Morris Hood Jr.

Morris Hood Jr. (June 5, 1934 – October 7, 1998) was a Democratic member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing part of Detroit from 1971 until his death in 1998.[1]

Morris Hood Jr.
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
In office
January 1, 1971 – October 7, 1998
Preceded byGeorge F. Montgomery Jr.
Succeeded byIrma Clark-Coleman
Constituency21st district (1971–1972)
6th district (1973–1992)
11th district (1993–1998)
Personal details
Born(1934-06-05)June 5, 1934
Detroit, Michigan, US
DiedOctober 7, 1998(1998-10-07) (aged 64)
Detroit, Michigan, US
Political partyDemocratic
ChildrenMorris Hood III (son)
RelativesRaymond W. Hood (brother)
Alma materWayne State University
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1954–1956

Early life

Born in Detroit in 1934, Hood served in the United States Army and attended Wayne State University.

Career

In 1970, he was elected to the House, and was re-elected 14 times. (His last term was the last he could have served under Michigan's term limits.) While in the House, Hood chaired the Appropriations Committee.[2]

Hood served as a delegate to four Democratic National Conventions.

Hood was a forceful champion of education for the underserved as well as for mental health services. His tenacity and consistent views made him a very effective legislator. The decision that he would lay in state in the Capitol at his death was testimony to the esteem of his legislative colleagues.

He was the primary founder of the King-Chavez-Parks Initiative scholarship program.[3][4]

Personal life

Hood died of a heart attack on October 7, 1998. His body lay in state in the Capitol rotunda, the first legislator to receive the honor.[5]

Hood's brother Raymond W. Hood, and his son Morris Hood III, also both served in the Michigan Legislature.

References
  1. The Political Graveyard: Hood, Morris, Jr.
  2. 1997–1998 Michigan Manual: Morris Hood, Jr.
  3. House Resolution 384 (1998): A resolution offered as a memorial for Representative Morris Hood, Jr.
  4. 144 Cong. Rec. 151 (1998): Tribute to State Representative Morris Hood, Jr.
  5. Gongwer News Service (Oct. 8, 1998): Capitol Stunned by Death of Morris Hood
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