[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 35 (Thursday, March 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E443-E444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO THE LATE STATE SENATOR SHERMAN JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2007

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay a personal 
tribute to my good friend and trusted advisor for many years, former 
State Senator Sherman Jones of Kansas City, Kansas, who died on 
February 21. For many years, he was a leading member of the Kansas 
City, Kansas, community, as well as a valued member of my kitchen 
cabinet and surrogate speaker on my political team. His friends and 
neighbors mourn his loss and will miss him terribly--none more so than 
me.
  Sherman Jones was born on February 10, 1935, in Winton, North 
Carolina. After high school, he was recruited to play baseball, where 
he eventually served for three seasons as a pitcher in the major 
leagues for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, and San Francisco 
Giants. He pitched in the World Series for the Cincinnati Reds in 1961. 
Jones, whose baseball nickname was ``Roadblock'', appeared in game five 
of the 1961 Series, against the New York Yankees, pitching two-thirds 
of an inning. One of eight Reds pitchers in the game, he was the only 
one who did not allow either a hit or a run.
  While playing baseball in Topeka, Kansas, Sherman met Amelia 
Buchanan; they married on December 16, 1956. After he completed his 
baseball career, they settled in Kansas City, Kansas, to raise their 
family. He joined the Kansas City police department, where he retired 
after 22 years of service. He also served as athletic director for 
Turner House, working with inner city youth. His community involvement 
led him to politics, where he served as a member of the Kansas House of 
Representatives from 1988 to 1992, followed by service in the Kansas 
Senate from 1992 to 2000. At the time of his retirement from the 
Senate, he served as ranking Democratic member of the Committee on 
Federal and State Affairs, and as a member of the Committees on 
Confirmations Oversight, Education, Public Health and Welfare, 
Utilities, and Health Care Reform Legislative Oversight.
  During his rich, full life, Sherman Jones was involved with many 
organizations, including: Optimist International, where he served as 
international vice president; the Wyandotte County Park Board, where he 
served as member and chairman; the Kansas City, Kansas, Parks 
Foundation; the Kansas High School Activities Association; United Way; 
the Kansas Legislative Black Caucus, which he chaired; and the Kansas 
University Medical Center, where he served as board member.
  Former Senator Sherman Jones is survived by his wife of 50 years, 
Amelia, three children, a sister, five brothers, eight grandchildren, 
and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Madam Speaker, I know 
that you and the entire House of Representatives join with me in 
celebrating the life of Senator Sherman Jones and in sharing the loss 
felt by Ameila Jones, their family and their many friends.

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