Robert G. Clark Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert G. Clark Jr.
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Clark in 1969
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| Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives from the 47th district | |
| In office 1968–2003 |
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| Succeeded by | Bryant Clark |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 3, 1928 Ebenezer, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | March 4, 2025 (aged 96) Ebenezer, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Robert G. Clark, III Bryant Clark |
| Alma mater | Jackson State University Michigan State University (MA) |
| Occupation | Politician, teacher, coach |
Robert George Clark Jr. (born October 3, 1928 – died March 4, 2025) was an important American politician. He served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1968 to 2004. He represented the 47th district. Mr. Clark was the first African-American person to be a member of the Mississippi Legislature since 1894.
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Robert Clark's Early Life
Robert George Clark was born in Ebenezer, Mississippi. His family owned land there. His great-grandfather bought land after the American Civil War. Robert's father continued to farm this land.
Education and Family
Clark went to Jackson State University for his first college degree. He then earned a Master's Degree from Michigan State University. He almost finished his PhD before he became a politician.
In 1960, many black landowners in Holmes County owned a lot of land. This was special because in most of the American South, many farmers worked on land owned by others.
Clark was married twice. His first wife, Essie Austin, passed away in 1978. He later married Jo Ann Ross. He had two sons and a stepdaughter. Mr. Clark passed away at his home in Ebenezer on March 4, 2025, when he was 96 years old.
Clark's Role in Civil Rights
While working as a teacher in Holmes County, Mississippi, Clark became involved in the civil rights movement. This movement worked to help people register to vote and get an education. Because of his activism, he lost his teaching job.
Voting Rights and Elections
After the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed, Clark agreed to run for office in 1967. He ran with the Freedom Democratic Party (FDP). The FDP had helped thousands of black voters register for the first time since 1890.
Clark was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1967. He took his seat on January 2, 1968. He was the first African American elected to the Mississippi State Legislature since the Reconstruction era. Until 1976, he was the only African-American representative in the state house. He won re-election many times and served until 2003.
Leadership in the Legislature
In 1977, Clark made history again. He became the first black committee chairman in the Mississippi House of Representatives. He led the Education Committee for ten important years. During this time, Mississippi's education system saw many changes and improvements.
Key Education Reforms
Clark was in charge of the Education Committee when the House passed the 1982 Education Reform Act. This act was very important for schools in Mississippi. He also helped pass the 1984 Vocational Education Reform Act.
In January 1992, he was chosen as Speaker Pro Tempore. This means he was a leader who could fill in for the Speaker. He was re-elected to this position in 1996 and again in 2000.
Retirement and Legacy
When he retired from the Mississippi House of Representatives in December 2003, he had served longer than anyone else in the House. His son, Bryant Clark, took his place in office.
In 2004, Robert Clark became the first African American to have a Mississippi state building named after him. As a lawmaker, Clark was known for working well with everyone.
