[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 37 (Thursday, February 29, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E199]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING THE 95TH BIRTHDAY OF FORMER STATE REPRESENTATIVE THOMAS 
                                 JASPER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 29, 2024

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, today, I stand to honor Former 
State Representative Thomas Jasper, a gentleman near and dear to the 
citizens of New Orleans and Louisiana's Second Congressional District, 
as he celebrates his 95th Birthday.
  Native New Orleanian Thomas Jasper was born on February 23, 1929, An 
ambitious and promising young man that attended Booker T. Washington 
Sr. High School in the 2nd Congressional District. After high school, 
he served in the United States Armed Forces and later graduated from 
Southern University at New Orleans. He is a notable accountant and 
professional, serving in several key administrative positions in city 
and state governments. He proudly and successfully served the Lower 
Nine Housing Development Corporation, Minority Business Development, 
and Louisiana State Office of Minority Affairs under the leadership of 
former Louisiana Governors Edwards and David Treen and former City of 
New Orleans Mayor Sidney Barthelemy.
  In 1976, he was elected to serve as Louisiana State Representative to 
House District 102 in the Lower Ninth Ward. He was a co-founding member 
of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. He completed his tenure in 
1980. He consistently demonstrated servant leadership acumen by being 
elected to the New Orleans State Central Democratic Committee and 
Democratic National Convention as a delegate.
  From 2016 through 2021, it was an honor to have his support and 
insight as my trusted Advisor during my term as Louisiana State 
Senator. Mr. Jasper also was my trusted Advisor during my tenures at 
Councilman of District C in New Orleans, Louisiana from 1994 to 2002.
  Avid community leader Mr. Jasper can always be found helping others 
in the community, advising on business development, and providing 
referrals to resources.
  A pillar of Mr. Jasper's family upbringing is the biblical teachings 
regarding service to all God's children. As a young man and throughout 
most of his adult years, Mr. Jasper was a member of the Historic Second 
Baptist Church, serving as a Sanctuary choir member under Rev. Thomas 
Nelson Washington. A man dedicated to the will of God, he was regularly 
found in Sunday school, singing in the Choir and being a guest soloist 
on church programs across the city, and he continues to do so today. 
Currently, he worships at the First Agape Baptist Church, where he 
serves as a senior deacon and treasurer under the ministry of the Rev. 
Eddie M. Payne. Mr. Jasper loves to minister in song. He favors the 
older spirituaIs like ``I'll Tell it Wherever I Go'' and ``King Jesus 
Will Roll All Burdens Away'' but is most inspired by ``What a Blessing 
in Jesus I've Found.''
  His favorite scripture is Romans 8:38-39 is his message to his 
children and grandchildren--``Be prayerful, have faith and trust in 
God, and let nothing separate you from the love of God, which is in 
Christ Jesus.''
  Mr. Jasper is the son of Samuel and Louise Jasper, devoted husband of 
Florence Harrell for 74 blessed years, and has reared three children, 
Gwendolyn Jasper Barnes, Nedra Jasper Alcorn, and the late Rev. Glenn 
Thomas Jasper. He is the proud grandfather of six grandchildren and 
doting great-grandfather of eight great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Jasper is a mighty man of service, and today, he continues to 
serve as my purpose-driven mentor and father figure. He has encouraged 
me through all of my dreams throughout my career. He is genuinely a 
patriarch to many who continue to cross his path and will always be a 
part of my journey as I lead the constituents of the 2nd Congressional 
District of Louisiana. He is my dear friend and mentor, and I hope to 
be the mentor to others as he has been for me.
  On this day, I wish my dear friend a Happy and Blessed Birthday, and 
may he see many more.

                          ____________________