SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 6

Senators Brinks, Nesbitt, Albert, Anthony, Bayer, Bellino, Bumstead, Camilleri, Cavanagh, Chang, Cherry, Daley, Damoose, Geiss, Hauck, Hertel, Hoitenga, Huizenga, Irwin, Johnson, Klinefelt, Lauwers, Lindsey, McBroom, McCann, McMorrow, Moss, Outman, Polehanki, Runestad, Santana, Shink, Singh, Theis, Victory, Webber and Wojno offered the following concurrent resolution:

A concurrent resolution of tribute offered as a memorial for Virgil Clark Smith, former member of the Michigan Senate and Michigan House of Representatives.

Whereas, It was with great sorrow that the members of the Legislature learned about the passing of Virgil Clark Smith. A dedicated public servant for over 40 years, he was a trailblazer who served his community with courage, dignity, compassion, and integrity. He will be remembered as a dedicated public servant and justice-seeker by his constituents in Wayne County and the people of our great state; and

Whereas, A Detroit native, Virgil Clark Smith graduated from Pershing High School in 1965. He remained in Michigan to continue his education, receiving a bachelor?s degree in political science from Michigan State University and a juris doctor from Wayne State University Law School; and

Whereas, After law school, Virgil Clark Smith began his long career in public service, which included serving as a legal advisor to community groups for Wayne County Legal Services and as senior assistant corporation counsel for the City of Detroit Law Department; and

Whereas, In 1976, Virgil Clark Smith won a tough primary, defeating the incumbent, and made his way to the Capitol the following year to serve in the House of Representatives, where he would represent the people of the Tenth District for nearly twelve years. During his time in this chamber, he would serve on numerous committees, including as chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Energy and majority vice chair of the Committees on Judiciary and Taxation, while also serving on the Committees on Colleges and Universities, Corrections, Elections, Insurance, Labor, and Tourist Industry Relations, as well as the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. In addition to his service on standing committees, Virgil Clark Smith was appointed chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on State Assumption of Trial Court Operation, the House Special Committee to Study State Financing of the Courts, and the House Ad Hoc Special Committee to Study State Financing of the Courts. Known as a champion of Detroit, he used those same skills to reorganize the court system. His leadership qualities were recognized by his caucus where he served as a Majority Floor Whip from 1979 to 1982 and as an Assistant Majority Floor Leader from 1983 to 1988. He would remain in the House until 1988 when he was elected in a special election to represent the Second District in the state Senate; and

Whereas, While in the Senate, Virgil Clark Smith represented part of East Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck. Noted for his quick grasp of issues, his knowledge of the legislative process, and a sensitivity to the needs of Michigan citizens, he was a significant figure while serving in the minority. Moreover, he was known for his pursuit of fairness through the law and being a strong voice on policy questions. Never afraid of a challenge, he worked in a bipartisan fashion to reorganize Detroit Public Schools despite immense pressure. His work continued through the committee process where he served as minority vice chair of the Committees on Families, Mental Health and Human Services; Finance; Gaming and Casino Oversight; and Government Operations. Additionally, he served on the Committees on Banking and Financial Institutions; Family Law, Criminal Law, and Corrections; Judiciary; and Local Government and Veterans; as well as the Committee on Appropriations and its Capital Outlay, Regulatory, and Transportation Subcommittees. He also served on the Legislative Council and was a member of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus. From 1995 to 2000, he served as the Senate Democratic Floor Leader, the first African American to hold the position. Recognized with numerous awards, in 1996 he was voted Legislator of the Year by both the Michigan Judges Association and the Police Officers Association of Michigan; and

Whereas, After leaving the Legislature, Virgil Clark Smith served in the Wayne County Prosecutor?s Office, where he was appointed as a division chief of legislation and community outreach. In 2004, he was appointed as a judge to the Wayne County Circuit Court by Governor Jennifer Granholm. From 2009 to 2014, Virgil Clark Smith served as the chief judge, once again blazing a trail by becoming the first African American to hold such a position. Virgil Clark Smith would serve on the bench until he retired in 2018; and

Whereas, Virgil Clark Smith?s dedication to his community went beyond the nine-to-five jobs that he held. He served as the chair of the Mayor of Detroit?s Task Force on Arson, as the secretary of Consolidated Black Economic Development Inc., and as the vice president of the Seven-Mile-Ryan Emery Block Club. Virgil also served as an executive board member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, Inner City Drug Abuse Inc., and New Detroit. Additionally, he was a member of the NAACP, the National Bar Association, the Wolverine Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, and the Detroit Strategic Planning Commission; and

Whereas, Virgil Clark Smith is remembered by his friends, family, and colleagues as a tenacious man who was not afraid to fight for his constituents or what he thought was right. Throughout his illustrious career, Virgil Clark Smith always maintained a high level of professionalism and conducted himself with dignity. Respected by colleagues and staff on both sides of the aisle, many considered him to be the ideal political mentor; and

Whereas, Outside of his work, Virgil Clark Smith enjoyed riding his motor scooter, kayaking on the Detroit River, and spending time with his family. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth; four children, Virgil, Adam, Anthony, and Jordan; and two grandchildren; and

Whereas, Upon Virgil Clark Smith?s passing, we offer our condolences to his loved ones. His contributions to these chambers and the state of Michigan will be remembered; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we offer this expression of our highest tribute to honor the memory of Virgil Clark Smith, a member of Michigan?s House of Representatives from 1977 to 1988 and the Michigan Senate from 1988 to 2000; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Smith family as evidence of our lasting esteem for his memory.