[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 194 (Wednesday, November 29, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE LATE ARKANSAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN LEWELLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 29, 2017

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my distinguished 
colleague from Arkansas, Mr. French Hill, to honor the memory of a 
great public servant, beloved husband, father, and grandfather;
  A distinguished educator, who inspired thousands of students;
  A dedicated public servant who served in the Arkansas Department of 
Human Services for three decades;
  A member of the Little Rock, Arkansas City Board and the Pulaski 
County Quorum Court;
  And a former Arkansas State Representative who founded the Democratic 
Black Caucus in the Arkansas legislature;
  My late father-in-law, the Honorable John M. Lewellen, who died last 
week at the age of 87.
  State Representative Lewellen was married to the love of his life, 
Wilhelmina Epps Lewellen for 61-years. A loving father and grandfather, 
Mr. Lewellen is also survived by two wonderful daughters, Cornelia 
Lewellen Biddle of Little Rock, Arkansas; and Ivie Lewellen Clay of St. 
Louis, Missouri; four grandchildren; and three cherished sisters.
  Mr. Speaker, John Lewellen was a champion for minority-owned and 
women-owned businesses across the State of Arkansas. He was also a 
passionate defender of the Right to Vote.
  He saw the value of saving our history, particularly the historic 
Mosaic Templars Cultural Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. His entire 
life was spent serving others, and his legacy will endure. Our family 
has suffered a great loss, but we are strengthened by our faith which 
entrusts his spirit to a loving God who promises that we shall see him 
again.
  We give thanks for his remarkable life, and I ask for prayers for his 
widow, our family, and all his many friends who are mourning the loss 
of this good and decent man. May God grant him perfect peace, and may 
he send us courage and healing as we remember John Lewellen's 
exceptional life.

                          ____________________