[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 111 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1712-E1713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF MYLDRED JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LORETTA SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 2, 1999

  Ms. SANCHEZ. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Myldred Jones, an 
Orange County resident, and a great humanitarian, on this her ninetieth 
birthday.
  Myldred moved to California from Pennsylvania with her family when 
she was four years old. Growing up during the Depression, the Jones 
family experienced the poverty that affected millions of Americans. 
Even so, Myldred's parents, who were also her greatest mentors, would 
share whatever food they had with other people. Although the Jones' 
family was also poor, they seemed to always have enough to give to 
others.

[[Page E1713]]

  Early on, Myldred learned the lessons of humanitarianism, of 
unconditional love, and of providing and caring for others. These gifts 
were to become the very essence of her life.
  Myldred began her career as a high school teacher and, later, became 
a juvenile probation officer. During World War II, she was one of the 
first eight WAVES from California. Her military career included duty as 
a Special Assistant to Commandant 14th Naval District, Assistant 
Director of the Department of Welfare, and a faculty member on 
international relations for the Armed Forces Graduate School. She was 
also the Naval Liaison Officer for both the United Nations and the 
National Red Cross. When she retired in 1959, she was the director of 
Social Services of the Navy Relief Society.
  After her retirement, Myldred became active in the Civil Rights 
Movement and marched with Martin Luther King from Selma, Alabama, to 
Montgomery, Alabama. In 1969, she joined Cesar Chavez on his marches 
for the United Farm Workers. Her work in the Watts district of Los 
Angeles, California, earned her recognition from Governor Ronald 
Reagan, who employed her as a consultant on youth affairs.
  Recognizing the need that many young people had for assistance with 
different problems, Myldred developed the first ``hotline'' for 
troubled teenagers. Many of the teenagers were runaways or 
``throwaways'' whose parents had either forced them to leave their 
homes, or whose parents had left them. With no place to go, the 
teenagers were in a desperate situation.
  Myldred's deep compassion to help these teenagers, led her to sell 
her home and purchase another home which could house runaway children 
on a temporary basis. Out of this need was born the Casa Youth Shelter 
which has since its inception in 1978, has assisted thousands of ``lost 
youth'' find their way back home and into the mainstream of society.
  The philosophy behind Myldred's home for teenagers comes from a 
belief that all of the children can turn their lives into a success if 
they have the love and attention which had been denied to them all of 
their lives.
  Housing twelve youths at a time for a period of two weeks, Casa Youth 
Shelter, has become a safe haven for many youth whose lives were on the 
line. To this day, Myldred meets each of the youth and talks with them. 
Myldred is regarded by many as ``our own Mother Teresa'' for her life 
has been dedicated to taking care of others who are in need. She is an 
angel amongst us.
  Colleagues, please join me today in wishing Myldred Jones a very 
happy birthday and also in congratulating her on her life which has 
been lived to the fullest.

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