Legislator Details
Virgil Clark Smith Jr.
AKA:
Number of sessions served 13
Gender: Male
Age at election: 29
Vital Records Information:
Birth
Date: 7/4/1947
City: Detroit, MI
County: Wayne County, MI
Country: US
Death
Date:
City:
County:
Country:
Type of Burial:
Burial
Date:
City:
County:
Country:
Cemetery:
Marital Information:
married Elizabeth, 1/1/1971; children: Virgil K.
Number of Children: 3
Background
Religion: African Methodist Episcopal
Military Service:
Occupation: lawyer
Race: African American or Negro or Black
Education:
Pershing High School, 1965
BA in political sci., Michigan State University, 1969
JD, Wayne State University, 1972
Biographical Sketch:
Son of Virgil Columbus & Eliza (Boyer) Smith. Legal advisor various community groups, Detroit, 1972-73; supervising attorney Wayne County Legal Services, 1973-74; Assistant Corporation Counsel, City of Detroit Law Department, 1974-75. Member National Caucus Black State Legislators, National Caucus of State Legistlators, Michigan Legis. Black Caucus (2d chair 1991-92). Legal Advisor to Wayne County Legal Services serving Equal Justice Council, Art Center Citizens Council, Forest Park Development Project. Senior; Legislator of the Year, Michigan Judges Assoc. and Police Officers Assoc. of Michigan, 1996.
Notable Facts:
1st African American Senate floor leader.
Father of Sen. Virgil K. Smith.
Sessions Served:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Banking and Financial Institutions , Gaming and Casino Oversight , Government Operations , Judiciary , Legislative Council , Reapportionment
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 2
District Description: Cities of Highland Park, Hamtramck and part of the city of Detroit [see map in Manual p.173] in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/3/1998
Date Sworn In: 1/13/1999
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Minority Vice-Chair: Gaming and Casino Oversight; Government Operations.
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On:
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 2
District Description: Cities of Highland Park and Hamtramck and part of the city of Detroit [see map in 1999 Manual p.169] in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/3/1998
Date Sworn In: 1/13/1999
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: Resigned
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Resigned December 31, 2000 to take a position in the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office.
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Families, Mental Health and Human Services, Gaming and Casino Oversight , Judiciary
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 2
District Description: Cities of Highland Park, Hamtramck and part of the city of Detroit [see map in Manual p.170] in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/8/1994
Date Sworn In: 1/11/1995
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Appropriations , Appropriations Subcommittee on Capital Outlay, Appropriations Subcommittee on Regulatory, Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Highland Park
County of Residence Wayne
District: 2
District Description: Cities of Highland Park, Hamtramck and part of the city of Detroit [see map in Manual p.170] in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/8/1994
Date Sworn In: 1/11/1995
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Family Law, Criminal Law and Corrections, Finance , Judiciary , Reapportionment
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 2
District Description:
Date Elected: 11/6/1990
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1991
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status:
Maritial Status: Married
Notes:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Finance , Judiciary , Reapportionment, School Finance Reform
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 2
District Description: Cities Hamtramck, Highland Park and Detroit pt.-tracts 5045-5048, 50661-5075, 5101-5110, 5135-5157, 5161-5169, 5184-5187 in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/6/1990
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1991
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:
Chamber: Senate
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Finance , Local Government and Veterans
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 2
District Description: Cities Hamtramck, Highland Park and Detroit pt.-tracts 5045-5048, 50661-5075, 5101-5110, 5135-5157, 5161-5169, 5184-5187 (that part of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at Chrysler Fwy & 8 Mile to VanDyke, south to McNichols, east to Conner, south to Jefferson, west to Clairpointe, south to Avondale, east to Port Dr., south on Port Dr. and Port Dr. extended to Detroit River, west on Detroit River to Riopelle, north to Atwater, west to Rivard, north to Jefferson, east to CN Railroad, north to Gratiot, northeast to Chene, north to Ford Fwy, east to E. Grand Blvd, north & west to Jos.Campau, north to Hamtramck & Detroit City limits, east north and west along city limits to Highland Park & Detroit City limits, north along city limits to McNichols, east to Chrysler Fwy to 8 Mile the point of beginning)
Date Elected: 3/15/1988
Date Sworn In: 3/22/1988
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Min. Vice-Chair of the Committee on Finance
Elected to replace Basil Brown, who had resigned 1/4/1988
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Economic Development & Energy , Elections , Judiciary , Taxation
Postions Held: Assistant Majority Floor Leader
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 10
District Description: City Detroit pt. -- tracts 5064-5066, 5098-5080, 5381-5383 (That portion of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at Livernois and the Northern city limits (8 Mile), east along city limits (8 Mile) to Eureka, south to E. Outer Drive, east to Mt. Elliott, south to McNichols, west to Fairway Dr., north to 7 Mile, west to Livernois, north on Livernois to city limits the point of beginning)in Wayne County.
Date Elected: 11/4/1986
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1987
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: Resigned
End of Term Status: Departed
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Elected to Michigan Senate March 15, 1988; resigned from house March 22, 1988; succeeded by Ted Wallace November 23, 1988.
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Economic Development & Energy , Judiciary , Labor , Taxation
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 10
District Description: City Detroit pt. -- tracts 5064-5066, 5098-5080, 5381-5383 (That portion of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at Livernois and the Northern city limits (8 Mile), east along city limits (8 Mile) to Eureka, south to E. Outer Drive, east to Mt. Elliott, south to McNichols, west to Fairway Dr., north to 7 Mile, west to Livernois, north on Livernois to city limits the point of beginning)in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/6/1984
Date Sworn In: 1/9/1985
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Chair of the Committee on Economic Development and Energy; Vice-Chair of the Committee on Taxation
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Joint Administrative Rules, Colleges and Universities , Elections , Judiciary , Taxation
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 10
District Description: City Detroit pt. -- tracts 5064-5066, 5098-5080, 5381-5383 (That portion of Detroit which lies within a line beginning at Livernois and the Northern city limits (8 Mile), east along city limits (8 Mile) to Eureka, south to E. Outer Drive, east to Mt. Elliott, south to McNichols, west to Fairway Dr., north to 7 Mile, west to Livernois, north on Livernois to city limits the point of beginning)in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/2/1982
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1983
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Maj. Vice-Chair of the Committees on Judiciary; and Taxation
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Insurance , Elections , Judiciary , Taxation
Postions Held: Majority Floor Whip
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 10
District Description: City of Detroit (tracts 562 [blocks 501-6, 601-3, 701-5], 563, 564 [less blocks 101-4, 106-8, 201-8], 571-2, 601.01 [less block 106], 601.02, 602, 603.01-2, 604-5, 606 [less blocks 501-5, 607-10, 701, 703-5], 613.01-2, 614.01-2, 615.01-2, 616.01[blocks 307-10], 616.02 [blocks 111-2, 201-3, 303-5, 308-12]) in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/4/1980
Date Sworn In: 1/14/1981
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Vice-Chair of the Committee on Taxation
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Corrections , Insurance , Judiciary , Taxation
Postions Held: Majority Floor Whip
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 10
District Description: City of Detroit (tracts 562 [blocks 501-6, 601-3, 701-5], 563, 564 [less blocks 101-4, 106-8, 201-8], 571-2, 601.01 [less block 106], 601.02, 602, 603.01-2, 604-5, 606 [less blocks 501-5, 607-10, 701, 703-5], 613.01-2, 614.01-2, 615.01-2, 616.01[blocks 307-10], 616.02 [blocks 111-2, 201-3, 303-5, 308-12])
Date Elected: 11/7/1978
Date Sworn In: 1/10/1979
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Majority Vice-Chair of the Committee on Taxation
Chamber: House
Party: Democratic
Committees Served On: Corrections , Elections , Insurance , Taxation , Tourist Industry Relations
Postions Held:
City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 10
District Description: City of Detroit tracts 562 (Blocks 501-6, 601-3, 701-5), 563, 564 (Less: Blocks 101-4, 106-8, 201-8),571-2, 601.01 (Less: Block 106), 601.02, 602, 603.01-2, 604-5, 606 (Less: Blocks 501-5, 607-10, 701, 703-5), 613.01-2, 614.01-2. 615.01-2, 616.01 (Blocks 307-10), 616.02 (Blocks 111-2, 201-3, 303-5,308-12) in Wayne County
Date Elected: 11/2/1976
Date Sworn In: 1/12/1977
Date Left Office:
Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Re-elected
Maritial Status: Married
Notes: Majority Vice-Chair of the Committee on Taxation