[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 149 (Monday, August 23, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E916]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MS. JEWELL BELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DIANA HARSHBARGER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, August 23, 2021

  Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Jewell Bell, 
a beloved pillar of King University and Bristol, Tennessee. Ms. Bell 
has dedicated over 70 years of service to this excellent academic 
institution and the well-being of its students. Her tenure spans nearly 
half of King's 152-year history. She began as a maid in the women's 
dormitory. In 1961, while Bristol's public schools were still 
segregated, she was promoted to switchboard Operator and Supervisor and 
given a staff of 10 assistants. She was the first African American in 
the region to manage a switchboard, for which she became affectionately 
known as ``Ma Bell.'' In 1966, her son, Lawrence, Jr. became the first 
African American student to attend King. As the Executive 
Administrative Assistant for Communications, she remains the voice of 
King, answering calls and serving the President's office.
  Jewell's legacy of community service is notable as well. She has 
earned the Algenon Sydney Sullivan Award, the YWCA's Tribute to Women 
Award, the first ever King University Lifetime Achievement Award, her 
own lane on the campus named after her, and being declared an Aide-de-
Camp by former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, an honor that carries 
with it the title of Tennessee Colonel. In addition, King University 
offers a scholarship named the Jewell H. Bell Scholarship, which goes 
to help students who, as she describes, ``have fallen through the 
cracks and need a little extra help to stay in school.'' She has 
devoted many years of service to the YWCA of Northeast Tennessee and 
Southwest Virginia, the American Red Cross, Slater Community Center, 
Healing Hands Health Center, and Lee Street Baptist Church. While her 
children were in school, she served on the PTA and was the first 
African American PTA Council President in the Bristol, Tennessee, city 
school system.
  Her legacy of love includes being married to her late husband, 
Lawrence, for 50 years, three grown children, seven grandchildren, 13 
great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. In her words, she 
says ``my children are grown now, but King is still my home, the 
students are my family and I love them. Some of my family call me Gran, 
some call me GG, JB, Miss Jewell, plain Jewell, Mrs. Bell, or Ma Bell. 
I feel like God has enabled me to be here so long because of them, and 
I believe I've made an impact.''
  Madam Speaker, Jewell Bell has been a source of wisdom, compassion 
and support for students and alumni, as well as a strong community 
advocate for racial equality and positive change and I proudly honor 
her.

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