[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 168 (Wednesday, November 19, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO MOTHER ESSIE BAXTER JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Mother Essie Baxter 
Jones, for her 100th birthday celebration.
  Mother Essie Baxter Jones was born the third of nine children on 
March 23, 1903 in Kilgore, Texas, Gregg County, Route 1. In 1903, Route 
1 was simply a horse and buggy trail; today, it is a superhighway, 
Highway 1252. Growing up, she worked on a farm where she learned about 
growing cotton, corn, peanuts, white potatoes, sweet potatoes and 
watermelons, and also helped her father build churches throughout the 
community.
  Later on, she operated a successful family store and cafe for those 
who came to work in the oil fields in Kilgore and afterward built her 
own cafe in Odessa, Texas. She also worked in the defense industry 
sewing tents and cooking for the soldiers in Waco, Texas.
  Having moved here in 1963, Mother Essie Baxter Jones has been a 
resident of San Jose, California for 40 years and, throughout that 
time, she has been actively involved in the community, including her 
work in the Prayer Garden Church of God in Christ and Templo Juan 3:16 
in San Jose, California.
  Her ``secrets'' for lifelong happiness are: ``Honor, obey and respect 
your mother and father; trust in the Lord and obey His Word; deal 
fairly with everyone; and save some of the money that you earn.''
  I want to thank Mother Essie Baxter Jones for her many years of 
service to our community and congratulate her on this milestone 
birthday, her 100th. Much has changed for the better during her 
lifetime and she contributed to the positive changes. May God bless her 
with years of happiness and service.




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