[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 13, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MARTHA JANE WEST

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. WESLEY BELL

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2025

  Mr. BELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life, service, and 
unwavering commitment of Ms. Martha Jane West--a proud educator, 
community advocate, and lifelong champion for equity and justice--who 
passed peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025, surrounded by her loving 
family in Mississippi, following a lengthy illness.
  Born in Dyer, Tennessee, Ms. West charted a path of purpose early in 
life. She earned her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from 
Tennessee State University in 1953, a proud alumna who remained deeply 
involved with her alma mater throughout her life. Each summer during 
her college years, she visited St. Louis with her cousin, forging a 
bond with the city that would eventually become her lifelong home.
  Following her graduation, Ms. West settled in St. Louis, living for 
more than three decades on the 5100 block of Greer Avenue in the 
Kingsway West neighborhood. Her commitment to education was unwavering. 
She began her career at the Nursery Foundation--the first integrated 
nursery school in St. Louis--before dedicating herself to the St. Louis 
County Special School District, where she served students with the 
highest needs for over 40 years before her retirement.
  Beyond the classroom, Ms. West gave tirelessly to her faith community 
at Lane Tabernacle Methodist Church, where she had been a devoted 
member since 1960. She shared her time, talent, and treasure as part of 
the Kitchen Committee and the Trustee Auxiliary Club, visiting the 
sick, supporting the elderly, feeding the hungry, and collecting 
clothing for those in need.
  Her sense of civic duty extended far beyond her church walls. She was 
deeply engaged in local politics and social justice. As a precinct 
captain in the former 20th Ward, she registered voters, attended the 
Democratic National Convention in the 1980's, and proudly cast her 
ballot for President Barack Obama in 2008. She was an active member of 
the NAACP, the Coalition of Black Trade Unions, the Organization for 
Black Struggle, and the Tennessee State University Alumni Association. 
Whether speaking out at St. Louis Public School board meetings or 
calling into the iconic Onion Horton radio show, Ms. West's voice was 
one of courage, conviction, and clarity.
  Ms. West never shied away from the front lines in the fight for 
justice. She was a visible force in demonstrations to protect and honor 
the legacy of Homer G. Phillips Hospital in the Ville neighborhood. She 
also knew how to celebrate her community--supporting local clubs and 
causes through galas, dances, and events. Among her proudest 
philanthropic efforts was serving as the number one booster for TSU 
during its annual alumni fundraiser dinner and dance.
  Ms. Martha Jane West was a woman of principle, purpose, and boundless 
compassion. Her legacy lives on in the countless students she nurtured, 
the communities she uplifted, and the lives she so profoundly impacted.
  Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
extraordinary life of Ms. Martha Jane West. May her service be 
remembered, her example be followed, and her family be comforted with 
the peace and pride of knowing her legacy will endure. '

                          ____________________