[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 5, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H2343-H2350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1930
              HONORING REPRESENTATIVE WALTER B. JONES, JR.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Torres Small of New Mexico). Under the 
Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2019, the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) is recognized for 60 minutes as the designee 
of the minority leader.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, we are here tonight to 
honor our colleague, Walter B. Jones.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank Congressman Price for the effort he 
has put in to making this evening a time for us to honor Walter, our 
esteemed colleague.
  Madam Speaker, Walter Jones will always be remembered for his 
dedication to North Carolina's Third District and his steadfast support 
for all of our Nation's men and women in uniform. I know that many of 
the speakers will

[[Page H2344]]

talk much more about that this evening, as will I.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Price), for his comments.
  Then, Madam Speaker, we will be recognizing our colleagues from both 
sides of the aisle, which is extremely appropriate, particularly in the 
case of Congressman Jones.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for 
yielding and for calling this Special Order to pay tribute to our 
departed friend and colleague, Walter Jones, Jr.
  Walter died on February 10, his 76th birthday. He lived a full life 
of service: four years in the National Guard, ten years in the North 
Carolina General Assembly, and nearly a quarter century in this U.S. 
House of Representatives.
  Walter and I met long before either of us served in the House. We 
worked together on the Jimmy Carter Presidential campaign of 1976. I 
have a photo on my desk of a very youthful-looking group of campaign 
workers to prove that.
  Walter, of course, went on to chart a different course politically, a 
course that was uniquely his own. In fact, he found himself frequently 
at odds with, if not one party, then the other, but by the same token, 
he sometimes found possibilities for alliances and cooperation in 
unexpected places, and he didn't hesitate to take those opportunities.
  Madam Speaker, tonight we are going to hear from a wide range of 
colleagues, an amazingly diverse group of colleagues that reflects the 
friendships that Walter had in this Chamber. That was also reflected in 
the delegation that went to Greenville for Walter's funeral service on 
February 14. He was an independent man and he just had friends all over 
the place.
  Now, that independence was rooted in Walter's strong convictions and 
his personal sincerity. He actually, I think we would all agree, stood 
out. In an age in which sincerity is sometimes in short supply in our 
Nation's politics, he earned respect and admiration on both sides of 
the aisle.
  The outpouring of tributes and remembrances that we have seen and 
will see tonight is a testament to that fact.
  Much has been said about the personal encounters Walter had with 
veterans of the Iraq war and the families of those who never returned 
and how those encounters led him to reassess his past and present 
policy circumstances.
  Walter sent over 10,000 letters to families of fallen troops and he 
memorialized those who died from North Carolina's Camp Lejeune with 
photos outside his office.
  Walter's determined and effective voice for the military and 
especially his beloved Marines and his deep love for his home State of 
North Carolina are going to be missed in these Halls and in the coastal 
farming and military communities in the Third Congressional District.
  So we express heartfelt condolences to Walter's wife Joe Anne, 
daughter Ashley, his loyal staff who are joining us in the Chamber here 
tonight, his countless friends, neighbors and community members, the 
lives he touched along the way.
  Madam Speaker, I include in the Record a tribute from one from his 
longtime staff members, Ray Celeste, Jr.

                A Tribute to Congressman Walter B. Jones

       (By Colonel Ray Celeste Jr., U.S. Marine Corps (Retired))

       I had the pleasure and good fortune to have served with 
     Congressman Walter B. Jones for almost eight years in his 
     D.C. office as his Military Legislative Assistant. He was an 
     American icon of virtue and American values. He loved America 
     and his constituents deeply. He worked tirelessly on their 
     behalf for many decades. He stood up against injustices that 
     many of them faced.
       He had an iron-will to do what was best for his 
     constituents. His will was strong and unflinching. We, as 
     part of his staff, worked to ensure we represented the 
     congressman as best as possible and to be as helpful as 
     possible to him and our constituents of the 3rd District. His 
     constituents' services were renowned.
       Congressman Jones was the epitome of a public servant. He 
     was always working for the betterment of his people. He was 
     their divine servant. He greatly appreciated the sacrifices 
     our military veterans have made for our great Nation.
       He also appreciated the sacrifices their families make. The 
     general public sometimes overlooks these sacrifices. He did a 
     lot of work in promoting the proper education of military 
     children who are autistic through the use of Applied Behavior 
     Analysis (ABA).
       Congressman Jones worked tirelessly to help treat service 
     members and Veterans who suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress 
     Disorder (PTSD) and those that suffer from Traumatic Brain 
     Injury (TBI). He promoted the use of Hyperbaric Oxygen 
     Therapy (HBOT). He did not think this was a cure-all for PTSD 
     or TBI, but as one of treatment methods that that should be 
     available to service members and Veterans. He authored a 
     legislative provision that was adopted in the Fiscal Year 
     2017 National Defense Authorization Act (FY 2017 NDAA). This 
     provision allows for the use of HBOT to be used as a 
     treatment method for PTSD/TBI by the Department of Defense 
     (DoD).
       He was shocked at the overuse of drugs to treat PTSD/TBI 
     where there was no conclusive clinical trial done that proved 
     a certain regime of drugs could cure or alleviate the 
     horrible mental and physical impacts of PTSD/TBI. In some, if 
     not many cases, it made matters worse. He was shocked at the 
     over reliance on the use of drugs.
       Congressman Jones looked for holistic methods to treat 
     PTSD/TBI such as the use of service dogs. He also admired the 
     positive influence influences of yoga and combat acupuncture.
       Congressman Jones was the Republican lead on the 
     legislation to honor Purple Heart recipients and other 
     American heroes by giving them access to Department of 
     Defense commissaries and recreation facilities. The Purple 
     Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act of 2018 extends 
     access to commissaries and Morale, Welfare, and Recreation 
     (MWR) facilities to Purple Heart recipients, all veterans 
     with a service-connected disability, Medal of Honor 
     recipients, former prisoners of war, and veteran caregivers. 
     Commissaries are grocery/department stores on military 
     installations that sell food and some household items. MWR 
     facilities offer a range of services on bases including 
     libraries, outdoor recreation, dining, golf courses, and 
     sports and fitness centers. It was adopted in the Fiscal Year 
     (FY) 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
       Two words sum up Congressman Walter B. Jones. He was highly 
     principled and he was a statesman. He thought we, as a 
     Nation, must look at what is best in the U.S.'s interests 
     first. He was not an isolationist, but he did think the U.S. 
     was allowing itself to be taken advantage of by our allies.
       Congressman Walter B. Jones was a once in a lifetime member 
     of Congress. God bless him, his wife Joe Anne, and their 
     daughter, Ashley. Semper Fidelis.

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for 
yielding.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Price for his 
comments.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Amash) for 
his tribute to our good friend, Walter Jones.
  Mr. AMASH. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I can't begin to tell you how saddened I was at the 
passing last month of my dear friend and colleague, Walter Jones.
  What a great man Walter was and what a great loss to this 
institution.
  Walter was one of my closest friends in Congress. I wish I had been 
able to spend more time with him, but I will be forever grateful for 
the time that I did spend with him.
  I am glad I was able to attend his funeral in North Carolina to say 
good-bye and celebrate his life with his family and friends. I am 
pleased to join with my colleagues here today to do the same.
  Even though Walter was one of my best friends, he would always refer 
to me as ``Chairman.'' I used to think that was because I was the 
chairman of the House Liberty Caucus. Then one day I realized that he 
would call all sorts of people ``Chairman,'' so I asked him about it, 
and he told me, ``Everyone is chairman of something.''
  Well, Walter, you were the chairman of kindness, humility, dignity, 
courage, integrity and honor.
  Walter was one of the best men I knew, a kind, humble, dignified man 
dedicated to his faith, his family, and the people he represented.
  Walter had a courage and integrity you rarely see in this chamber or 
anywhere. He never gave up fighting for what he believed in. He wasn't 
in Washington for money, power, or fame. He cared about honor and doing 
the right thing, and he was brave enough to admit when he was wrong.
  You were a good man, Walter, no matter what you may have thought 
about your mistakes. You were a good man, chairman, and I will miss 
you.
  May your memory be eternal.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative 
Amash for his comments tonight.

[[Page H2345]]

  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Ms. Gabbard).
  Ms. GABBARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my 
friend, Congressman Walter Jones, Jr., a man who was known by all of us 
throughout his many years serving in this chamber for his kindness, his 
southern charm, and his big heart, his fierce independence, and his 
pursuit of peace.
  Walter left us on February 10, his 76th birthday. He lived a long 
life of service: four years in the North Carolina National Guard, ten 
years in the North Carolina General Assembly, and nearly 25 years 
serving in these halls.
  Walter stayed true to himself throughout this time, following his 
heart. He was never afraid to challenge the status quo, often to the 
chagrin of his party leaders.
  We found a common bond and friendship around shared ideals, of 
putting people before politics, putting service above self. He knew 
that when we see each other as people, as public servants, not just as 
Republicans and Democrats that this is when we have the opportunity to 
find common ground and work toward our common goal of serving the 
people of this country.
  Now, in 2002, Walter voted for the Iraq war, the war that I served 
in, the war that took the lives of my brothers and sisters in uniform, 
the war that took the lives of over 4,000 U.S. servicemembers and over 
100,000 Iraqis.
  Walter shared with me, as he shared with many others, that this vote 
that he took was the biggest regret of his time in public service.
  He shared how when he attended a funeral at Camp Lejeune for a 31-
year-old marine that was killed in Iraq in March of 2003 while 
evacuating wounded troops, everything changed for Walter, because he 
sat there and he heard this marine's widow, in front of their three 
children, read the final letter that this marine sergeant sent home, 
and he saw those three kids, knowing that they would never see their 
father again.
  This impacted him so deeply, and maybe for the first time caused him 
to realize the cost of war and who pays the price. So Walter started 
writing. He wrote over 12,000 letters to families who lost their loved 
ones in both Iraq and Afghanistan and shared how he begged God to 
forgive him for his mistake.
  He memorialized those who died from North Carolina's Camp Lejeune, as 
you see here, with photos that he displayed for all to see before they 
could come inside his office here in Washington.
  He became a leading voice not just in his party, but in Congress, 
pushing for additional oversight over matters of war and peace. He 
called for ending illegal regime-change wars that put our troops' lives 
on the line, leaving their families behind. He pointed out that our 
taxpayer dollars should not be used to be the policeman of the world.
  Walter and I didn't agree on many things, but we also found many 
opportunities to work together on things that we strongly believed in.
  We cosponsored and co-led the No More Presidential Wars Act, which 
rightly put the responsibility back in Congress' hands to declare war, 
as the Constitution provides.
  He cosponsored my bill, the Stop Arming Terrorists Act, to make sure 
that taxpayer dollars are not being used to directly and indirectly 
fund terrorist groups, as we have seen done in both Syria and Yemen.
  We cosponsored the Weekend Voting Act to strengthen voting rights.
  We worked together to strengthen civil liberties and privacy, 
upholding our Fourth Amendment rights.
  Walter was courageous. He didn't care about party politics, and as a 
result, he suffered the consequences in tough primary elections, but he 
didn't care. He never hesitated to stand up for what he believed in.

  So while Walter and I were two very different people coming from two 
very different places, Walter was my dear friend, fellow servicemember, 
and my brother. He will be deeply missed.
  My heart and prayers go out to his family, his friends, and his loved 
ones.
  We all know that Walter's legacy of service and his principles and 
values will continue to live on in Washington, in the Halls of 
Congress, and in the lives of the many people who he touched.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman 
from North Carolina (Mr. Butterfield), another one of our colleagues.
  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Madam Speaker, I rise today, along with my 
colleagues, to remember and honor a great, great public servant, a 
great North Carolinian, devoted husband and father, a man of great 
faith, and my personal friend for over 40 years, Congressman Walter B. 
Jones, Jr.
  And, Madam Speaker, I emphasize the word ``junior,'' because I knew 
Walter's father and knew him very well, for he was the Congressman for 
eastern North Carolina for many years. And though Walter did not use 
``Junior'' in his official name, he was indeed a junior.
  Walter Jones passed away on Sunday, February 10, 2019, on his 76th 
birthday.
  He was a lifelong public servant, serving in the North Carolina 
National Guard for four years, the General Assembly of our State for 
ten years, and the U.S. House of Representatives for 24 long years, 
where he served North Carolina's Third Congressional District.

                              {time}  1945

  Since coming to Congress, I watched Walter cast difficult votes with 
conviction, standing firm in what he believed was right for his 
constituents and for the American people. That is why the people of 
North Carolina's Third District sent him back to Congress again and 
again and again, electing him 13 times since 1994.
  Even as Walter gained seniority in the Congress, he maintained his 
strong conscience and principles. As a senior member of the House 
Committee on Armed Services, Walter was an outspoken and effective 
voice for our military.
  Anyone in eastern North Carolina who knew Walter Jones, or knew of 
him, would know of his love for the military. He was committed to 
safeguarding the well-being of our Nation's veterans and active 
servicemembers. In fact, Congressman Jones sponsored and cosponsored 
more veterans legislation in the last three congressional terms than 
any other sitting Member of Congress.
  Madam Speaker, it was one of the greatest honors of my life for my 
friend, Congressman Walter Jones, to ask me to administer his oath of 
office, which I performed at his Farmville home on January 4, 2019. And 
I might say that his home in Farmville is 20 minutes from my home in 
Wilson.
  I am equally proud to say that a 30-Member delegation traveled to 
Greenville, North Carolina, for the homegoing service for Congressman 
Jones. That 30-Member delegation was led by the dean of our delegation, 
Congressman   David Price, and the ranking Republican among our 
delegation, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx.
  I will miss Walter Jones in these halls and in our beloved State. 
Walter would drive home each week. We would sit right here on the House 
floor each Friday and talk about our weekends. He would tell me how he 
was preparing to drive home and how he dreaded the traffic, but that he 
would offset the dread of the traffic by listening to audiotapes in his 
car while he would drive.
  Madam Speaker, we may have stood on opposite sides of the aisle here 
in the House, but there was always a mutual respect and friendship 
between us. I would say to the gentlewoman from Hawaii who spoke a few 
moments ago that he, too, called me Mr. Chairman. I never understood 
exactly why he would do that, but that was his vocabulary, and I found 
it very honorable that he would do that.
  Although our friend is no longer here, he has left an indelible mark 
on eastern North Carolina, on the House, and on the Nation. May our 
friend, Congressman Walter B. Jones, Jr., rest in peace and have 
eternal life with our Father in Heaven.
  To Joe Anne, Ashley, and all the family and friends of Walter Jones, 
we wish you God's blessings in the years to come.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman 
from eastern North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer), my colleague.
  Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, many in North Carolina and around the 
country are mourning the passing of our friend and colleague, 
Congressman

[[Page H2346]]

Walter B. Jones, just as much as we are. Our dear friend humbly served 
the great people of eastern North Carolina in the State legislature and 
in Congress for more than 30 years. Having known Walter for more than 
23 years, I can attest to his great faith in our creator and his 
servant's heart.
  Congressman Jones was elected to Congress with the 1994 class, and it 
was in his first term that I met him. I was brand new to the Hill 
myself, working for U.S. Senator Jesse Helms at the time. Senator Helms 
and his wife, Dot, quickly became great fans of Walter, so much so--and 
many may not know this--that even after Senator Helms passed, Dot Helms 
would cut radio ads for him up until her passing just a few years ago.
  What Dot and Jesse Helms admired about Walter was no different than 
what everyone else across the State of North Carolina and throughout 
the country who knew him admired: his character, his adherence to his 
convictions, and his commitment to serving others.
  He was a staunch advocate, of course, for those who made the greatest 
sacrifice of all while serving our country. He constantly worked on 
behalf of our troops and veterans every single day, especially those 
who were based in his district at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville and 
Cherry Point in Havelock.
  Congressman Jones dedicated his life to serving others. He stood 
strong for his beliefs and even stronger for his faith, always choosing 
to do what he believed to be best for his constituency, our State, and 
our Nation.
  The citizens of this State and country have lost a great friend whose 
life made a real difference for so many. His honesty, faith, and 
integrity will not be forgotten.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield to the 
distinguished gentleman from Connecticut (Mr. Larson).
  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding, and I thank the dean of the North Carolina delegation for 
putting together this Special Order on behalf of someone who truly 
epitomized the word ``gentleman,'' indeed, ``Southern gentleman,'' 
though not what you may immediately conjure up if you are from the 
North when you think about that gentile Southern person and plantation 
owner.
  His father, who served in this body, was a factory worker. Walter 
grew up with great admiration for his dad, who I was able to talk with 
him about on several occasions on this floor.
  What a special and unique place this Chamber we serve in is, and 
throughout history, how many people have graced these hallowed halls 
and served with distinction. Walter served not only with distinction 
but with an acute humility for what that service meant and for the 
people he represented, most notably, those at Camp Lejeune and, has 
been alluded to already, the thought process that Walter went through 
in coming to the conclusion that he must speak out and oppose a war he 
had voted for. The very troops that he nurtured, cared for, and felt so 
much a part of, he felt honor bound that he must speak on their behalf. 
He could not withstand and was tortured by the memory of looking at the 
little boy who lost his father, knowing that he would never know his 
daddy, as Walter would say.

  I came in with Virginia in 1998. I served on the Armed Services 
Committee with Walter. I was introduced to him by a man from 
Mississippi named Gene Taylor, who said that there is more integrity in 
this man than any Member of the United States Congress. How right he 
was.
  Walter would frequently come over to the corner, as we referred to 
it, and confer with Jack Murtha, my mentor and arguably one of the most 
knowledgeable people in this Chamber and in this body on matters of 
defense, on matters of the military, as he had served as a colonel with 
distinction in Vietnam. Walter would often probe Mr. Murtha about the 
war in Iraq and how bothered he was by that vote.
  Jack would counsel him. When Walter would walk away, Jack Murtha 
would add to the chorus of people who would say: What honor, what 
integrity, what thoughtfulness, what a genuine human being Walter Jones 
is. He cares so deeply about the people he represents and the feeling 
that he had not done the right thing with his vote for Iraq.
  There are a number of reasons why Jack Murtha came out to, 
ultimately, oppose the war in Iraq. But I will always believe that 
Walter's regular pilgrimages over there to talk about the rank-and-file 
soldier, about the person on the frontline and their families behind at 
home, and the fact that people felt they were lied to, played an 
enormous part in Mr. Murtha's decision, two profound figures that I had 
the honor to serve with in this body, both who have passed, both whose 
opposition to the war in Iraq changed the course of events here in this 
country.
  Walter, ever the gentleman, always sincere, always humble, his 
friendship and his acts of kindness are legendary.
  I thank the dean of the North Carolina delegation, who I hold in 
profound regard, because I know he, and everybody here tonight, cares 
deeply about this institution. What makes this institution what it is, 
it is not the splendid hall, but it is the humanity of people like 
Walter Jones who have graced us with his service and his presence, 
indeed, the people who bring honor and dignity and integrity to the 
United States Congress.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield to the 
distinguished gentleman from California (Mr. LaMalfa).

                              {time}  2000

  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Ms. Foxx and Mr. 
Price, both from North Carolina, who have made this opportunity 
fittingly available for all of us here tonight in order to honor our 
friend, Walter Jones.
  I would always encounter him as a low key but kind, gentle, sweet 
soul that he is, around the building; and just in his own way, just 
thumbs up, keep going, encouraging in what we do around here.
  There were a lot of very kind remarks made about him here tonight 
from people that got to serve with him a lot longer than I did, but 
indeed, we hear about how he was a very independent voice. I think 
marching to his own higher standard to what he felt his own integrity 
required, not only as a representative, as a person in this political 
business, but one who is answering to a higher power--the importance of 
God in his life made abundantly clear.
  Indeed, at his service in North Carolina, it really, really hit home 
for me how much that was a part for him.
  As we know, he was very, very unhappy with the Gulf war. And after 
that started, he really--I believe, and the results show--he spent the 
rest of his career trying to find and make and provide comfort for the 
members of the military--and even more so--the Gold Star families, who 
he knows--and we all realize--bear the loss the most when one of theirs 
has fallen.
  I heard that he would write to every single Gold Star family when he 
would learn of one of their loved ones having fallen in conflict, that 
were killed in action.
  He would take his time in that position as a Member of the United 
States House of Representatives, using his name, using that title and 
whatever that carried, to provide comfort and show those families that 
there are people in this place that really, really do recognize--we all 
do--but he went that extra mile for people all over the country, not 
just in his district, to take that care, to take that time. And I 
thought that was pretty amazing.
  Another way that he tried to help was supporting the various programs 
that were out there, to provide those working dogs, a program I have 
encountered, to soldiers that have come home that suffer with PTSD or 
similar-type afflictions, that those comfort dogs could provide 
something unique to them that maybe no human contact can reach for some 
of them.
  He spent a lot of time, a lot of effort in helping with that because 
he did want to make as much of a positive mark on those soldiers as 
possible.
  Most importantly, though, his higher calling he felt, it wasn't here 
to put treasures in this place or in his title. It was the treasures he 
wanted to store in Heaven, as he wanted to do what he could to please 
God and walk with his Savior Jesus Christ. And that is the most 
important thing about Walter Jones and his life and his devotion.
  God bless him and his family and the memory of him to this place.

[[Page H2347]]

  

  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
California (Mr. LaMalfa), and I yield as much time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer).
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman's 
courtesy and my friend, Congressman Price, in bringing us together.
  I am standing in front of the chair here on the floor that I 
routinely occupied, and Walter sat next to me hundreds of hours. It was 
fascinating watching the dynamic on the aisle. I think some people like 
to be on the aisle because it is a place where people come together.
  I watched a parade of people in both parties who would stop, greet 
him, and talk about issues large and small, radiating a sort of 
humanity that at times is in short supply around here.
  Walter epitomized what I think politics should be.
  We talked often about how he was creating problems for himself at 
home. There is probably not a district in the United States that is 
more oriented towards the United States military, as we have heard 
already.
  He comes from a district that is intensely patriotic and more than a 
little Republican. Yet, he charted a path--once he had determined that 
he had made a mistake--he charted a path to try and make it right, not 
just to the Gold Star families, but to having that interaction here on 
the House floor, not in an accusatory fashion for people who may have 
disagreed with him, but just humbly focused on the human consequences 
on the political foibles of Congress.
  He willingly took that burden on; even though he knew that it could 
have cost him his position in Congress. And this is family tradition, 
as is mentioned, I mean his father before him. It mattered a great deal 
to Walter to carry that banner, to serve his constituents and his 
State, but he walked into that storm willingly because he thought it 
was the right thing to do.
  We don't see a lot of that around here, people who can face up to 
mistakes--which we all make. How many of us have as graciously and 
publicly acknowledged our mistakes, attempted to make them right, and 
accept the consequences?
  Walter was a singular human being, and I feel privileged to have sat 
next to him all those hours.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Blumenauer) for his comments. And I now yield 3 minutes to 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gohmert).
  Mr. GOHMERT. Madam Speaker, I thought it was appropriate, FOX News 
had this headline: ``Farewell to Representative Walter Jones--a man who 
lived his life putting people above politics.''
  Another headline from W. James Antle: ``Walter Jones and the Road Not 
Taken.''
  Another from CBN News, Crystal Woodall: ``A Man of Faith, Honesty and 
Integrity.''
  He was all of those. He, I guess, manifested a bit of what Robert 
Frost talked about when he said:

     I shall be telling this with a sigh
     Somewhere ages and ages hence:
     Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
     I took the one less traveled by,
     And that has made all the difference.

  That was Walter Jones.
  He was not going to take the easy way. He was going to--and did--have 
great integrity, great conscience, and fulfilled his commitment to the 
people in his district in North Carolina.
  Those attributes, he would say, go back to his Christian commitment. 
He said on one occasion, There are some documents you can't rewrite, 
and truthfully, one of them is the Bible.
  He said, For over 15 years, I have led the charge to return freedom 
of speech to our churches and houses of worship. During that time, I 
have spoken with countless legal experts, and we believe the clearest 
avenue to rectifying those First Amendment rights is a full repeal of 
the Johnson amendment.
  He also said, America was built on Judeo-Christian values, and these 
values should be protected. During my years in Congress, I have been a 
steadfast supporter of traditional marriage, the unborn, and the free 
exercise of religion.
  Some people think that Christians must hate everybody that disagrees 
with them. And I think Walter Jones was a living example of what a 
Christian should be.
  With that conscience, with love, even for those who hate, Walter had 
that love. And I saw that that last day that   Thomas Massie and I were 
with him.
  God blessed America with Walter Jones.
  God blessed this body with Walter Jones.
  And God blessed me for having a friend like Walter.
  We miss you, Walter.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Gohmert) for his extremely eloquent remarks.
  Madam Speaker, I yield as much time as she may consume to the 
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur).
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North 
Carolina (Ms. Foxx) for helping to organize this evening, as well as 
the dean of the North Carolina delegation,   David Price.
  Truly, so many of us miss Walter Jones among us already. And we thank 
them for this Special Order, this order to celebrate the honorable life 
and service of the late Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina, 
a man of deep conscience and integrity. His word was his bond.
  Madam Speaker, it is with a sense of true sadness, but abiding 
gratitude, that I rise tonight to join all of you as we pay tribute to 
our cherished friend and colleague, Walter, and offer sincerest 
condolences to his beloved wife, Joe Anne and daughter Ashley, to their 
friends, to their family, to his constituents in North Carolina, and 
friends across the country.
  I also rise this evening in memory of his father, Walter Jones, Sr., 
with whom I had the privilege to serve when I was first elected to the 
Congress.
  We both shared a great interest in maritime commerce. And so when 
Walter arrived in Congress, it was my great privilege to serve with his 
son.
  So I was able to serve with Walter during his entire quarter century 
of exemplary service here in the House. And, yes, he was a man of deep 
conscience in an era of utter distraction. He exemplified exceptional 
honor, kindness, and a steady conviction that always stayed true.
  I brought with me today a book Walter gave me entitled, ``Extortion'' 
by Peter Schweizer. And in it Walter inscribed the following message:

       Marcy, may those of us who serve in the U.S. House work 
     together to return the House to the people and not let 
     ``special interests'' continue to influence policy. Thank you 
     for your friendship. God bless America.
       Walter Jones.

  At the time Walter wrote these words, he and I had been talking about 
a bipartisan effort to clean up Congress using our joint efforts, 
traveling to appropriate venues along the way to advance reform of our 
democracy, and get big money out of politics.
  But as the months went by, it became clear that Walter would not be 
able to make this journey, and he bore his wounds with great dignity 
and in silence.
  What a man of courage.
  Walter, as others have said, had a deep passion for the people he 
represented--surely, the Marines of Camp Lejeune and their families and 
colleagues, as these photos attest.
  He would always take to this House floor to compassionately recall 
their patriotic service. He never, ever forgot them.
  The war in Iraq weighed so heavily on him, and his integrity required 
him to speak out. And he did, often.
  His constituents knew the measure of this committed, modest man of 
sterling conviction.

                              {time}  2015

  Walter is held in highest esteem by his colleagues on both sides of 
the aisle, and he will be sorely missed.
  A grateful nation thanks the people of the Third Congressional 
District of North Carolina, and I know all of his constituents join us 
in thanking Walter for his decades of public service and his family for 
all of their sacrifices because he so conscientiously and selflessly 
dedicated himself to our Nation.
  He was true; he was reflective; he was faithful; and he was a 
patriot. His spirit lives right here. I can feel it myself as a beacon 
across this Congress and as a shining star for all to come with 
integrity and moral conviction.

[[Page H2348]]

  May God bring comfort to his family, and may his strength shower them 
to move through this period of deep mourning and come into the sunlight 
again.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman 
for her comments.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho).
  Mr. YOHO. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina 
for yielding.
  As I look at Walter here, it reminds me when I came to Congress in 
2013, my first term here. Walter was one of the first people who 
befriended me.
  We had, over the course of several Congresses, many, many good 
laughs. He was always quick to laugh. He was always gentle, strong in 
his conviction, and he wouldn't hesitate to hold you accountable.
  Every time I went on a codel, he would scold me for spending the 
taxpayers' money. When the codel went to go to his funeral, I said, if 
I went on that codel, Walter would roll over in his grave and yell at 
me, and so I chose not to go just to honor him on that.
  He would give you the shirt off of his back and help you in any way 
he could. There was a Christmas ball, and I had to have a date for my 
daughter because she came up here. I took my wife, and I called Walter. 
He said: ``I don't want to do that, but for you, I will do that.'' That 
is the kind of friend he was. And he walked my daughter in there so 
that she got to go.
  He cared about God, country, his family, the people who serve this 
great Nation, and the people in his district.
  He was held in high esteem, as was evidenced the day when   Thomas 
Massie and Louie Gohmert gave the eulogy here in the talk about Walter. 
That was the quietest this Chamber had ever been without the Speaker 
having to interrupt.
  He was always fun to have a joke with or laugh, and we had many. His 
team is back here, faithfully to the end. Next time we are at a 
reception, we will have a red wine and a cigar in Walter's favor.
  I thank the gentlewoman for doing this, and I thank you, buddy, 
Walter Jones, for the things you did for us.
  God bless.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
his comments.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Pascrell), a long-serving Member and another respected Member of this 
body.
  Mr. PASCRELL. Madam Speaker, to Virginia Foxx and to   David Price, I 
would expect you two to be here. I really would.
  To the gentleman and the gentlewoman and to the staff, I sat quietly 
in the back, but I know what you felt about Walter Jones. I say thank 
you to you for serving him as he served you and all of us.
  In a moment when our Nation cries out for principled leadership, the 
loss of Walter Jones is especially difficult. The challenges we face 
right now really demand the wisdom of men and women like Walter Jones. 
The absence of his voice in our Chamber is devastating.
  Walter Jones was a real patriot. He was gentle but persistent. He was 
fervent but not self-indulged. He was a real winner.
  Our tenures in this place overlapped almost completely, so I had the 
pleasure of working closely with Walter many, many times.
  There is no Member I have served with, man or woman, Democrat or 
Republican, old or young, who was more forthright or was more courteous 
or kind. He was revered for his generosity because that is exactly who 
he was.
  Walter was my friend, and I was his friend. We had been leading an 
effort, both of us, to get Congress to reassert its prerogatives and 
apply oversight of the executive branch of government. Walter stood up 
by himself for this.
  If operating in the minority was a lonely crusade for us, imagine how 
it was for Walter to cast those votes all by himself. He understood the 
song we sing many times on Sunday, ``Be Not Afraid.'' He was not 
afraid, but for Walter Jones, it was just another day at the office.
  Walter made a career standing up by himself, guided solely by what he 
thought was the right thing, and he was often punished for it. He was 
stripped of political clout and prestige for his independence.
  He was a person of faith who respected all faiths. We were all equal 
in Walter's eyes and in Walter's heart. What a lesson. So it is 
important to understand what that really entails.
  There may be nothing more difficult than standing alone. We see every 
day here how challenging it is for men and women to stand up when 
everyone else is lined up against them. So even when you know a 
position, a vote, an act is right, to do it alone takes immense 
confidence, courage, and unswaying principle.
  Walter Jones embodied those qualities as much as anyone who has 
served in the people's House. There was only one Walter Jones, and we 
have lost him. We could use a lot more like Walter. He was not a photo 
op. He was the real thing.
  Thank you. Thank you for your gracious friends who came tonight to 
speak about you, and it was from everyone's heart. I hope that Congress 
learns something.
  Thank you, Walter.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman from 
New Jersey for his eloquent comments.
  Madam Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Tonko) for 
his comments.

  Mr. TONKO. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from North Carolina 
for yielding.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the dean, the gentleman from North Carolina, 
for bringing us together. The delegation has done an awesome bit of 
tribute here to recognize Walter B. Jones, Jr., our colleague who has 
served so faithfully well. I will offer a few comments here. It has 
been a tremendous tribute.
  I do, in my initial comments here, want to extend my condolences to 
his widow and his family and his many friends and colleagues and, in a 
particular way, to his staff.
  To know Walter Jones is to love Walter Jones. I have to believe that 
the relationship that he had with so many and, in particular, his 
family and his extended family, his work family, had to be driven by 
that love, that compassion that was part of him. It was undeniable. It 
was so clearly presented by every step, every thought he shared.
  He was a person of deeply rooted faith. His Christian faith, his 
Catholic faith guided him. He was a pious individual who was not self-
righteous but spoke with such integrity and such deeply rooted beliefs 
that our goal in life is to connect inextricably with everyone and to 
serve everyone.
  He understood the role of a legislator to be compassionate, to 
empathize, to be able to express to the many people who trusted in his 
leadership, to share what needed to be done here.
  And so, tonight, we gather together to offer our thanks to this 
consummate gentleman who was every bit of the way, yes, an individual 
of greatness, but if we do not mention his heart, his kindness, we 
don't capture the individual.
  His kindness worked in several ways. He wove that kindness into every 
bill that he addressed, every vote he undertook, every step that he 
made in his career of public service. He understood that these acts of 
kindness would accumulate to express an individual of greatness.
  His integrity was impeccable. I cherish the many conversations we 
would have on the walk over to the House or in riding in the trolley 
about having a sense of guidance, a sense of how to conduct yourself, 
how to go forth and understand that the work you can address in this 
body affects individuals so greatly.
  Obviously, he was a person who was humble and could acknowledge 
mistakes, as was indicated earlier, to do that publicly and graciously 
as he did when he suggested that the many thousands, the 12,000-plus 
letters that he had drafted to families of dead troops since 2003 was, 
in a sense, an act of penance, a sense of expression that he had erred 
and that he regretted that there were these consequences of war that 
were borne by these many families who lost their loved ones 
prematurely.
  There was a sense of coming together that he would allow all of us to 
share in the efforts for peace. Walter carried himself in a peaceful 
way, a peaceful manner. He was a moral compass for this House, one who 
taught us, by his very actions, that it is essential for us to be bold, 
that our fight to be there for what is just and fair should guide us.

[[Page H2349]]

  Tonight, I acknowledge his great work, his great friendship, his 
great lessons taught. He didn't use or need to use words to teach us. 
His actions spoke louder than any words he could utter. And tonight, we 
say thank you to an individual who is very much missed already in the 
weeks that have passed since his departure from this world.
  Walter, we cherish your memory. It will live forever. You will be the 
measuring stick for Members who serve in this House, and you will be 
that constant reminder, as I look at that kind and loving smile that 
you have worn in this photograph that we have on display on the House 
floor. It has guided us. It will continue to speak to us.
  Your actions are powerful. Your words were so carefully chosen and so 
heartfelt. Your drive to be a just and fair man has earned you an 
eternal reward. Good job, humble and faithful servant.
  God bless you. May you rest in peace.

                              {time}  2030

  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Tonko for 
those words.
  Madam Speaker, as we sometimes say here to keep from using up time we 
shouldn't use, I want to associate myself with all the comments made by 
my colleagues.
  Walter was all of the things that our colleagues have talked about. 
He had a fantastic Southern charm and a fantastic smile. He was humble; 
he exhibited acts of kindness; and he was pious, not self-righteous.
  I regret, as others have said, that I didn't take more time to spend 
with him. But I think even in Walter's death, he has done something we 
talk about doing here and that is to bring the House together on an 
issue.
  We are here to honor a very extraordinary man who did what his 
conscience told him to do, and he sometimes suffered the consequences. 
But I think tonight exhibits that doing the right things for the right 
reasons will be honored and has been honored tonight.
  I thank, again, all the Members who came here tonight to speak on 
Walter's behalf. We all benefited from that.
  I particularly thank the dean of our delegation,   David Price, who 
was a longtime friend of Walter B. Jones, Jr. I thank his assistant, 
Gloria Nlewedim, for her great assistance in this.


                             General Leave

  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent 
that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and 
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the subject of 
my Special Order, because I know there are Members who wish to insert 
their comments because they could not be here.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from North Carolina?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I would ask Mr. Price if 
he has any closing comments he would like to make.
  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for 
presiding over this remarkable series of tributes. It has been a 
memorable evening--more than I could have anticipated--in the array of 
colleagues who have paid tribute and in the kind of emotions stirred in 
all of us, I think, by the memory of a good friend and a good man, but 
also a sense of the values and the affection that binds us together 
here.
  It is too bad, perhaps, that it took an occasion of this sort to 
bring this out. But I will never forget it, and we will never forget 
Walter Jones and what he meant to all of us, so I thank the gentlewoman 
so much.
  Ms. FOXX of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I again thank Mr. Price 
for his contribution to this evening, and I agree with the gentleman. 
It is unfortunate sometimes that it takes a death to bring out these 
kinds of comments and this kind of camaraderie. We must remember 
tonight and practice it more often.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to our colleague 
Walter Jones, who passed away last month. Walter was my friend. Ever 
collegial and kind, he saw this institution for the good it could do 
for his constituents and for our country.
  I admired Walter for his candor and for his patriotism. Over the 
years, I watched him make very difficult decisions, take very difficult 
votes. He did so out of principle. He stood up for what he believed.
  It's no surprise that Walter had so many friends on both sides of the 
aisle. And it's no surprise either why the people of North Carolina's 
coastal communities sent him back to Congress election after election. 
Those of us who served with him could also see the extraordinary love 
he had for his wife Joe Anne and for their daughter Ashley.
  We will miss Walter Jones in this House. I will miss my friend. We 
all are better off for having served with him, and this House and this 
country are better off for his service.
  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life 
of my friend and colleague, Walter Beaman Jones, Jr., who passed away 
on February 10, 2019 at the age of 76. His passing is a deep loss to 
this institution, and we miss him dearly in the House of 
Representatives. Walter was proud to represent North Carolina's 3rd 
congressional district, a geographically diverse district, for over 24 
years and always found a way to address the concerns of his coastal 
constituency as well as his rural inland residents.
  Those who knew Walter remember a tenacious, earnest and passionate 
Member of Congress, who tirelessly fought for what was right. 
Throughout his 24 years in Congress, Walter represented his district 
and constituents with a passion and intensity that I think we each 
strive to emulate. He followed a moral compass that rarely took him off 
course. In the rare event that it did, he did not let himself off the 
hook and dedicated his life and career to right any wrong. Walter was 
known for saying: ``I would rather do what I think is right than to 
sell my political soul.''
  Walter spent much of his career in Congress serving on the Armed 
Services Committee. In this capacity, he stood up for military 
families, investigated corruption within the Department of Defense, and 
was relentless in his pursuit to bring our troops home from Iraq. 
Walter sent over 12,000 letters to families who had lost loved ones 
overseas and gave over 150 floor speeches to clear the names of two 
Marine Corps pilots who were unfairly blamed for a deadly military 
accident. He was also passionate about renaming the Department of the 
Navy to the Department of the Navy and the Marine Corps to better 
reflect the service and sacrifice of our Marines. Walter was one of the 
most independent voices in Congress. He was never afraid to vote 
against his party or President if it was what he thought was best for 
his constituents, his district, and the nation.
  I had the opportunity to work closely with Walter on several 
legislative initiatives. He was the lead Republican cosponsor of the 
Youth Promise Act, a comprehensive juvenile justice bill that I first 
introduced in 2007. We were proud to have core provisions of the Youth 
Promise Act included in the Juvenile Justice Reform Act passed by 
Congress and signed by President Trump late last year. We also worked 
together on legislation to protect the mid-Atlantic coast from offshore 
drilling.
  Madam Speaker, the House of Representatives lost one of its most 
dedicated public servants last month. We were all lucky and privileged 
to know and work with Walter Jones. I join my colleagues in expressing 
our sympathy to Walter's wife Joe Anne, his family, many friends, and 
constituents for their loss.
  Mr. HOLDING. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of my good friend and former colleague, Congressman Walter B. Jones.
  For nearly a quarter century, Walter Jones served his country and the 
people of North Carolina with steadfast dedication, conviction, and 
integrity.
  A man of deep faith, Walter Jones' kindness and servants heart earned 
him the affection of all who knew him.
  In Washington, Walter Jones was a rare breed who truly broke the 
mold. He was an independent-minded public servant who rose above the 
trappings of partisan politics and political parties to vote his 
conscience, no matter the consequences.
  Lucy and I send our heartfelt prayers and deepest condolences to his 
wife Joe Anne, his daughter Ashley, and the entire Jones family during 
this difficult time.
  Our nation and the state of North Carolina are better off today 
because of Walter Jones' principled and steadfast public service. I 
will forever be honored to call Walter my friend and colleague.
  Ms. ADAMS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of my colleague, 
Representative Walter Jones, Jr.
  For 24 years, Congressman Jones represented the people of North 
Carolina's 3rd Congressional District with pride and integrity.
  In his quarter century in service to our great country, Congressman 
Jones was a steadfast voice and advocate for North Carolina.
  He was unafraid to put people before politics. He was a dedicated 
public servant.

[[Page H2350]]

  And he was a principled leader.
  He stood firmly for what he believed--and wasn't afraid to admit when 
he made a mistake.
  2 Corinthians 5:8 reminds us that `to be absent from the body is to 
be present with the Lord.'
  I pray that my friend has now found the peace he sought.
  To his wife, Joe Anne, and his daughter, Ashley--please know that 
Walter left an indelible mark upon our state and nation.
  Let all Members of the estimable body learn and profit from the 
example of Congressman Walter Jones, Jr.
  He will be missed.

                          ____________________