Robert G. Clark Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert G. Clark Jr.
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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) Holmes County, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | Bryant Clark |
| Alma mater | Jackson State University Michigan State University |
| Occupation | Politician, teacher, coach |
Robert G. Clark Jr. (October 3, 1928 – March 4, 2025) was an important American politician. He served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1968 to 2004. He made history as the first African-American person to be a member of the Mississippi Legislature since 1894.
Early Life and Education
Robert G. Clark was born in Ebenezer, Mississippi, in Holmes County, Mississippi. His family owned land, which was special for African Americans at that time. His great-grandfather bought the land after the American Civil War. Robert's father continued to farm it.
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 started working in politics.
Fighting for Civil Rights
While working as a teacher in Holmes County, Mississippi, Clark became involved in the civil rights movement. This movement worked to help African Americans register to vote and get an education. This work started in 1963.
After the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was passed, Clark agreed to run for office. He ran with the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party in 1967. This law helped many African Americans register to vote for the first time since 1890.
A Historic Political Career
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. For many years, until 1976, he was the only African-American representative in the state house. He was re-elected many times and served until 2003.
In 1977, Clark became the first African American to lead a committee in the Mississippi House of Representatives. He was chosen to lead the Education Committee. He held this important job for ten years. During this time, he helped pass big changes in Mississippi's educational system. He was a key leader when the House passed the Mississippi Education Reform Act of 1982.
In 1992, Clark was elected as Speaker Pro Tempore. This means he was a high-ranking leader in the House. He was re-elected to this position in 1996 and again in 2000. When he retired in December 2003, he had served longer than anyone else in the House at that time. His son, Bryant Clark, took his place.
In 2004, a state building in Mississippi was named after Robert G. Clark Jr. He was the first African American to receive this honor. As a lawmaker, Clark was known for working well with everyone.
