Arnett Elysus Girardeau Sr. (July 15, 1929 – October 26, 2017) was an American dentist and politician in the state of Florida. He served in the Florida House of Representatives for the 16th district from 1976 to 1982 and in the Florida Senate for the 7th district from 1982 to 1992.
Arnett E. Girardeau | |
|---|---|
 Girardeau in 1988 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 16th distrist | |
| In office 1976–1982 | |
| Member of the Florida Senate from the 7th district | |
| In office 1983–1992 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Arnett Elysus Girardeau July 15, 1929 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | October 26, 2017 (aged 88) Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Howard University |
Early life edit
Girardeau was born on July 15, 1929, in Jacksonville, Florida.[1] His great-uncle was Richard L. Brown, a member of the Florida Legislature during Reconstruction.[2] He graduated from Howard University, where he earned a bachelors of science degree in 1952 and a D.D.S. degree in 1962; he also attended graduate school at Wayne State University and Fisk University. He married Matilda Carolyn Lee and the couple had two children: Arnetta and Arnett Elysus Jr.[1]
Political career edit
The first African-American elected outside of Miami since Reconstruction, Girardueau served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1976 to 1983.[3] In 1982, he was elected to the Florida Senate for the 7th district and he served until 1992. He was president pro tempore of the senate in the later years of his term.[1][4]
Death edit
Girardeau died on October 26, 2017, at the age of 88.[5]
References edit
- ^ a b c "The Florida Senate 1929-1989-Biographical Sketch of Arnett Girardeau, pg. 3". Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-21. Retrieved 2014-11-22.
- ^ Kaczor, Bill (April 17, 1983). "Everything you always wanted to know about lawmakers..." Tallahassee Democrat. p. 29. Retrieved August 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Ward, Robert L. / Florida House of Representatives (2011). "Membership of the Florida House of Representatives by County, 1845-2012" (PDF). Retrieved December 11, 2011.
- ^ "Florida Senators". uflib.ufl.edu. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
- ^ Former State Sen. Arnett Girardeau dies at 88