Assembly Resolution No. 1407
BY: M. of A. Heastie
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
citizens, 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
advocate for the needs of children, families and the elderly; her warm
spirit 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 NewYork 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
financial 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
legislators 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 family; 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
benefitted, 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
transmitted to the family of The Honorable Barbara M. Clark.
