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 who served three times in the Connecticut House of Representatives. He represented the 140th assembly district of Norwalk, Connecticut. He was a member of the Democratic Party. His time in the House was from 1997 to 2003. Before that, he also served on the Norwalk Common Council starting in 1995.
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 attended Long Island University and Howard University. He earned a Master of Divinity degree from Yale Divinity School. He also received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.
A Career in Ministry and Teaching
Mr. Clemmons was ordained as a minister in 1952. In 1975, he was a Martin Luther King fellow. This allowed him to travel to West Africa, visiting Nigeria and Ghana. He worked as an elementary school teacher in Baltimore. Later, he taught middle and high school in Bridgeport and Norwalk. In 1979, he stopped teaching Spanish to focus fully on his ministry. He was a president of the Hampton University Ministers' Conference. He still serves on its executive board. In 1988, he was honored by being inducted into the Morehouse College of Preachers. Mr. Clemmons also founded the Miracle Temple Church of God in Christ in Norwalk.
Political Journey
Joseph Clemmons began his political career in Norwalk. He was elected to the Norwalk Common Council in 1995. This council helps manage the city. He then won a special election in February 1997. This made him a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives. He was re-elected in November 1998. He won again in November 2000.
Other Important Roles
Beyond his political and ministry work, Mr. Clemmons held several other important positions:
- He served as the chaplain for the Norwalk Fire Department.
- He was a member of the board of directors for Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now (NEON). This group helps people in need.
- He founded Pivot Ministries. This is a program that helps people overcome challenges.
- He was an executive director and 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.
