[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 24, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E526]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF BARBARA MINOR JAMES

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2018

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to 
honor the life of Barbara Minor James, a dedicated civic servant, 
mentor and humanitarian, who touched the lives of many.
  A steadfast Dallasite, Mrs. James lived a life devoted to the service 
of others, especially the young women of our city through her tireless 
work with the YWCA, a non-profit with a mission to eliminate racism, 
empower women, stand up for social justice, help families and 
strengthen communities. This is a cause that Mrs. James believed in 
deeply, and her efforts led to her becoming the first African-American 
woman to serve as the President of this valuable institution.
  A graduate of the storied Booker T. Washington High School, and later 
Wiley College of Marshall, Texas, and San Francisco State University, 
Mrs. James was affectionately referred to as `The General', because she 
strived her whole life to ensure that young women would not be limited 
to traditional roles, but instead be trained to be leaders in their 
communities and be granted professional equality. These are values that 
we continue to strive for, and that we can be sure touched the lives of 
countless young women who will be the leaders of tomorrow.
  She is also a deeply valued member of he church community at New Hope 
Baptist, for whom she gifted 50 years as a Sunday School Instructor, as 
well as numerous other board positions and directorships, including as 
a Trustee of American Baptist Women for 15 years.
  Her service was not confined to these institutions, as she also 
dedicated herself to the greater Dallas Community of Churches, Jack and 
Jill of America, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Family Clinic and National 
Society of Fund Raising Executives.
  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. James said it best when she remarked that service 
``makes getting up every morning exciting because I can work for the 
betterment of Dallas, the city I love.'' Simply put Barbara Minor James 
was involved in every way possible to dedicated her life to her church, 
her community, and her values, and I believe we should honor her legacy 
for that commitment.

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