Joseph Clemmons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph D. Clemmons, Sr.
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| Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 140th District |
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| In office 1997 – January 8, 2003 |
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| Preceded by | Donnie Sellers |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Mann |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1929 Brooklyn, New York |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Loretta G Shields (1931–1985) Geraldine Clemmons Frankie Marie Collier |
| Children | five children Joseph, Jr., Angela |
| Residences | Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Alma mater | Long Island University (BA in Spanish, 1952) Yale Divinity School (MA in divinity, 1989) Colgate Rochester Divinity School (D Min) |
Joseph D. Clemmons, Sr. was born in 1929. He is a former politician from Norwalk, Connecticut. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
Mr. Clemmons served in the Connecticut House of Representatives. This is a group of lawmakers for the state of Connecticut. He was a representative for the 140th district from 1997 to 2003. Before that, he was on the Norwalk Common Council starting in 1995. The Common Council helps run the city of Norwalk.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joseph D. Clemmons, Sr. is the son of Frank Clemmons. His father founded the First Church of God In Christ in Brooklyn, New York. Joseph Clemmons went to Long Island University and Howard University. He earned a special degree called a Master of Divinity from Yale Divinity School. He also received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Colgate Rochester Divinity School.
In 1952, Clemmons became an ordained minister. In 1975, he was chosen as a Martin Luther King fellow. This allowed him to travel to West Africa, visiting Nigeria and Ghana.
Career as a Teacher and Minister
Mr. Clemmons worked as an elementary school teacher in Baltimore. He also taught middle and high school in Bridgeport and Norwalk. He was a certified teacher of Spanish. In 1979, he stopped teaching full-time to focus on his ministry work.
He was once the president of the Hampton University Ministers' Conference. This is a meeting for ministers in Hampton, Virginia. He still serves on its executive board. In 1988, he was honored by being inducted into the Morehouse College of Preachers. Joseph Clemmons is also the founder of Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ in Norwalk.
Political Journey
Mr. Clemmons began his political career in Norwalk. In 1995, he was elected to the Norwalk Common Council. This council helps make decisions for the city.
He then moved to state politics. In February 1997, he was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in a special election. He was re-elected in November 1998 and again in November 2000. He served in this role until January 2003.
Other Important Roles
Beyond his political and ministry work, Joseph Clemmons has held several other important positions:
- He served as the chaplain for the Norwalk Fire Department. A chaplain provides spiritual support.
- He was a member of the board of directors for Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now (NEON). This group helps people in need.
- He was also the executive director and a board member of Norwalk Area Ministry.
- In 2004, he was elected as an associate justice. This was for the nine-member judiciary board of the Church of God in Christ World-wide. He served a seven-year term in this role.
