1930-2011
By Ken Klein
Legendary outdoor advertising industry champion urul lobbyist
Ven Clark passed away on July I at age 81. He had cancer.
"For decades. "Vern Clark personified the industry on Capitol
Hill and beyond", said Nancy Fletcher, Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) president and CEO. "Vern Clark protected the value of this industry, assured its growth, and taught us
all about the importance of relationships.’'
Three days alter he turned 81 on June 28. Clark died peacefully
at the Eisenhower Center in Palm Desert, LA. with family at his side.
Born in the Depression in 1930 in California, Clark's adult life was devotee to outdoor advertising. Starting at Foster & Kleiser. Eventually he served as president of the OAAA.
"His achievements were many, topped by the 1978 amendments to the Highway Beautification Act (HBA)." said Fletcher. The 1978 amendments clarified in federal law that government pays cash compensation when it removes billboards along federally funded roadways.
Over time. Clark developed close relationships wth political leaders from both parties.
"I don't know anyone who enjoyed working with Congress as much as Vern." recalled David Strauss, former staff director of the Senate's Environment & Public Works Committee. " The relationships he cultivated with literally hundreds of members of Congress made him an effective advocate for the outdoor industry."
Friends with the powerful, Clark also knew the first names of door men. waiters, elevator operators, and Capitol police.
Clark had a sense of humor, and ready supply of jokes. With impish pride. he would recall telling a new joke in the morning on
Capitol Hill and then a senator would tell the same joke to Clark ---
as his own - later the same day.
Despite the passions of billboard debates in Congress. even Clark's
opponents respected him. In 1991. the Senate voted 60-39 to reject anti-billboard legislation offered by Senator John Chafee, R-RI.
After the lopsided, bipartisan vote. Chafee was widely quoted as saying, "Ole Vern Clark earned his pay today."
In 1981, the outdoor industry awarded Clark its highest honor, the Myles Standish Award.
"Vern lived the American Dream," said Rick Murphy, grandson of one-time OAAA Chairman Richard II. Murphy. Sr. of Murphy Outdoor. "His talent was his hard work and his personality. This combination brought him to the halls of Congress where he cemented the founation of the industry."
- Outdoor Advertising Magazine July/August 2011
VERN CLARK 1930 - 2011
Longtime lobbyist Vern Clark passed away on July 1, 2011. He was 81; he had cancer. Clark died peacefully at the Eisenhower Center in Palm Desert, CA, with family at his side. He is survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Elaine; son, Larry; daughters, Deborah and Gayle; his five grandchildren and one great- grandchild. He will be missed by many friends. A Private Service was held.
Published by The Washington Post on Jul. 14, 2011.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/washingtonpost/name/vern-clark-obituary?id=5972971
America Remembers Bob Dole
America remembers Senator Bob Dole as a plain-spoken war hero from Kansas who was respected at home and abroad. Dole, 98, died in his sleep on Sunday, December 5, 2021, announced the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.
The billboard industry remembers — literally —a “thumbs up” from Dole.
In June of 1991, the US Senate voted 60-39 to reject anti-billboard legislation. From the Senate floor, Dole (then Senate Minority Leader) flashed the thumbs up signal to industry leaders seated in the Senate Gallery overlooking the Senate, recalled OAAA’s Nancy Fletcher. She was seated in the Senate Gallery with Dean White of Whiteco and industry lobbyist Vern Clark.
Dole (and a bipartisan majority of the US Senate) voted to support billboards.
Photo Gallery
WHAT FRIENDS SAY?
"Ole Vern earned his pay today."
"Vern lived the American Dream."
oin sit nulla mattis semper."
"Vern Clark personalized the industry, assured it's growth, and taught us all about relationsips."