AR HMR1006

Former Arkansas State Senator Roy C. "Bill" Lewellen, Jr. of Marianna passed away on March 21, 2023, at age 71; he was the second Black person to serve in the Arkansas Senate in the 20th century and represented eastern Arkansas from 1991 through 2000.

Senator Lewellen sponsored historic legislation creating the Arkansas Minority Health Commission and the Arkansas Civil Rights Act of 1993, and served on multiple Senate committees including Insurance and Commerce, Judiciary, and as Senate co-chair of the Joint Legislative Facilities Committee.

As a founding member and chair of the Arkansas Legislative Black Caucus, he led efforts to challenge state retirement funds to invest with minority money managers and firms, and advocated for companies lobbying the legislature to hire African American lobbyists.

In 1992, Lewellen served as attorney for Lake View School District in litigation that resulted in the state Supreme Court ruling that Arkansas has a constitutional duty to provide all children with adequate and equitable education regardless of regional prosperity.

The House of Representatives remembers Senator Lewellen and recognizes his commitment to hard work, service to Arkansas and his community; a copy of the resolution will be provided to his family.