[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              JETIE WILDS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2015

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 
outstanding and invaluable contributions of African Americans during 
Black History Month and all year long. I am proud to pay tribute to 
African American men and women who exemplify the spirit of selfless and 
patriotic service.
  I rise today to pay tribute to a truly gifted leader of the Tampa Bay 
community, Mr. Jetie Wilds. Mr. Wilds dedicated his life to educating 
people about public service, bringing communities together, and 
inspiring a way forward for all people in Tampa. Today it is a 
privilege for me to honor his incredible legacy.
  Mr. Wilds was born in Tampa, Florida to a family of 12 children. At a 
young age, Mr. Wilds volunteered on political campaigns and developed a 
passion for political activism and engagement. This strong commitment 
to bettering the community led him to Morehouse College in Atlanta 
where he obtained a Bachelor's degree. He was deeply involved in the 
civil rights movement by regularly participating in peace marches and 
sit-ins. During this time, Mr. Wilds married his wife of over 49 years, 
Ozepher. Mr. Wilds then began his career staying true to his roots as a 
public servant by becoming a middle school math teacher.
  Mr. Wilds' public advocacy was not limited to civil rights; he was an 
ardent environmentalist who served as a community organizer for greater 
environmental regulations in Portland, Oregon. While there, he obtained 
a Master's degree in urban planning at Portland State University. His 
knowledge of environmental policy later led him to Washington, D.C. 
where he conducted research on the impact of environmental regulations 
on the African American community.
  Mr. Wilds returned to Tampa in 1996 and spearheaded his now locally 
renowned radio show, Citizen's Report. During each broadcast, Mr. Wilds 
brought to light the significant issues facing the Tampa Bay community. 
He quickly developed a rapport with his audience because of his 
intellect and candor that kept the show on air for over 15 years. His 
efforts to educate and inspire action on important political issues 
continued through his weekly column in Tampa's trilingual newspaper, La 
Gaceta. This column consistently provided a profound perspective on 
issues that transcended cultural and racial boundaries.
  Mr. Wilds' leadership and tireless work earned him numerous accolades 
including Man of the Year from the Portland Junior Chamber of Commerce, 
Boss of the Year from the Professional Women's Organization and 
Distinguished College Alumnus from the National Association for Equal 
Opportunity in Higher Education.
  Mr. Wilds will always be remembered as a leader who united people of 
all races and ethnicities for the common cause of community betterment. 
Whether he was running for office, teaching a class or providing an 
insightful voice for our community on the radio--Jetie Wilds was a true 
public servant. On September 21, 2014, Mr. Wilds passed away at the age 
of 74. Mr. Speaker, I join the Tampa Bay community in thanking Mr. 
Jetie Wilds, Jr. for his lifelong service to the State of Florida.

                          ____________________