[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 174 (Monday, October 4, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S6891]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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            REMEMBERING JUSTICE CORNELIA A. ``CONNIE'' CLARK

 Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. President, it is with a heavy heart that I 
take these next few moments to honor the life and legacy of and my 
personal friendship with Justice Cornelia A. ``Connie'' Clark. We lost 
Connie last month to a short battle with cancer.
  Justice Clark was a trailblazer in the Tennessee judiciary. Her 
public service spanned more than four decades and culminated in a long 
and happy tenure on the Tennessee Supreme Court, where she served as 
chief justice from 2010-2012. In the days since we lost Connie, her 
friends on the bench have shared fond memories of a woman who was 
cheerful, humble, diligent, and strong in her faith, and who approached 
her role as a jurist with grace and equanimity.
  Over the course of her distinguished career, Justice Clark 
prioritized ensuring access to justice. As a result of her 
compassionate advocacy, the once-cluttered path to the courthouse is 
clear for the thousands of men and women who climb its steps each year. 
She was an early and fierce advocate for women in the legal profession, 
throwing open doors for her peers and serving as a powerful role model 
for young women and girls. In 2005, she helped usher in a new era for 
the bench when she became the fourth woman to serve on the Tennessee 
Supreme Court. Since 2008, the Court has boasted a female-majority 
bench.
  On behalf of the entire Tennessee congressional delegation, I offer 
prayers and condolences to Connie's family and friends.
  Rest in peace, Connie, and thank you for dedicating your life to the 
relentless pursuit of justice for all Tennesseans.

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