[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 199 (Wednesday, December 21, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1327-E1328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF VETERAN AND TIRELESS TRIAL 
                           LAWYER, JIM CLARK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 21, 2022

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 
life and contributions of James ``Jim'' W. Clark, a veteran and 
tireless trial lawyer of over 50 years, who passed away on July 30, 
2022 at the age of 77.

[[Page E1328]]

  Jim was born in Ocala, Florida and raised by his parents, Maxine and 
Earnest, along with his brother, Earnest Jr. He attended Ocala High 
School and upon graduating in 1962, went to the Gordon Military Academy 
before enrolling at the University of Florida (UF) on a ROTC 
scholarship in 1964. While at UF, Jim met his beloved wife, Velva 
Wells, and they married in 1965. The following year, Jim graduated from 
UF and commenced his military service in the U.S. Army 5th Special 
Forces Group (Green Beret), 101st Airborne. Having served in the 
Vietnam War, Jim led a Special Forces A-Team and played a pivotal role 
in various combat operations with the U.S. Military Assistance Command, 
Vietnam--Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOC). In honor of his 
incredible service, Jim was awarded multiple combat medals and ribbons. 
Following his assignment in Vietnam, Jim moved to Fort Bragg, North 
Carolina with Velva and their daughter, Kimberly.
  Jim's move to Tampa came in 1970 when he enrolled at the Stetson 
College of Law, all while continuing his service with the Army Reserves 
at MacDill Air Force Base. That same year, Jim and Velva welcomed their 
son, Dan.
  Upon his graduation with honors in 1972, Jim commenced his legal 
career with the law firm of Peavyhouse, Giglio, Grant, Opp, Clark & 
Charlton, later known as ``Clark & Martino.'' His son, Dan, later 
joined Jim at the firm in 1999. Jim was known to bring professionalism, 
kindness and even his own famous sayings to the firm. Some of his 
favorite sayings to share as he would head from the office to the 
courthouse were ``Always stand 5 feet away from a qualified Army 
Ranger,'' ``Nobody ever got fired for being early,'' and ``Get the work 
done before you sit on your butt.''
  Having obtained Board Certification in Civil Trial from The Florida 
Bar, Jim worked as a leading preeminent trial lawyer for over 50 years. 
He held various memberships including those with The National Board of 
Trial Advocates and the American Board of Trial Advocates. Over the 
course of his career, Jim received numerous awards including the 
Hillsborough County Bar Association's ``Michael A. Fogarty Memorial `In 
the Trenches' Award,'' and the ``Herbert G. Goldberg Award,'' the bar 
association's highest award given to a trial attorney.
  A loving husband, father and grandfather, Jim was endlessly devoted 
to his family. He is survived by his cherished wife of 57 years, Velva, 
his daughter, Kimberly Yarbrough and her husband, Ted; his son, Dan and 
his wife, Sandra; and his grandchildren, Clark Yarbrough, Kirk Daniel 
Yarbrough, Claudette Yarbrough, Reid Clark, Justin Clark and Wells 
Clark.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of my neighbors in Tampa Bay and the 
citizens of Florida, I am proud to honor Jim Clark for his lifetime of 
service. From his courageous military service to his decades as a trial 
lawyer, Jim was a hardworking, generous and devoted individual. He was 
loved and respected by his family, his colleagues and all who knew him. 
May his soul rest in peace and his legacy live on and inspire others in 
our community for years to come.

                          ____________________