Former State Senator Girardeau represented Jacksonville in the Florida Senate from 1982-1992, rising to Senate President Pro Tempore from 1988-1990.
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson (D-Florida) announced Girardeau’s death in a news release sent to WJCT News on Thursday. "I was saddened today to learn of the death of former State Senator Arnett E. Girardeau, D.D.S. All Floridians are grateful for his principled leadership and service to our state and our country."
Girardeau also served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1976-1982, according to Sen. Lawson’s office.
“Senator Girardeau’s commitment to serving the people of Jacksonville, and the state of Florida, is unparalleled,” Lawson said.
Sen. Girardeau, was one of the first African-Americans to serve in the Florida Senate since reconstruction, according to Lawson's office.
Girardeau attended Howard University where he earned a D.S.S. degree. He also attended graduate school at Wayne State University and Fisk University, according to Wikipedia.
A visitation will be held at the Ebenezer United Methodist Church from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on November 3, 2017.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Howard University School of Dentistry Scholarship Fund.
Bill Bortzfield can be reached at bbortzfield@wjct.org, 904-358-6349 or on Twitter at @BortzInJax.
