Jesse J. McCrary Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jesse McCrary
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| 19th Florida Secretary of State | |
| In office July 19, 1978 – January 2, 1979 |
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| Governor | Reubin Askew |
| Preceded by | Bruce Smathers |
| Succeeded by | George Firestone |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Jesse James McCrary Jr.
September 16, 1937 Blitchton, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | October 29, 2007 (aged 70) Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Florida A&M University (BA, JD) |
| Profession | Attorney |
Jesse James McCrary Jr. (born September 16, 1937 – died October 29, 2007) was an American lawyer from Florida. He was a civil rights activist who worked to make sure everyone had fair and equal rights.
Later, he became involved in state politics. From 1978 to 1979, he served as the Secretary of State of Florida. This was a very important role because he was the first Black person to be part of the Florida Cabinet since the time of Reconstruction. Jesse McCrary Jr. was honored for his work by being added to the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Jesse McCrary Jr. was born in 1937 in Blitchton, Florida. His father was a Baptist preacher. Jesse went to Howard Academy in Ocala. He was a talented athlete and played quarterback for his school's championship football team.
After high school, he studied political science at Florida A&M University. While there, he was very active in the civil rights movement. He helped organize sit-ins in Tallahassee to protest unfair rules. He was also on the debate team, part of the drama club, and an ROTC cadet. Before becoming a lawyer, he served in the Military Intelligence Corps. He earned his law degree from Florida A&M University College of Law in 1965.
A Career in Law and Public Service
First Black Assistant Attorney General
In 1967, Jesse McCrary Jr. made history again. He became Florida's first Black assistant Attorney General. In this job, he worked on many important legal cases and advised the state's Racing Commission.
Arguing Before the Supreme Court
Just three years later, he became the first Black lawyer to argue a case before the Supreme Court of the United States on behalf of a Southern state. This was a very big deal! The case was about whether a state could use six-person juries for certain criminal cases. The court decided in favor of the state.
Working in Miami and for the State
In the 1970s, McCrary was a partner in a law firm. He also looked into issues with the government and police department in Opa-locka. He was the first Black attorney for the Dade County School Board.
Florida Governor Reubin Askew appointed him to be a judge for the Florida Industrial Commission. At that time, he was the highest-paid Black official in Florida.
Serving as Secretary of State
After working in private law for five years, Governor Askew appointed McCrary to the Florida Constitution Revision Commission in 1977. The next year, Askew chose him to be the Secretary of State of Florida. He took over from Bruce Smathers, who had left the position. As Secretary of State, he helped the governor choose people for judicial roles.
Community Involvement and Recognition
After his time as Secretary of State, McCrary returned to his private law practice in 1979. He stayed very active in his community throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He helped a local county commissioner who was facing problems. He also worked to change how local government districts were set up.
In 1991, he volunteered his time to lead a local community services organization. He helped save it from financial trouble. In 2000, he was appointed to the Board of Miami Children's Hospital. In 2001, he joined a group that advised a judge on a government effort to buy land for Everglades National Park.
In 2003, the Florida Legislature passed a special resolution. This resolution recognized Jesse McCrary Jr.'s important work on ten major cases that went before the Florida Supreme Court.
Later Years
Jesse McCrary Jr. passed away in 2007 after an illness.
