[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 29 (Thursday, February 28, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E229-E230]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING JESSE J. JOSSELL, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize a 
remarkable veteran of the Korean Conflict from 1954-1957, Pastor Jesse 
J. Jossell, Jr., of Marks, Mississippi.

[[Page E230]]

  Jesse was born in Coahoma County on September 5, 1935 to the late 
Jesse J. and Cordelia B. Jossell, Sr. His family later moved to Quitman 
County, Mississippi where he attended school and in May 1954 he 
graduated from Marks Industrial High School. He received his Associate 
of Arts Degree from Coahoma Junior College in May 1959. In 1961, he 
received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Jackson State College, now 
Jackson State University. He also attended Howard University in 1965. 
In 1969, he earned a Master of Science Degree in Natural Science from 
Oklahoma State University and later a Master of Education Degree in 
Educational Administration and Supervision in 1973.
  From 1960 until 1973, Jesse Jossell worked for the Quitman County 
School District in Marks, Mississippi as a classroom science teacher 
and science supervisor before accepting a principal position at the 
Falcon Junior High School in 1973.
  In 1973, Jesse Jossell was asked to seek the office of Superintendent 
of Schools in the upcoming State and County Elections in 1975. Just 
four years earlier, the leadership in the black community under the new 
voting rights law sought to test this new tool. Jesse by far was the 
most attractive candidate and offered the best opportunity to elect an 
African-American to a countywide position. For two years, voter 
registration was the order of the day. More than 1,500 African-
Americans were added to the voter rolls by qualifying deadline. 
Although Jesse and the other black candidates were not elected, three 
years later he was elected the first African-American to the Quitman 
County Board of Supervisors.
  Jesse Jossell was later called into the ministry, where he has served 
as Pastor of Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church since 1984. Through 
his work as pastor, he has provided child care to working mothers, 
especially single low-income and those trying to better themselves by 
going to school.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Pastor 
Jesse Jossell, Jr. for a life of dedication to bettering the lives of 
the least among us.

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