[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 101 (Friday, July 24, 1998)]
[House]
[Pages H6421-H6422]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO HORACE ELLIS JONES

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Collins) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COLLINS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor an individual, no not a 
Georgian by birth but is the essence of a Georgia gentleman.
  Horace Ellis Jones is the grandfather of one of my legislative staff 
members. Today I pay tribute to Mr. Jones through the eyes of his 
grandson.

[[Page H6422]]

  Born on February 7, 1916, in Spring City, Pennsylvania, to Russell 
and Mary Ellis Jones, Horace Ellis Jones spent his childhood days 
growing up in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
  He was known for his wide grin smile and his charming demeanor. He 
was very active in the Boy Scouts, earning the distinction of an Eagle 
Scout.
  After attending Spring City High School and Stanton Military Academy 
in Virginia, Mr. Jones decided on Duke University and became a true 
Blue Devil. A couple of days before he was to leave for Durham, Mr. 
Ellis dropped by a local cafe just outside of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, 
with friends.
  As he entered, his eyes focused on Olive Hammer. One look at her put 
Ellis Jones in a spin. He immediately put money in the juke box and 
asked Olive to dance. The music has not stopped for 57 years.
  After they were married in 1941, Mr. Jones worked with his father in 
automobile sales in Reading, Pennsylvania. Very soon after their 
marriage, like so many of our distinguished citizens at the time, he 
answered America's call to duty and served in the United States Army 
during World War II.
  Lieutenant Jones was stationed at Newport News, Virginia, as a member 
of the Army Transportation Corps. From there, he returned home to 
Pennsylvania, began his work with his uncle in the family business, the 
Jones Motor Company.
  For almost 30 years, he played an instrumental role in the success of 
the business, one that grew to be among the largest trucking companies 
east of the Mississippi River. Jones Motor boasted 59 terminals, almost 
4,000 employees and more than 3,500 pieces of equipment. This was an 
amazing feat considering it all started with a single horse and wagon 
back in the 1800s.
  Along the path of hard work, Ellis and Olive welcomed a new 
generation of Joneses, their children, Mary Ellis and Donald. In the 
mid-seventies, Jones and his brothers decided to sell the company and 
retire. Retirement lasted a brief 6 months, after which Mr. Jones 
entered the lucrative real estate business and became very active in 
many charitable organizations such as the American Hospital Association 
and the Pottstown Hospital Association.
  During his spare time, he could continue to pursue the major 
nonfamily passion of his life, the game of golf. After picking up the 
first set of clubs at the age of 7, Mr. Jones' devotion to the sport 
culminated with his presidency of the Philadelphia Golf Association in 
the 1960s.
  During that tenure, he worked to provide scholarships and 
opportunities for many hard working young people. He also served on 
countless boards of the United States Golf Association and as a member 
of many country clubs and golf societies throughout the world.
  When he finally decided to slow down from all of this activity, Ellis 
and Ollie relocated to the State of Georgia. They chose the quiet 
coastal beauty of Sea Island, a spot that they had first visited in 
their honeymoon. The environment there was proven to be the ultimate 
spot to pursue new opportunities.
  While preserving their already acquired interests, it also served as 
a meeting place for the entire Jones' family to congregate and forge 
new memories. With all of that said, to really know the tale of Ellis 
Jones is to realize that his greatest accomplishment continues to be 
his capacity as a person.
  Amidst all of the challenges and successes of life, Mr. Jones always 
conducts himself in the highest degree of courtesy, generosity and 
integrity. He is concerned with the happiness and the well-being of 
others at every turn, as a leader, as a businessman, a father, a 
grandfather, a husband or a friend.
  Recently, Mr. Jones has been battling the evils of cancer, a war he 
has been waging for some 7 years. It has been a difficult time for him 
and his loved ones, but through it all he has maintained his positive 
attitude built upon the love of his family.
  Ellis Jones' life is nothing short of remarkable, an American dream 
come true that seems to guide the brush strokes of my Norman Rockwell 
painting. One need only look to his family and friends to see the 
reflection of his charmed life.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to extend my heartfelt best wishes to Mr. 
Jones as he watches today from Georgia, as well as members of the Jones 
family throughout the country.

  In closing, I would like to read a piece Mr. Jones wrote just a few 
weeks ago. I think it is an appropriate testament to the life of this 
great man and is something from which we all can learn, and I quote: I 
have always believed that the game of life, like the game of golf, was 
the last gentleman's game and I have tried to play both as such, a 
gentleman. If I have been successful, it is because of my love from and 
my love for my wonderful wife, our blessed children and grandchildren 
and my many loyal and supportive friends. Looking back over the entire 
course, I can say in all honesty, what a game, what a life, what a 
lucky guy I have been, end of quote.
  Mr. Speaker, our prayers are with Mr. Jones and his family and for 
the blessings all have received from the life of Horace Ellis Jones.

                          ____________________