[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 193 (Thursday, December 6, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1610-E1611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 REMEMBRANCE OF TONYA CHISSELL WILLIAMS, DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT WHO 
MADE VALUABLE AND SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF 
     THE 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2018

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, it is my sad duty to inform the House 
that Tonya Chissell Williams, who served the people of the Eighteenth 
Congressional District of Texas for many years as a senior staff member 
in my Houston district office, passed away on November 16, 2018, in 
Houston, Texas.
  Tonya Chissell Williams overcame life-changing challenges to complete 
her college education and her hard work and resilience was rewarded 
with both a prestigious Congressional Black Caucus Foundation 
Congressional internship which she served in my office and a Mickey 
Leland Congressional Fellow.
  Tonya Chissell Williams continued her career in public service In my 
Houston district as a Field Representative and Caseworker and her 
excellent performance earned the promotion to the position of Senior 
Casework Manager and Special Events Coordinator.
  Mr. Speaker, Tonya Chissell Williams was a beloved employee and 
public servant. She was always there to lend a helping hand as 
demonstrated through the countless projects on which she worked on 
behalf of those who needed a hand up including the annual Beat the Heat 
Program; the 18th Congressional District's ``Moms Summit'' and the 
``When Women Succeed America Succeeds'' events designed to empower, 
educate and uplift women; the ``Back to School'' event that furnishes 
children with backpacks and fresh haircuts; the annual Thanksgiving 
Turkey Giveaway; and her biggest love, the Toys for Kids annual event 
that provides young children with the wonder and joy of the Christmas 
season.
  Tonya leaves to cherish her memory her husband, Kendrick Lawrence 
Williams; one son, Jason Alexander Chissell; her mother, Sharon Ann 
Chissell; her father, Joseph Rodriguez Chissell; two sisters, Shannon 
Elizabeth Chissell-Uzomaka (Santa Eugene) and Khian Chissell-Martin 
(Jeffrey); two brothers, Joseph Nicholas Chissell and Rodriguez Joseph 
Lomax (Kewanda); her brother-in-law, Carlton Anthony Williams 
(Danielle); two nieces, Shariann (Sharie Berry) Elaine Uzomaka and 
Kamryn A. Martin; three nephews, Shawn A. Robinson, Jamoriss Martin, 
and Joseph N. Chissell, Jr. (deceased); and a host of relatives, 
friends, and loved ones.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following resolution 
honoring Tonya Chissell Williams and that the House observe a moment of 
silence in her memory:

[[Page E1611]]

  


    Resolution of Congressional Condolence In Memory of Tonya Rena 
                           Chissell-Williams


                  December 15, 1980-November 16, 2018

 ``My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you'' John 15:12

       Whereas, Tonya Chissell Williams was born December 15, 1980 
     to her parents Sharon and Joseph Chissell in New Orleans, 
     Louisiana; and
       Whereas, Tonya Chissell Williams was a high achiever and 
     attended H.C. Schaumburg Elementary, Edward Livingston Junior 
     High School, McDonough 35 College Preparatory High School, 
     Marion Abramson Math & Science--Magnet High School for the 
     Gifted, and Delgado Community College in New Orleans, 
     Louisiana and received her Associate Degree in Computer 
     Information Systems from the University of New Orleans in 
     2005 and her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the 
     University of Houston Downtown in 2009; and
       Whereas, Tonya Chissell Williams was forced to leave New 
     Orleans in August 2005 due to the devastation by Hurricane 
     Katrina and relocated with her relatives to Houston, Texas 
     where she met and united in marriage to her husband Kendrick 
     Lawrence Williams on September 10, 2006; and
       Whereas, Tonya Chissell Williams accepted Jesus Christ at 
     an early age, believing strongly in God and believing deeply 
     in the teaching of the Bible; she was a faithfull servant and 
     Minister of Music at New Orleans East Seventh Day-Adventist 
     Church where she served in many choirs while singing along 
     with Fred Hammond and the late Raymond Myles; and after 
     relocating to Houston she joined Bellfort Seventh Day 
     Adventist Church, now known as World Harvest Outreach 
     Seventh-Day Adventist Church, as a faithful member under the 
     leadership of Senior Pastor Keith S. Goodman; and
       Whereas, Tonya Chissell Williams overcame life-changing 
     challenges to complete her college education; her hard work 
     and resilience was rewarded with both a prestigious 
     Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Congressional 
     internship in the Office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee 
     and a Mickey Leland Congressional Fellow in 2010; and
       Whereas, Tonya Chissell Williams started her career in 
     public service in the Office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson 
     Lee in the United States House of Representatives in 2010 as 
     a Field Representative and Caseworker, she was later promoted 
     in 2014 as a Senior Casework Manager and Special Events 
     Coordinator; and
       Whereas, Tonya Chissell Williams was a beloved employee and 
     public servant, she was always there to lend a helping hand 
     as demonstrated through the countless projects on which she 
     worked on behalf of those who needed a hand up including the 
     annual Beat the Heat Program; the 18th Congressional 
     District's ``Moms Summit'' and the ``When Women Succeed 
     America Succeeds'' events designed to empower, educate and 
     uplift women; the ``Back to School'' event that furnishes 
     children with backpacks and fresh haircuts; the annual 
     Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway; and her biggest love, the Toys 
     for Kids annual event that provides young children with the 
     wonder and joy of the Christmas season; and
       Whereas, Tonya Chissell Williams' desire to expand and 
     continue her service to the Houston community led her to 
     accept a position as Community Liaison with the City of 
     Houston in the Health and Human Services Department; and
       Whereas, Tonya Chissell Williams leaves to cherish her 
     legacy her husband; Kendrick Lawrence Williams; one son, 
     Jason Alexander Chissell; her mother, Sharon Ann Chissell; 
     her father, Joseph Rodriguez Chissell; two sisters, Shannon 
     Elizabeth Chissell-Uzomaka (Santa Eugene) and Khian Chissell-
     Martin (Jeffrey); two brothers, Joseph Nicholas Chissell and 
     Rodriguez Joseph Lomax (Kewanda); her brother-in-law, Carlton 
     Anthony Williams (Danielle); two nieces, Shariann (Sharie 
     Berry) Elaine Uzomaka and Kamryn A. Martin; three nephews 
     Shawn A. Robinson, Jamoriss Martin, and Joseph N. Chissell, 
     Jr. (deceased); and numerous other relatives, friends and 
     colleagues.
       Now Therefore Be It Resolved that, on behalf of the 
     constituents of the Eighteenth Congressional District of 
     Texas, I, in great humility offer condolences to the family 
     of Tonya Chissell Williams and those she leaves in God's 
     hands. Tonya was a true servant for the people of this city, 
     state, and nation. Tonya's work on earth is finished, and is 
     deserving of the commendation and admiration of the United 
     States Congress. As the Master says in Matthew 25:21, ``Well 
     done, thou good and faithful servant.''

                          ____________________