[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 137 (Friday, August 19, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E862]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF ELLA SEWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MARK DeSAULNIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, August 19, 2022

  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
service of Ella Sewell.
  Ella was born in Houston, Texas to Walter and Octavia Lee Taylor. She 
was a dedicated student and was named valedictorian of her high school. 
She married her husband, Lowell Giddings Sewell, and the couple moved 
to Richmond, California when Lowell was offered a job at the Kaiser 
Shipyards.
  Throughout her life, Ella has been heavily involved in activism and 
has shown her passion for serving her community. In the 1940s, Ella 
advocated for equal voting rights for African Americans and helped to 
get many members of the community registered to vote. Additionally, for 
over 16 years Ella served on the Richmond-Shimada Friendship 
Commission. As a part of this program, Ella hosted ambassadors from 
Japan and shared African American culture and history with them. Ella 
also took on multiple leadership roles within the Easter Hill UM Church 
and helped to introduce several programs to the congregation.
  In her personal life, Ella enjoyed spending time with her family and 
expressing her creativity through dancing and cooking. Ella's love for 
cooking was passed along to her by her father and uncles. She also 
loved playing cards and enjoying barbecues with her family and friends.
  Sadly, Ella passed away on July 10, 2021. She is survived by her 
daughter, Gloria, her sons, Michael (Gladys) and David, four 
grandchildren, four great grandchildren, two god-sisters, and three 
god-granddaughters. She was a cherished member of our community and she 
will be remembered for her compassion, intelligence, and dedication. 
Please join me in honoring Ella Sewell for her many contributions to 
our community.

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