[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E312] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
Date: 2023-04-17
Chamber: EXTENSIONS
Mr. BISHOP : I rise today to honor a loving husband, dedicated father, doting grandfather, seasoned executive, benevolent public servant and dear family friend of long standing to my wife, Vivian, and me--Charles Edward Clark, Sr. Sadly, Charles transitioned from this life on March 27, 2023. On April 17, 2023, a memorial service celebrating his remarkable life was held at 11:00 a.m. in Columbus, Georgia at St. Luke United Methodist Church. Charles Clark was born in Vienna, Georgia on August 26, 1939, to the union of Elbert and Elzada Clark. The oldest son of 11 children, his early education was in the Dooly County, Georgia School System. He went on to matriculate at Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) in Atlanta where he became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and earned a B.A. Degree in Business Administration in 1962. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era, rising to the rank of Corporal before receiving his Honorable Discharge. Charles returned to Atlanta and went to work at the Urban League, beginning what would become a long and extraordinary career in government and community service. At the Urban League, he met the love of his life, Lillian ``Bunky'' McClung, daughter of former Columbus Mayor Pro Tem, A.J. and Mrs. Helen McClung. They were married in 1966 and to this blessed union were born two children: Charles ``Chuck'' Clark, Jr. and Candace Clark (Trinchieri). Charles believed in education and demanded excellence from himself at every stage of his professional career. Hence, while working full time at the Urban League, he earned his law degree from the Woodrow Wilson College of Law in Atlanta in 1971. He began federal executive employment at the Office of Economic Opportunity regional office in Atlanta, moved to the Social Security Administration, then went on to earn a Master's Degree in Public Administration in 1973 from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. He then returned to Atlanta to be Regional Director for Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) and simultaneously earned a Master's in Organizational Psychology and Administration in 1976 from West Georgia College in Carrolton, Georgia. Also in 1976, when his wife, Bunky, went to Washington, D.C. as part of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Transition Team, Charles became Special Assistant to Veterans Affairs Administrator and future U.S. Senator Max Cleland. He served in several positions in the VA, to include: Assistant Administrator, Office of Personnel and Labor Relations; Assistant for the Office of Human Goals; and Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief Medical Director. Charles later served as Associate Medical Director at VA Medical Centers in Reno, Nevada, San Francisco and Palo Alto, California. Because of his exceptional service, Charles received The Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award from the Department in 1995. Upon retirement from the VA, Charles and Bunky moved back to Bunky's hometown of Columbus, Georgia where he served as Senior Vice President of Columbus Regional Healthcare System, Vice President of Columbus Regional Medical Foundation and Executive Director of Junior Achievement. In addition, Charles was active in community service, volunteering his time in several charitable organizations and was an active member of Saint Luke United Methodist Church. In 2015, Charles was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. He used this challenge as an opportunity, becoming a staunch supporter of the Alzheimer's Association of Columbus and he led ``The Annual Walk to End Alzheimer's'' before moving to Sherman Oaks, California to live with his daughter, Candace, and her family. It has been said that: ``Service is the rent we pay for the space we 'occupy on this earth''. Charles Clark paid his rent and paid it well. He gave his time, talents and treasure to so many social and civic organizations. George Washington Carver once said: ``How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because some day you will have been all of these''. Charles Clark lived those words. On a personal note, Charles was my friend. He was my supporter. He even served as my extraordinary campaign manager in 2008. He accomplished so much in his life. But, none of this would have been possible without the grace of God and the love and support of his wife of 57 years, Bunky; his children, Chuck and Candace; and a host of friends and family who will miss him dearly. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join my wife, Vivian, and me, along with the more than 765,000 people of the 2nd Congressional District of Georgia in honoring the life and legacy of Mr. Charles Edward Clark, Sr. and in extending our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all who mourn his loss. We pray that they will be consoled and comforted by an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks, and months ahead.