[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E246]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN MEMORY OF CLARENCE MARVIN BLACKMAN, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 28, 2001

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the life of Clarence Marvin 
Blackman, Sr. of Benson, North Carolina, who died December 20, 2000. In 
his passing, Benson lost one of its most outstanding citizens and a man 
who was instrumental in growing the town to its present state. He was 
the kind of citizen who had the best interest of his community in mind 
before he made any decision.
  As one of his friends put it, ``If anything good happened in Benson, 
it was a safe bet that C.M. Blackman would be one of the people behind 
it.''
  Born in Johnston County, Blackman was the son of the late Frank and 
Callie Altman Blackman. He came to Benson in 1934 to open a farm supply 
and grocery store with Alton Massengill. He later bought out his 
partner and in subsequent years added an insurance agency to the 
business he already owned. In 1950, Blackman and four other Benson men 
founded the Benson Livestock Market, putting a market in easy reach of 
the hundreds of farmers in Harnett and Johnston counties.
  A man of great energy and widespread interests, Blackman served as a 
town commissioner for 29 years and was mayor from 1955 to 1959. He was 
named Citizen of the Year in 1962 and was a charter member of the 
Benson Lions and the Benson Businessman's Club, which later became the 
Benson Area Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Benson 
Junior Order.
  After being appointed to the Board of Directors of the Benson Annual 
Sing in the early 1940's, Blackman served as assistant manager. He also 
served as announcer for the competitions.
  Blackman loved his family and friends and business associates. He 
hosted a Christmas breakfast for them every year for 31 years. In 1999, 
the breakfast was named in his honor as the Annual C.M. Blackman 
Christmas Breakfast.
  Blackman's survivors include his wife, Pernella Massengill Blackman; 
a daughter, Jackie B. Smith of Fayetteville; two sons, C.M. Blackman, 
Jr., of Raleigh and Danny Blackman of Dunn; six grandchildren and eight 
great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, C.M. Blackman, Sr. used every minute of his long and 
productive life to make the world a better place. He was a respected 
and successful businessman, a dedicated public servant, and a great 
North Carolinian. It is fitting that we honor him and his family today.

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