Education
Robert Clark, first legislator of Mississippi under civil rights, dead in 96
Robert Clark was the very best rating of a black man in the Mississippi government.
Robert G. Clark, the first representative of Black House Mississippi elected after the movement for civil rights, died on March 4 on the age of 96, reports Associated Press.
His son, Rep. Bryant Clark said he died calmly for natural reasons.
Chosen in 1967, Clark met with intensive racism and social confusion when he took the place on the Mississippi legislator. The former pedagogue obtained a master’s degree in education. After attending College in Michigan, he returned home, assessed the needs of Mississippi residents and decided to take motion.
During his profession, Clark was appointed Pro tempore speaker from Mississippi House in 1992 and sat down on the house education committee.
In an interview with Mississippi public Broadcasting Clark, he thought of his mission to enhance the life of all Mississippi, regardless of political ideology.
“Instead of going to a legislator acting against someone, go to the legislator working for Mississippi,” he said. “I spent 36 years in legislation, and my main interest was to look for Mississippi. Regardless of the weakness of Mississippi, I looked at it and tried to strengthen it. I did not look at whether they were independent, democratic or Republican – I just looked at the need. “
Clark first ran to the office as independent, unrelated to any political party. He He remembered his release and ignored by other legislators.
“They wouldn’t sit with me,” he said.
On the day of his death, the legislators honored Clark for a moment of silence in the identical rooms in which he once bore insulation as a black man in the federal government. The presence of Clark in the legislator of Mississippi was historical as a direct descendant of enslaved people.
“He was definitely a pioneering and an icon,” said House speaker (*96*) White. “He was always very good for me when I was elected to office.”
Former colleague and current mayor of Vicksburg George Flaggs he spoke high Clark’s legacy.
“My prayers go to Robert Clark and his family,” said Flaggs. “Dear Robert Clark broke so many barriers. I will always remember him as a gentleman who has persevered. I learned so much from him. He was a man giant. “