Governor McMath was a man dedicated to public service. Born in 1912, just outside of Magnolia, Arkansas, in Columbia County, Governor McMath knew he wanted to do great things from an early age. His life of service began in school with student council positions, which led him to be an organizer and the second president of Young Democrats of Arkansas from 1946 to 1947. In 1947, Governor McMath was elected as prosecuting attorney for Garland and Montgomery counties. 

Elected as our State's 34th Governor, Governor McMath worked from 1949 to 1953 to improve Arkansas. His leadership left us with an enhanced public education system, a new teaching hospital, improved welfare-assistance programs for elderly Arkansans, dams, and new highways and roads. During a time when African Americans struggled for civil rights, Governor McMath ensured equal facilities and educational opportunities for African Americans in Arkansas.  He provided Arkansas' only historically black college, AM & N, now the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, with sufficient resources to become accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. 

After serving two terms as Governor, Governor McMath built an impressive law practice as one of the State's leading attorneys. For more than five decades, Governor McMath became known as the ``people's lawyer,'' continuing to fight for the causes so important to him and to the people of our great state. 

His service went far beyond civilian life, Governor McMath also served in the United States Marine Corps in World War II. He served our Nation eagerly and rose to the rank of Major General before he retired. 

Arkansas will be forever grateful that such a visionary leader came along, at the time he did, to lead us into a new era. Those who had the honor to know Governor McMath would describe him as a great orator and one of the most intelligent and genuine people they had ever met; he was truly an asset to our State. 

While Governor Sid McMath may no longer be with us, his spirit and his legacy live on by the way he improved the quality of life for all Arkansans. I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife, Betty Dorth Russell McMath, sons Phillip, Sandy and Bruce; and daughters Patricia and Melissa, and all of his family and friends.