[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LIFE OF SHELBY JACOBS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE LEVIN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2022

  Mr. LEVIN of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
remarkable life of Shelby Jacobs, who passed away on Monday September 
5, 2022, in Oceanside, California. Mr. Jacobs is survived by his wife 
Elizabeth Portillo-Jacobs, his daughter Shelley Modaff, and his 
granddaughter Shelby Beverly Jacobs.
  Due to his extraordinary contributions to the country and his life as 
a trailblazer, I selected Mr. Jacobs as my first Constituent of the 
Month on March 8, 2019.
  Born in Dallas, Texas, on April 27, 1935, Mr. Jacobs demonstrated an 
exceptional ability for math and science as well as a strong work ethic 
from an early age. After moving to California when he was eight, Mr. 
Jacobs began working on farms and in restaurants to help support his 
family before going on to study engineering.
  For 40 years, Mr. Jacobs worked on NASA's Apollo and Space Shuttle 
programs, serving as the project manager of the Apollo-Soyuz orbiter 
and designer of the camera that captured the iconic 1968 Apollo 6 
rocket separation.
  As an African American working in an industry with few people of 
color, Mr. Jacobs often faced discrimination and was overlooked for his 
contributions. While employed by the Rocketdyne division of North 
American Aviation, he was one of eight African Americans out of 5,000 
engineers at that time. Despite the barriers he faced, Mr. Jacobs went 
on to be a role model to younger generations, pushing for equality and 
progress throughout his life.
  In 2008, Mr. Jacobs was officially recognized by NASA as one of the 
space program's ``Unsung Heroes'' and he is remembered as one of the 
``Hidden Figures.'' Additionally, his work was highlighted in the 
Columbia Memorial Space Center's ``Achieving the Impossible'' exhibit.
  Mr. Jacobs moved to Oceanside in 1996 with his family and quickly 
became an active member of the community, sharing his knowledge and 
unique life story with his neighbors and the public.
  Madam Speaker, it has been an honor to celebrate Shelby Jacobs' 
remarkable life and his legacy which continues to inspire.

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