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[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 118 (Friday, August 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1402-E1403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                      TRIBUTE TO MERCERDESE CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. On behalf of the constituents of the Third 
Congressional District of Florida, I rise now to offer heartfelt 
condolences and pay tribute to the life of an extraordinary 
accomplished woman, Mrs. Mercerdese Clark, a humanitarian, healer, life 
activist, and friend.
  We are moved and encouraged when recalling the life achievements and 
service of Mrs. Clark as a nurse, community leader, and social 
activist. She has been an advocate for social service, health awareness 
and a role model and mentor to youth and entrepreneurs in the Central 
Florida community for many years. An Orlando native who received her 
Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from Hampton University in Virginia, Mrs. 
Clark served as a nurse at Orange Memorial Hospital and Winter Park 
Memorial Hospital. Shortly after, she became the first African-American 
female to be the Director of the Orange County Health Department in 
Orlando, Florida. At the time of her retirement, she worked as a 
Nursing Care Coordinator at Orlando Veteran Administration Outpatient 
Clinic.
  As a community activist, she gave of herself and her talents to 
benefit both the individuals and the many organizations she served. 
Mrs. Clark became chairwoman of the Parramore Heritage Renovation 
project which was responsible for assessing the needs and defining 
solutions for existing conditions within this historic neighborhood. 
She worked tirelessly to maintain the goal of the agency to preserve, 
develop and improve the economics of the area; improve the educational 
level of the residents; and preserve the cultural heritage of the 
community. She took special pride in the area because she had close 
ties to the community having grown up there as well as her own personal 
and historical connection her family had to the neighborhood. Mrs. 
Clark's parents, Leroy E. Richardson and Rosa James Richardson, her 
paternal grandmother, Adeline Richardson, and other family members were 
among Orlando's earliest residents in Central Florida. Mrs. Clark could 
recall the early days of the founding Orlando community where needs of 
families were often provided from the surplus of another. It was those 
memories that inspired and motivated her to become president of the 
Parramore Heritage Foundation, president of the Carter Street 
Neighborhood Association, and Board Director for the Orlando 
Neighborhood Improvement Corporation. She also became a business owner 
in the area to contribute to the economic development of the vicinity 
by opening a women's boutique, Clarks' Ladies Fashion. Mrs. Clark had a 
very successful career and received numerous awards through her 
continuous involvement of various community, social and civic groups in 
Central Florida including the Orlando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma 
Theta Sorority, Incorporated where she was recognized for 15 years of 
outstanding service and commitment.
  A virtuous woman and mother of two, we embrace her children and her 
family. She was a loving and caring mother who nurtured not only her 
children, but the community. We honor Mrs. Clark for the many 
contributions and the impact she had on the lives of many. She was 
truly an invaluable member of our community and an outstanding servant. 
The life of Mercerdese Clark was one of accomplishment, excellence and 
service. In her passing, we pay tribute to a consummate professional 
woman for her life of service and we pray that by her example each of 
us become the bearers of her spirit and humanitarian legacy of passion 
for service and excellence. We come now to join in prayer for, son, 
Kenneth Clark and daughter Kim G. Clark and a host of loving relatives, 
Sorority Sisters, and friends whose lives have been forever changed by 
this woman of God. We thank Our Heavenly Father for allowing us to be 
blessed with the time spent with Mrs. Mercerdese Clark.

[[Page E1403]]

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