2015-K1407

Celebrating the life and accomplishments of The Honorable Barbara M. Clark, New York State Assemblywoman of the 33rd Assembly District

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2015-K1407


LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION celebrating the life and accomplishments of The
Honorable Barbara M. Clark, New York State Assemblywoman of the 33rd
Assembly District

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and
commend those individuals of distinguished purpose whose lives were
committed to public service and the pursuit of excellence in the conduct
of the legislative process in this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, With feelings of deepest regret, this Legislative Body must
record the passing of one of New York State's most distinguished citi-
zens, The Honorable Barbara Marlene Clark, who died on Monday, February
22, 2016, at the age of 76; and
WHEREAS, Born on June 12, 1939, in Beckley, West Virginia, Barbara M.
Clark was first elected to the New York State Assembly in November of
1986, representing the constituents of the 33rd Assembly District in
Queens, New York; and
WHEREAS, Concerned for her Queens community and the quality of life of
its residents, Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark served as a tireless advo-
cate for the needs of children, families and the elderly; her warm spir-
it and her firm belief that we all have a responsibility to defend the
well-being of our fellow citizens will be remembered by many; and
WHEREAS, This empathy coupled with her determined spirit, drove her to
become an effective leader in education reform, day care and community
development; working with the community, she devoted much of her time to
creating institutions, policies, and programs, all designed to foster
stability and growth within the 33rd Assembly District; and
WHEREAS, As a leading advocate for parents having a statutory role in
education policy-making, Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark was a primary
sponsor of the 1996 New York City School Governance Law, which mandates
parental involvement in decision-making; and
WHEREAS, She has been unrelenting in her battle to change New York
State's inadequate and inequitable school finance system and was an
early supporter of the CAMPAIGN FOR FISCAL EQUITY (CFE) V. STATE OF NEW
YORK lawsuit which helped bring such inequities to the forefront; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark continuously
advocated for a better quality of life for senior citizens in the State
of New York; she promoted legislation to safeguard seniors from finan-
cial exploitation, telemarketing fraud and predatory lending; she also
focused on safety, environmental, transportation and land zoning issues;
and
WHEREAS, Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark, throughout her legislative
career, held a variety of important positions, including Assistant
Majority Whip, a member of the Majority Steering Committee, served on
the Health Budget Conference Committee, and Chair of the Education
Committee of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian
Legislative Caucus; furthermore, she chaired the Assembly Standing
Committees on Aging, State and Federal Relations and the New York State
Legislative Women's Caucus, a bipartisan organization of women legisla-
tors from both the Senate and the Assembly; and
WHEREAS, On the national level, Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark served
as Vice-Chair of the National Conference of State Legislators' (NCSL)
Education, Labor and Job Training Committee, and member of both the
Human Services Committee and the Education Partners; and
WHEREAS, The sincere condolences of this Legislative Body are offered
in great respect and loving honor to Barbara M. Clark's treasured fami-
ly; she is survived by her husband, Thomas Clark, Jr.; three children,

Crystal, Thomas III, and Brian; and two granddaughters, Taylor and
Lauren; she was predeceased by her daughter, Jan; and
WHEREAS, Every citizen in New York State has most certainly benefit-
ted, in one way or another, from the deep dedication, intelligence and
passion that Assemblywoman Barbara M. Clark brought to her work as a
legislator and public policy-maker; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life and accomplishments of The Honorable Barbara M.
Clark, New York State Assemblywoman of the 33rd Assembly District; and
be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of The Honorable Barbara M. Clark.

actions

  • 25 / May / 2016
    • INTRODUCED
  • 25 / May / 2016
    • ADOPTED

Resolution Details

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Resolutions, Legislative

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