[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7428-S7429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO JOHN OSCAR ``JOHNNY'' JONES

  Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I am pleased to commend Mr. John 
Oscar ``Johnny'' Jones, who is retiring from U.S. Department of 
Agriculture Rural Development after 37 consecutive years of service to 
the Nation.
  Raised in Coffeeville, MS, Johnny joined USDA in 1980 as a student 
trainee in the Coffeeville Farmers Home Administration Office. In 
pursuing a career with USDA, Johnny followed in the footsteps of his 
father, William Woodrow Jones, and brother, William Woodrow ``Woody'' 
Jones, Jr., who both made significant contributions to American 
agriculture and rural economies throughout Mississippi as lifelong USDA 
employees.
  Following his graduation from Mississippi State University in 1982, 
Johnny was promoted to the position of assistant county supervisor, 
ACS, for Webster County in Eupora, MS, with responsibility for Webster 
and Choctaw Counties. In 1985, he was promoted to county supervisor for 
Attala County. In 1990, Johnny was selected to serve as a rural housing 
specialist in the State Farmers Home Administration Office in Jackson. 
Seven years later, Johnny became the State program director for Single 
Family Housing for Rural Development in Mississippi, a position he has 
ably held for 21 years.
  Working his way up from the Farmers Home Administration Office in his 
hometown to the State office in Jackson, Johnny not only gained 
exceptional knowledge and expertise, but he also contributed unique 
perspective to his work. Johnny understood the needs

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of rural Americans, as well as the challenges rural communities must 
overcome to gain accessibility to the quality of life standards 
afforded to urban America. Applying his knowledge, expertise, and 
competence, Johnny devoted himself to making a positive difference in 
the lives of Mississippians.
  Johnny's contributions to the people of Mississippi have been notably 
remarkable. Throughout his tenure as program director of the Single 
Family Housing program in Mississippi, he assisted nearly 50,000 
families in achieving the American dream of home ownership. Whether a 
family needed a home or an impoverished elder required emergency home 
repairs, Johnny effectively managed USDA home loan and repair programs 
to assure the well-being of people he served, and in the process, he 
helped them improve themselves and their families.
  Johnny Jones made the mission of his profession to selflessly and 
honorably serve others. He has directly contributed to improving the 
quality of life of literally tens of thousands of Mississippians. Few 
individuals have the opportunity through their careers to hold such 
distinction. On the occasion of his retirement, it is an honor to 
recognize Johnny Jones for his dedicated service to his State and to 
the country.

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