[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 82 (Thursday, June 6, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1014]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO MRS. THELMA SCOTT NEWMAN

                                 ______


                           HON. FRANK TEJEDA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 1996

  Mr. TEJEDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of 
Mrs. Thelma Scott Newman, who served our country and her community in 
ways too numerous to mention. Mrs. Newman passed into eternal rest on 
May 18, 1996, but she certainly will not be forgotten, neither by her 
family nor by the many whose lives she touched and enriched with her 
spirit and wisdom.
  Mrs. Newman was born in rural Gonzales, TX, the first child of the 
late Jordan D. and Elizah Jones. I cannot mention Mrs. Newman's early 
life without remarking on the great obstacles that she and her fellow 
African-Americans faced and the struggles they undertook to overcome 
those barriers. But Mrs. Newman rose above obstacles and struggles and 
grew into a kind and loving woman who gave devotedly to her family, her 
country, and the community.
  Mrs. Newman married Joseph A Scott, Sr., and their union was blessed 
with a son, Mr. Joseph A. Scott, Jr. Additionally, she was blessed with 
two grandsons and two granddaughters, seven great-grandchildren, many 
nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. She was 
extremely proud of her family, and her love for them is evident today 
in their many achievements and successes.
  Mrs. Newman was the kind of person whose strong faith and love of her 
fellow man urged her to go above and beyond the call of duty in giving 
back to the community. She became a nurse and in that capacity she 
worked for the Federal Government for 43 years and took up the cause of 
healing the sick and comforting the afflicted. And she had a special 
gift for communicating with young people. She always had the time to 
listen to them and give them her encouragement to work hard and 
succeed. Her ability, her faith, and her gifts are measured today in 
the lives of many young people who spoke to her, listened to her, and 
went on to achieve great things.
  Even her years of rest and retirement, Mrs. Scott always had time for 
what was most important to her: Her family, her church, and her 
community, especially the young people. She worshipped and shared 
fellowship with the minister and congregation of New Light Baptist 
Church. She was a leader in the deaconess board of the church and a 
past president of the tithing department of the Eastern District 
Association. She gave her time and her love to the ideal neighborhood 
guild, the Greater San Antonio workshop, the United Home Owners' 
Improvement Association, the T.E.L. Guild, and the Mother's Service 
Organization. In recognition of all that she did for her community, the 
Thelma Newman Circle was named in her honor.
  It was my great privilege to know Mrs. Newman personally. I can say 
without hesitation and with all my heart that Mrs. Newman was a source 
of inspiration and light to all who knew her. Her faith and her courage 
were very great, and she always looked for ways to uplift the 
downtrodden and lead the community. She will be missed by all those who 
knew her, but her example will live on in our hearts as a great 
American who stood as a strong and powerful voice for faith and pride 
and the values of the community.

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