Jackie Vaughn III (November 17, 1917 – September 13, 2006) was a Democratic member of both houses of the Michigan Legislature for over three decades.[1]

Jackie Vaughn III
Member of the Michigan Senate
In office
January 1, 1979 – December 31, 2002
Preceded byArthur Cartwright
Succeeded bySamuel "Buzz" Thomas
Constituency5th district (1979–1982)
3rd district (1983–1994)
4th district (1995–2002)
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
In office
January 1, 1967 – December 31, 1978
Preceded byMaxcine Young
Succeeded byCarolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick
Constituency23rd district (1967–1972)
18th district (1973–1978)
Personal details
Born(1917-11-17)November 17, 1917
Birmingham, Alabama, U.S.
DiedSeptember 13, 2006(2006-09-13) (aged 88)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Resting placeWoodlawn Cemetery, Detroit
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materOxford University (Litt. B.)
Oberlin College (MA)
Hillsdale College (BA)
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
RankYeoman

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1917, Vaughn moved to Detroit in 1944. He studied at Oberlin and Hillsdale colleges before being a Fulbright Scholar and fellow at Oxford University. Vaughn was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 1966 and served six terms before his election to the Michigan Senate.[2]

One hallmark of his tenure was the establishment of a holiday in Michigan to honor Martin Luther King Jr. He was also known for his devotion to the Hartford Memorial Baptist Church. He was also elected president pro tempore of the Senate in 1983, becoming the first African-American to hold the position, and was later named associate president pro tempore.[1]

Vaughn suffered a stroke in 2000 after checking himself into the hospital in Lansing and was excused from Senate session for the remaining two years of his term. When he left the Senate in 2002, the Senate recognized him as having "'fought the good fight' on behalf of the people of Detroit," and that his "consistent efforts on behalf of young people, his tireless leadership in promoting the work of Dr. Martin Luther King, and his advocacy of programs to help the needy have earned him widespread respect."[3][4]

Vaughn was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, the Elks, and a Freemason. He died on September 13, 2006, aged 88.[5][6][7]

References

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  1. ^ a b 2001-2002 Michigan Manual: State Senator Jackie Vaughn III
  2. ^ Senate Concurrent Resolution 56 (2006): A concurrent resolution of tribute to honor the memory of Jackie Vaughn III, former member of the Senate and the House of Representatives
  3. ^ Senate Resolution 290 (2002): A resolution for the Honorable Jackie Vaughn III
  4. ^ 146 Cong. Rec S7539 (Sen. Levin): Recognition of State Senator Jackie Vaughn III
  5. ^ The Political Graveyard: Vaughn, Jackson III
  6. ^ "Former Sen. Jackie Vaughn, 75, Dies". Gongwer News Service. September 13, 2006. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
  7. ^ Find a Grave: Jackson "Jackie" Vaughn III