[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 166 (Tuesday, October 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN MEMORY OF EARL CLEMONS, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. MIKE ROSS

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2007

  Mr. ROSS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Earl 
Clemons, Jr., formerly of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, who passed away October 
20, 2007, at the age of 83.
  Earl Clemons, Jr., dedicated his life to his family, his community 
and his country. He was born in the small Delta town of Tamo, in 
Jefferson County, and his deep affection for the Delta region can be 
measured by the enormous contributions he made to the agriculture 
community of Arkansas, something he dedicated his passions and energies 
to throughout his long life. It can always be said he lived life to the 
fullest and impressed upon each person he met the value of giving back, 
something that was evident in his numerous leadership roles he held in 
life.
  Upon graduation from Grady High School, Earl Clemons, Jr., served his 
country in the 103rd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. After his 
service, he returned home and earned a degree in agricultural 
engineering from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He took 
his enthusiasm for agriculture back to his hometown of Tamo where he 
refined his craft on the family farm. Over the years, he gave 
everything he had to agriculture and to the Delta region. His famous 
``Farm Tour'' was a detailed history of agriculture in the Delta that 
included visits to a local cotton gin, cotton oil mill and river port 
where grain was loaded.
  In addition to his work in the field of agriculture, Earl Clemons, 
Jr., was also a man of devout faith. He was a member of St. Joseph 
Catholic Church in Pine Bluff. His belief in the importance of 
community led him to serve in many civic organizations such as the 
Grider Field Airport Commission and the local Board of Directors of 
Simmons First National Bank in Pine Bluff.
  I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Bennye Jane Haskins 
Clemmons; his two sons, Earl ``Skip'' Clemons III of Little Rock and 
Neil Clemons of Chicago, Illinois; his two daughters Jane Clemons of 
San Francisco, California and Rose Clemmons Gladner of Little Rock; and 
to his six grandchildren and numerous friends. Earl Clemons, Jr., will 
be greatly missed in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, the agriculture 
community and throughout the state of Arkansas, and I am truly saddened 
by this loss.

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