By AFRO Staff
Former State delegate and civil rights giant Rev. Emmett C. Burns Jr. passed away on March 17 in Lochearn, Md. after a fall that led to complications and ultimately, his passing.
The Jackson, Miss., native was 81 years old.
Born Aug. 26, 1940, to Emmett and Clara Burns, a minister and a school-teaching seamstress, the delegate was the second eldest of four boys. His upbringing laid the foundation for a lifetime of service to Black people, Marylanders and Americans at large.
Burns wore many hats during his 20-year tenure as a member of the Maryland General Assembly. In 2000, Burns was both chair of the Ethics Committee and vice-chair of the Civil Rights Committee for the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. In 2003, Burns served as the Deputy Majority Whip of the Democratic Party.
Burns earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State University in 1968 he graduated from the once segregated high school, Jim Hill High School in 1958. Between 1968 and 1969, he obtained a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University and a Master of Religion degree from Presbyterian School of Christian Education. In 1974, Burns obtained a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh.
From 1975 through 1978, Burns served in the U.S. Air Force.
In 2005, he sponsored a bill that changed the name of Maryland’s major airport. Since that time, the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport has honored the Supreme Court justice, while serving millions of patrons each year.
In a heartfelt tweet, Baltimore County Councilman Julian E. Jones Jr. stated, “It is with a heavy heart that I share Delegate Dr. Emmett C. Burns, Jr. departed this life to receive his heavenly reward, Dr. Burns tirelessly served Rising Sun and the greater Baltimore community for over 43 years.”
His funeral was held on March 26 at the Rising Sun First Baptist Church in Baltimore, Md. where he served as pastor emeritus for 20 years. On March 24, in honor of Burns’ death, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan ordered the state flag to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
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