[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 138 (Tuesday, August 4, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E724]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR OF THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ROSA JAMES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 4, 2020

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor 
the life and legacy of Ms. Rosa James: an invaluable leader in Kansas 
City's African American community who dedicated her life to improving 
public education issues, encouraging voter registration, and addressing 
civil and racial injustices. On Tuesday, July 22, 2020, Ms. Rosa James 
was called home to heaven after a profoundly impactful 86 years of life 
and service.
  Ms. Rosa James was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina where 
she received the bulk of her education. In the early 1960s, Ms. James 
moved to Kansas City, Missouri where she served as a reading specialist 
for the Kansas City Public Schools for the next 36 years. Ms. James 
retired from this work in 1998 but remained committed to serving the 
education system. Ms. James also befriended and mentored future 
superintendent Mark Bedell--a testament to her desire to positively 
shape education in Kansas City for generations to come. Ms. James' 
retirement would only be the beginning of her journey to solving 
persistent issues and working to dismantle injustices.
  Ms. Rosa James also spent many years of her life bridging the racial 
divides that continue to persist throughout our nation today. As 
someone who came of age and worked when the African American Civil 
Rights movement was at its peak, Ms. James dedicated herself to 
furthering the movement and actively advocated for the adoption of 
various civil rights bills in the 1960s. Even after the Civil Rights 
Act of 1964 was passed, Ms. James continued to work toward racial 
justice, serving as a board member for the Southern Christian 
Leadership Conference (SCLC) and as an executive committee member for 
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). 
Her work with the NAACP earned her the Kansas City Spirit Award and the 
NAACP President's award. Ms. James also served as the 7th-ward 
committeewoman for the Jackson County Democratic Committee, helping 
distribute ballot information on election days, and would serve as a 
member of the municipal judicial nominating commission.
  The profound impacts Ms. Rosa James had on the Greater Kansas City 
area extended to the citizens and those she worked with and mentored as 
well, always having a positive effect on everyone with whom she 
interacted. Dr. Mark Bedell, Superintendent of Kansas City Public 
Schools, said that Ms. James ``was a great, great lady who genuinely 
cared about this school district and the children in this community.'' 
Each and every person that knew Ms. James, even those whom she simply 
helped register to vote, attest not only to her incredible commitment 
to bettering the community and the city, but also to her warm-hearted 
kindness that filled the room.
  Ms. James was someone who had a passion for public service, positive 
change, and bringing about that change. In every instance where there 
was an injustice, she was there, standing alongside others attempting 
to fix it. Her immeasurable commitment to bettering public schools, 
registering voters, and addressing racial injustices, along with her 
cheerful nature and friendly demeanor, left a lasting impact on many 
Kansas Citians. Her legacy is defined by meaningful change, leadership, 
selflessness, and compassion. Madam Speaker, please join Missouri's 
Fifth Congressional District in honoring the life of Ms. Rosa James.

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