[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 26 (Monday, February 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





MOURNING THE PASSING OF THE HONORABLE WALTER BEAMAN JONES, JR., MEMBER 
              OF CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 11, 2019

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a great 
American and a distinguished member of this House, the Honorable Walter 
B. Jones, Jr.
  The Honorable Walter B. Jones, died on Sunday, February 10, 2019 
after a long illness.
  In addition to being a beloved and highly respected member of the 
House, Walter Jones was also a small business owner and a veteran of 
the National Guard.
  His presence will be greatly missed and we all mourn his loss and 
extend our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
  Walter Beaman Jones, Jr. was born February 10, 1943 in Farmville, 
North Carolina to Walter B. and Doris Long Jones, where he was raised.
  Madam Speaker, Walter Jones attended Hargrave Military Academy in 
Chatham, Virginia and graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Arts from 
Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) in Wilson, North 
Carolina.
  Shortly after graduation Walter Jones joined the North Carolina 
National Guard while also working as an executive with his family's 
business supply company.
  In 1982, Walter Jones, the son of Congressman Walter B. Jones, Sr., 
was first elected as a Democrat to the North Carolina House of 
Representatives.
  After serving five successful terms and being known for his advocacy 
of campaign finance reform and lobbying reform, in 1994, Walter Jones 
sought and won a seat in the United States House of Representatives 
representing the Third Congressional District of North Carolina.
  Walter Jones was a dedicated and tireless advocate for his community 
and always put the interests of his district before the interests of 
his party.
  In Congress, Walter Jones was an effective and powerful voice for 
those serving on active duty as well as veterans.
  In 2000, Walter Jones fought to help clear the names of two Marine 
pilots wrongly blamed for the deadly crash of a V-22 Osprey.
  In 2016, the Navy issued a clarification about the cause of the fatal 
crash.
  Anyone who met Walter Jones knew of his tenacity and abiding love for 
the military.
  Walter Jones fought against the corrosive influence of money in 
politics for much of his career.
  As co-chair of the Campaign Finance Reform Caucus, Walter Jones 
pushed for reforms to lessen the impact and role of large campaign 
contributions and called for the repeal of the Supreme Court's decision 
in Citizens United, v. Federal Election Commission, 558 U.S. 310 
(2010), which opened the floodgates for dark money and super PACs, and 
he advocated for public financing of election campaigns.
  During his quarter century of service in Congress he served on the 
Committee on Armed Services as well as its Subcommittees on Tactical 
Air and Land Forces and on Military Personnel.
  Madam Speaker, a dear colleague has fallen but he will not be 
forgotten.
  We are all saddened by the passing of the Honorable Walter B. Jones, 
Jr. but we are happy to have served with him and our prayers and 
condolences are with his family and loved ones.
  Madam Speaker, Walter B. Jones, Jr. was a faithful public servant, a 
great legislator, and a good man, who will be missed by all who knew 
and loved him.
  I ask the House to observe a moment of silence in memory of the 
Honorable Walter Beaman Jones, Jr., of North Carolina.

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