MI SCR0006

Honors the memory of Virgil Clark Smith, who served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1977 to 1988 representing the Tenth District and in the Michigan Senate from 1988 to 2000 representing the Second District

Recognizes Smith as a trailblazer who became the first African American Senate Democratic Floor Leader (1995-2000) and later the first African American chief judge of Wayne County Circuit Court (2009-2014)

Acknowledges his legislative career spanning committee leadership roles including chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Energy, Majority Floor Whip (1979-1982), and Assistant Majority Floor Leader (1983-1988)

Notes his post-legislative service in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office and appointment as Wayne County Circuit Court judge by Governor Jennifer Granholm in 2004, serving until retirement in 2018

Directs copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Smith family as a tribute to his legacy of public service