[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 14, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E481]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING JEWELL C. LOCKHART

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 14, 2015

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable public servant, Mr. Jewell C. Lockhart.
  Mr. Lockhart was born Feb. 7, 1934, in Taylor, Mississippi. He was 
one of nine children born to Odeal and Ruby Smith Lockhart. He grew up 
on a farm seven miles south of Oxford in the Taylor community. He 
always loved the outdoors and the open country sides. He attended 
Taylor Vocational High School and graduated top of his class. His love 
for agriculture and rural America encouraged him to pursue and obtain a 
Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics from Alcorn A&M College 
(now Alcorn State University), where he graduated with honors in 1956. 
He later received a master's degree in public financial management from 
American University in Washington, D.C.
  Mr. Lockhart served two years in the U.S. Army, which included a 16-
month tour in Korea. He was honorably discharged in 1962. He went on to 
teach science, biology, chemistry and physics for one and a half years, 
and served as assistant principal in Raleigh. He worked for the United 
States Government and the United States Department of Agriculture for 
43 years as: assistant county supervisor; county supervisor (becoming 
the first black county supervisor in Mississippi); assistant district 
director; rural estate loan specialist in Washington, D.C.; and 
District Director in Mississippi.
  While at Alcorn, Mr. Lockhart met who would become the love of his 
life, Ruth Earlene Singleton. They were married in 1957, and to this 
union were born two sons, Anthony Virdell Lockhart and Jewell C. 
Lockhart Jr. Mr. Lockhart was involved with many different 
organizations. He served as: a member of the board of directors and 
president of the United Way; the board of directors and president of 
the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County; and was a former board 
member of The Salvation Army. He also served on the board of directors 
of Habitat for Humanity; the Greater Greenville Housing Committee; the 
board of directors of Mission Mississippi Delta; the board of directors 
of Ability to Work; and vice president of TRIAD. He was also a member 
of National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
  Mr. Lockhart was also the recipient of numerous awards and citations. 
Among them are: the Alcornite of the Year in 1982; the Silver Beaver 
Award from the Delta Area Council Boy Scouts of America; Community 
Service Award; 100 Black Men of Mississippi Delta, Inc. Distinguished 
Service Award; Delta Point of Pride Award from Greenville Area Chamber 
of Commerce; and Outstanding Service Award from National Council of 
SHADS. He was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, where he received 
the Membership Award.
  Led to Christ at an early age, Mr. Lockhart joined New Hope First MB 
Church and was a constant presence and faithful servant in a number of 
capacities there. He served on the deacon board and as church 
treasurer. He was Deputy Superintendent of young adults. He was Scout 
Master of Troop No. 4412 at New Hope for many years and also a youth 
advisor. He also served as a Sunday School teacher.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Jewell 
C. Lockhart for his dedication to serving others and giving back to the 
African American community.

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