[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 38 (Monday, March 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO DONNA JONES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS-

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 14, 2011

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Ms. Donna 
Jones.
  With an entertainment career that expands over thirty years, Ms. 
Jones has been using her talents to educate and expose others to the 
industry. Graduating from high school at the age of fifteen, Ms. Jones 
set out to take over the world by being the first black traveling 
journalist. Her career began at NBC (Channel 4), where she worked on a 
variety of popular shows, such as Saturday Night Live and The Cosby 
Show.
  While attending a Saturday seminar at her alma mater L.I.U., Ms. 
Jones met Spike Lee, Monty Ross and other members of 40 Acres and a 
Mule Filmworks. They introduced her to comedienne/actress Phyllis 
Yvonne Stickney, who she started managing personally and 
professionally. From there, Ms. Jones found herself negotiating 
contracts and business deals throughout the entertainment industry. 
When Ms. Stickney became the opening act for Patti LaBelle, fortune 
smiled upon Ms. Jones once again and she became part of the LaBelle 
team, putting together traveling tours.
  Being the constant networker, Ms. Jones had continuous opportunities 
to meet industry leaders and work on large films, TV shows and other 
projects. Ms. Jones eventually transitioned to work with Virginia Tech 
University's School of the Arts Management Team. While at Virginia 
Tech, she also obtained a Master's Degree and produced shows educating 
the community on the tremendous work of Moms Mabley, Paul Lawrence 
Dunbar and Denmark Vesey.
  With her writing, organizational and networking skills, Ms. Jones is 
always reaching out to others to afford them an opportunity to realize 
their own dreams and goals. Understanding the impact the industry has 
on young minds, she formed the organization LEAD Inc. The organization 
exposes young adults in failing schools to thousands of jobs that 
support the entertainment business and allows these individuals to put 
together the parallels between entertainment and education.
  Ms. Jones is grateful for her opportunities to work with Congressman 
Edolphus ``Ed'' Towns, Senator John Sampson, and other local 
politicians; these experiences increased her ability to help others. 
Ms. Jones attributes her achievements to God first who orchestrates our 
journeys and her wonderful family who exposed her early to the business 
of entertainment. But she is most proud of the person she is and the 
character they have imparted in her. ``When God uses my hands to help 
others realize their journey, it frees me to complete the journey he 
has designed for me!''
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Donna 
Jones.

                          ____________________