Law was renamed the David A. Clarke School of Law to honor him.

David Clarke's Early Life and Education

David Allen Clarke was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on October 13, 1943. His father died when he was a baby. When David was two, he moved with his mother to Southwest Washington, D.C.

His mother worked as a clerk for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Later, they moved to the Shaw neighborhood. David went to public schools: Thompson Elementary, Jefferson Junior High, and Western High School. When he was 16, his mother died from tuberculosis, and he went to live with his aunt in Shaw.

In 1965, Clarke earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in religion from George Washington University. He wanted to help with the Civil Rights Movement, which was a big effort to gain equal rights for all people. He studied at the Upland Institute for Social Change and Conflict Management. This institute sent him back to Washington to work with Walter E. Fauntroy at the D.C. Coalition for Conscience.

In 1966, a group called the Greater Washington Board of Trade was against D.C. having "home rule." David Clarke protested this near the Washington Monument on July 4. He was arrested when he started reading the United States Declaration of Independence.

Clarke decided to become a lawyer. He studied law at Howard University School of Law. While he was a student, he helped his mentor, Frank D. Reeves. He also worked at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, which helps people with legal issues related to civil rights. He even helped arrange legal support for people involved in the Poor People's Campaign, especially those at the Resurrection City camp.

David Clarke's Political Career

After law school, David Clarke worked for the U.S. Senate Committee on Nutrition and Human Needs. Then, he became the Director of the Washington office for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, a major civil rights organization. In 1972, he opened his own law practice.

In 1974, D.C. voters elected their first Council of the District of Columbia. David Clarke was chosen to represent Ward One. Out of the 13 members on that first council, he was the only lawyer who won his election.

During his eight years representing Ward 1, he led the Council's Judiciary Committee. This committee deals with laws and justice. He also worked on the Housing and Finance committee. He was a strong supporter of gun control while leading the Public Safety Committee for the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.

After serving two terms for Ward 1, Clarke was elected as the Council's Chair in 1982. This was a separate, city-wide position. He served as Chair for eight years. In 1990, he ran for Mayor but did not win.

As Council Chair, he helped create the D.C. School of Law. After leaving the Council, he helped start a special program at the law school. This program focused on teaching students how to work on new laws and rules. In 1993, he ran for Chair again after John A. Wilson passed away, and he won. He remained Chair until his own death. During his time as Chair, the School of Law joined the University of the District of Columbia. After he died, the school was renamed the David A. Clarke School of Law in his honor.

David Clarke was known for being able to connect with people of all backgrounds. This was important in a city that sometimes had racial divisions. He died from a type of brain cancer called central nervous system lymphoma. He was survived by his wife, who was a schoolteacher, and his son.

Key Dates in David Clarke's Life

  • November 5, 1974 – Elected as the Ward 1 council member.
  • November 7, 1978 – Reelected as the Ward 1 council member.
  • November 2, 1982 – Elected as the Council Chairman.
  • November 4, 1986 – Reelected as the Council Chairman.
  • September 11, 1990 – Ran for Mayor but lost in the primary election to Sharon Pratt Dixon.
  • September 14, 1993 – Elected Council Chairman again in a special election after John A. Wilson died. He won with 47 percent of the votes.
  • November 8, 1994 – Reelected as the Council Chairman.
  • December 30, 1996 – Entered Georgetown University Hospital. Charlene Drew Jarvis became the acting chairman.
  • March 27, 1997 – Died while still in office.

Awards and Lasting Impact

David Clarke received many awards for his work in the community. These include the Outstanding Alumnus Award from the Greater Washington Howard University Law School Alumni Association. He also received the Human Rights Award from the Ancient Independent Order of Moses. The Washington Inner City Self-Help group gave him an Outstanding Service to Community Award. The Law School at the University of the District of Columbia is named after him: "The UDC David A. Clarke School of Law."

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