[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 151 (Thursday, November 18, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1988]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF TENNESSEE STATE REPRESENTATIVE 
                           ULYSSES JONES, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. STEVE COHEN

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 2010

  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ulysses Jones, Jr. A 
public servant throughout his career, Mr. Jones worked as a paramedic 
with the Memphis Fire Department for 37 years, where he rose to the 
rank of battalion chief. Ulysses continued to serve by becoming 
Tennessee's 98th District State Representative representing the North 
Memphis community for 23 years. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee on 
June 7, 1951 to the late Ulysses Jones, Sr. and Marjorie Nicholas 
Jones. Ulysses Jones, Jr. graduated from North Side High School and 
went on to attend the University of Memphis and Tennessee State 
University.
  Ulysses Jones, Jr. was oftentimes faced with challenging moments 
during his tenure as a paramedic. On August 16, 1977, Ulysses and a 
colleague were called to Graceland to revive Elvis Presley, but to no 
avail. Ulysses later noted that he identified with the legendary 
entertainer who despite living in public housing projects, worked hard 
to make a better life for himself. Ulysses thought nothing of putting 
his life on the line to save others and he took that same attitude of 
public service to the state legislature when he was elected to the 
Tennessee House of Representatives.
  Ulysses Jones, Jr. was first elected to the Tennessee General 
Assembly in 1986. For nearly a quarter of a century, he was a voice for 
working men and women in Shelby County. He stood by his convictions on 
issues that mattered most to him, including improving schools, 
expanding college scholarships and equal pay for all. Ulysses aspired 
to do the right thing for all people regardless of race, creed or 
political affiliation.
  Mr. Jones was an effective lawmaker for Tennessee. His vocal and 
active opposition to the ``Tiny Towns'' bill led to one of his most 
notable accomplishments in the Tennessee legislature. This legislation, 
which initially passed and was signed into state law, allowed small 
communities, and in one contested battle, an apartment building, to 
incorporate to avoid paying property taxes. Less than a year after 
being signed into law, the Tennessee Supreme Court struck down the law 
citing constitutional violations.
  Ulysses worked hard on not just his legislative agenda but on other 
Members' bills including mine. He cosponsored the ``Tennessee Lottery 
for Education,'' a bill I sponsored and worked on for nearly 20 years. 
After being signed into law, Ulysses took the reins and served as the 
Co-Chair of the Joint Lottery Oversight Committee and was a member of 
the House Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.
  While in the Tennessee House of Representatives, Ulysses Jones served 
as the Chair of the House Ethics Committee, Chair of the House State 
and Local Government Committee and the 2nd Vice President of the 
National Black Caucus of State Legislators. He was a member of the 
House Education Committee, K-12 Subcommittee, Local Government 
Subcommittee, Joint Select Education Oversight Committee and the 
Tennessee Commemorative Women's Suffrage Commission. Ulysses also co-
authored state Enterprise Zone legislation for Tennessee.
  Mr. Jones was also actively involved in his community. He served as 
Chairman of both the Tennessee African-American Male Task Force and the 
Governor's Minority Business Development Advisory Committee. He sat on 
the Board of Directors for the Fire Fighter Investment Group and was 
the President of the Pioneer Black Fire Fighters. Ulysses was a member 
of the YMCA Black Achievers and was a catalyst for the Development of 
the North Memphis Inner City Community Development Corporation.
  Ulysses Jones, Jr. passed away on November 9, 2010 at the age of 59. 
Ulysses Jones, Jr. is survived by his daughter Victoria and son Ulysses 
III. His commitment to helping people throughout his life will be 
remembered by the countless number of lives he touched. His was a life 
well lived.

                          ____________________