[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 19 (Monday, January 30, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S144-S145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       REMEMBERING QUBILAH JONES

 Mr. COTTON. Mr. President, as the new year began, an 
exceptional life tragically ended. The State of Arkansas lost a 
powerful voice and community leader when Qubilah Jones passed away, age 
45, after a 14-year battle against lymphedema.
  Qubilah was born in Corpus Christi, TX, but her legacy and her heart 
are in Jonesboro, AR. Qubilah was a daily companion to countless 
Arkansans as the host of KLEK's ``Community Conversations,'' a morning 
show where she interviewed hundreds of leaders about faith, government, 
and community involvement.
  Qubilah had a God-given gift for words, and she was a relentless 
advocate for northeast Arkansas. She was a pillar of her church, New 
Mount Zion Baptist Church, where she produced the church newspaper. She 
was a curious soul who returned to education later in life, put in the 
work, and ultimately earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from 
Arkansas State University and Grand Canyon University. She was the 
driving force behind community celebrations such as KLEK's award-
winning Juneteenth in Jonesboro Celebration. She was a proud and active 
alumna of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta. And perhaps above all, she 
was a loving mother to her son, Quante Jeffrey.
  For these accomplishments, and for the more than 2,000 hours of 
community service that Qubilah performed, the city of Jonesboro named 
her Volunteer of the Year in 2017.
  More incredible still, Qubilah accomplished these things while 
battling lymphedema, an incurable disease that slowly sapped her 
mobility and strength. She spoke often on her radio show and podcast 
about living with a serious illness, providing advice and consolation 
to those who had their own cross to bear. But even as the disease took 
its toll on her body, it could not wipe away her warm smile or 
infectious laughter. Qubilah's sister, Gwen

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Henderson, put it well: ``as she declined in mobility, she never 
declined in spirit.''
  Qubilah's battle against disease set her up for one last act of 
service--one of her greatest. After witnessing the suffering that 
lymphedema can cause, she became a restless and passionate advocate for 
the Lymphedema Treatment Act, a bill to ensure that compression 
treatment items essential to managing the disease are covered by 
Medicare. I was proud to cosponsor that bill, along with 73 of my 
Senate colleagues. And on December 23, just 1 week before Qubilah 
passed from this life, that bill became law. Countless Americans 
suffering from lymphedema will get needed relief as a result. It is yet 
another part of Qubilah's extraordinary legacy of service.
  The city of Jonesboro, the State of Arkansas, the U.S. Senate, and 
all those touched by Qubilah's words and deeds mourn the loss of the 
``Voice of Jonesboro.'' May she rest in peace.

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