[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 111 (Friday, June 27, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E632-E633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF SENATOR DAVID L. JORDAN UPON HIS 
       RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 27, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great 
pride and deep respect to honor the life and remarkable public service 
of Mississippi State Senator David L. Jordan--a man whose journey from 
the cotton fields of Leflore County to the Mississippi State Capitol is 
not just inspiring--it's the story of Mississippi, and of America at 
its best.
  Senator Jordan was born in rural Leflore County Mississippi, the 
youngest of five children in a sharecropping family. He began working 
in the cotton fields as soon as he was big enough to carry a sack. Like 
so many children in that era, he missed a lot of school during harvest 
season. But even then, young David knew education was the key to 
something more. And he never stopped pushing toward it.
  He worked nights washing dishes at a Holiday Inn while putting 
himself through Mississippi Valley State University and later earned a 
master's degree in chemistry from the University of Wyoming. That kind 
of grit--working all night, studying all day--is something we don't 
talk about enough in politics. But that's the kind of man Senator 
Jordan is.
  He began his professional life as a science teacher, but his heart 
was always with the community. In 1985, he made history as the first 
African American elected to the Greenwood City Council, where he served 
with quiet strength and fierce dedication for 36 years. He became a 
trusted leader, someone people turned to for guidance and fairness, no 
matter the issue.
  In 1993, he was elected to the Mississippi State Senate, representing 
District 24. For over three decades, Senator Jordan has been a powerful 
voice for his consituents--a calm presence in moments of tension, a 
mentor to

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younger legislators, and a relentless advocate for civil rights, public 
health, education, and voting access.
  And he didn't just talk the talk--he marched, boycotted, organized, 
and educated. He helped people understand how to vote, how to be heard, 
and how to stand up for their communities. He's led with humility, 
wisdom, and a deep love for the people of Mississippi.
  Now at 92 years old, Senator Jordan is preparing to conclude his 
official duties on June 30, but his legacy will not end there. He lives 
in Greenwood, Mississippi, with his wife, Christine Bell-Jordan, his 
partner in life and service.
  Senator Jordan once said, ``I didn't stop there. I just kept on 
pushing.'' That simple sentence says everything about him. He kept 
pushing--for himself, for his community, and for justice. He is the 
kind of public servant we should all strive to be.
  His memoir, From the Mississippi Cotton Fields to the State Senate, 
tells the full story of his journey. It's a powerful reminder of what 
is possible when courage and commitment meet opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful state and Nation, I thank 
Senator David L. Jordan, not just for what he accomplished, but for how 
he did it. With integrity. With purpose. With heart.