[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 20, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E163]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING ERNA JE'NEEN FRENCH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. CORI BUSH

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 20, 2024

  Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, I, along with the people of St. Louis, rise to 
honor and celebrate the life and legacy of Erna Je'Neen French. Erna 
was a giant in the gospel community, a mother, grandmother, and sister 
who dedicated her life to spreading the joy and love of God through her 
powerful voice.
  Erna professed her devotion to Jesus Christ at the early age of five, 
and she knew she would one day be a famous gospel singer. Inspired by 
her mother Lavera, gospel music was always central to Erna's life. Erna 
was a scholar of spiritual hymns, and she understood the weight those 
verses carried. Before the age of 12, Erna recorded three national 
gospel records with the Thomas A. Dorsey National Convention of Gospel 
Choirs and Choruses under the St. Louis Gospel Choral Union, the O'Neal 
Twins, and the Stan Lee Gospel Music Workshop. Later in her life, Erna 
recorded with numerous artists and ministries nationally and 
internationally and was a member of the Gospel Music Workshop of 
America, the Sanctified POSSE, GEMCA, Dello Thedford and the Gospel 
Symphonic Choir, Rusty Watson, One Voice, the Psalms of David, and 
countless other ministries. In 2018, Erna accomplished a lifelong dream 
releasing her project ``Always'' with the help of Levi Too King.
  A student of the University City School District, she was a proud 
member of the graduating class of 1985. In 1986, Erna began a career as 
a professional driver. She drove school buses until 1998 when she 
joined the Bistate Development Agency/Metro St. Louis Transit Agency, 
from which she retired in 2021.
  Most importantly, Erna loved spending time with her family. Her 
daughter Alysha De'Nise French and grandson CJ were the lights of her 
life. Erna shared her deep passion for gospel music with her older 
sister, Monica. I offer my deepest condolences on behalf of Missouri's 
First District to Erna's entire family and all those who loved her.

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