[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 24, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E954-E955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE AND WORK OF MR. JETTIE PURNELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 24, 2006

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise and ask my colleagues in 
the United States House of Representatives to join me in honoring and 
celebrating the life and work of Mr. Jettie Purnell. One of Halifax 
County's most notable citizens, Mr. Purnell's work in civil rights and 
labor rights has changed forever the lives of the people of the First 
Congressional District and those of people far outside its limits.
  As a young man, Mr. Purnell was thrust into service during World War 
II as a soldier in the U.S. Army. He continued his patriotic service by 
fighting racism at home and playing a key role in the civil rights 
movement. His work continued as he moved aggressively and persistently 
to unionize local textile mills. Mr. Purnell led the fight for justice 
and equal rights, and also led a successful effort to designate a 
section of U.S. Highway 158 as George Thomas Young Drive.

[[Page E955]]

  Mr. Purnell is indeed a pillar of his community. He was a plaintiff 
in the historic voting rights lawsuit in Halifax County that resulted 
in the creation of a district method of election for the Board of 
County Commissioners.
  Mr. Purnell's friends and family say that dispensing advice is his 
second profession. He has often been the chief advisor on matters of 
local importance. His daughter Sonya is insistent that ``when my daddy 
spoke, people listened.'' Mr. Speaker, that is why this past week, Mr. 
Purnell was finally recognized for his tremendous work as a local 
leader. The longtime community activist was honored at a ceremony for 
the new apartment complex recently completed in the Roanoke Rapids area 
of my district. At the dedication ceremony the Olde Town Village 
Apartment Complex Activity Center was named in Mr. Purnell's honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I could not imagine a more fitting facility to bear the 
name of Mr. Purnell than a community activity center in an area where 
he has been so adamantly committed to raising the quality of life.
  I rise both to honor the life and service of Mr. Jettie Purnell and 
to thank him for his many years of service. Mr. Speaker, I rise to 
honor a man that has given to his community without ever asking to be 
recognized. This brief mention is the very least that we can do.

                          ____________________