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SCR 6

US Army Major Jerome Lee Workman Memorial Bridge

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Vince Deeds and 1 co-sponsor

A non-binding Michigan concurrent resolution memorializes Virgil Clark Smith, honors his public service and leadership, and conveys condolences to his family.

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Bill Summary · SCR 6

Summary — SCR 6 (Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 6): Memorial Tribute to Virgil Clark Smith

Status: Referred to Secretary for Record (Introduced December 17, 2024; adopted by Senate October 22, 2025)
Primary sponsors: Senators Brinks and Nesbitt (Senate authors)

Purpose and intent

SCR 6 is a non‑binding concurrent resolution offering a formal legislative tribute and memorial in honor of the late Virgil Clark Smith, a long‑time Michigan public servant. The resolution recognizes his public career, leadership, civic service, and contributions to the state and to Detroit-area communities, and directs that copies of the resolution be transmitted to his family.

Key provisions

  • Officially records and publicly honors the life and career of Virgil Clark Smith.
  • Summarizes his education, public‑service roles, legislative leadership, judicial service, community involvement, and awards.
  • Expresses condolences to his surviving family.
  • Directs that copies of the resolution be transmitted to the Smith family as evidence of the Legislature’s esteem.

No statutory or regulatory changes are proposed — this is a commemorative, symbolic action.

Background / biography (as recited in the resolution)

  • Detroit native; Pershing High School graduate (1965); B.A. in political science from Michigan State University; J.D. from Wayne State University Law School.
  • Early legal work included Wayne County Legal Services and senior assistant corporation counsel for the City of Detroit.
  • Elected to the Michigan House of Representatives (served 1977–1988; represented the 10th District); held committee chair and leadership roles (Majority Floor Whip, Assistant Majority Floor Leader).
  • Elected to the Michigan Senate in 1988 (served 1988–2000), represented areas including East Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck; served as Senate Democratic Floor Leader (1995–2000) — the first African American to hold that position.
  • After legislative service, he worked in the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office and was appointed judge of the Wayne County Circuit Court in 2004; served as chief judge 2009–2014 (first African American in that role); retired in 2018.
  • Noted civic involvement (task forces, community organizations, bar associations) and personal interests; survived by his wife Elizabeth, four children, and two grandchildren.

Who is affected / impact

  • Direct effect: purely symbolic — it honors the memory of Virgil Clark Smith and communicates the Legislature’s condolences to his family.
  • Indirect effect: recognizes and documents his public record for historical and archival purposes; may be used by constituents, researchers, and civic groups as an official statement of the Legislature’s appreciation.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • Introduced December 17, 2024.
  • Recorded as adopted by the Senate (As Adopted by Senate: October 22, 2025) in the provided documents.
  • As a concurrent resolution, it requires adoption by both chambers; the resolution directs administrative transmission of copies to the family and is entered into legislative records.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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