[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 102 (Friday, July 28, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING LEWIS EDWARD JORDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2006

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life 
and work of Lewis Edward Jordan. In a time and place when it was a 
rarity for an African American to operate a business, Lewis broke 
boundaries in the world of business. He used his acquired wealth to 
help lift the community as a whole and to instill the same optimism in 
others that drove him to accomplish so much. He passed away on June 20, 
2006.
  Lewis was born on September 7, 1914 in Oakville, Maryland. Lewis 
faced tremendous adversity as a child and teenager, living in southern 
Maryland after slavery with his grandparents, who were slaves 
themselves. As a child he had very little money, and he only received 
an eighth grade education because the county where he lived, Saint 
Mary's County, had no high school for African Americans.
  As a young adult, Lewis moved to Washington, D.C. He married 
Catherine Frederick in 1936 and fathered three children, Frederick, 
Andre, and Monica. It was in Washington, D.C. that his great creativity 
and vision would help him find success in his various entrepreneurial 
ventures. He was successful in many different businesses, including a 
taxicab company, a coal distribution company, mobile markets that 
served urban communities, a bar and restaurant, and eventually a 
trucking company. Lewis had the bravery to start these companies at a 
time in our nation's history when, unfortunately, many thought that a 
man like Lewis should only work for these companies rather than be the 
man at the helm, and his courage deserves recognition.
  Lewis received many accolades for his work during and after his life. 
For his work on the decoration of the Blair House, he received a 
personal commendation by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In addition, 
as a testament to his business skill, his trucking company was awarded 
the contracts for work on the Sam Rayburn Congressional Building as 
well as many other important Washington D.C. structures. Also, he 
received a tacit compliment from the business community when his 
``mobile market'' concept for serving groceries to underserved 
neighborhoods was replicated by many.
  Even when engaging in business, Lewis was socially conscious and 
sought to do business in a humane way. His mobile market business 
bloomed into all different sorts of philanthropic works. He became 
known for delivering fresh fruits and vegetables to families of need in 
northeast Washington, D.C., and in 1996 he started the Frederick and 
Jordan Families Fund. The fund is administered by the San Francisco 
Foundation, and focuses specifically on helping African American 
communities in areas of homelessness, at-risk youth, and food programs.
  In his golden years, Lewis stayed busy, serving as chairman of the 
Frederick and Jordan Families Fund and writing his own book, From Slave 
Days to Present Days, the Roots of the Jordan Family, which is 
considered to be one of the few works portraying the lives of African 
Americans in Maryland after slavery.
  In addition to his business and philanthropic efforts, Lewis was a 
loving father. His love and care are reflected in the success of his 
children. Andre Jordan became the highest-ranking African American 
federal law enforcement official in the United States; Frederick 
started a civil engineering and construction management firm, which was 
the first African American owned firm of that sort on the West Coast; 
and Monica is the Assistant General Counsel of a federal agency.
  For his vision in business, his giving spirit, and his love of family 
and others, I am humbled to honor Lewis Edward Jordan. On behalf of 
California's 9th U.S. Congressional District, I am proud to add my 
voice to the countless others who have united in thanks, respect, and 
praise for this pioneering individual, Lewis Edward Jordan.




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