[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 22]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29396]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     MS. BERTHA M. JONES--AGRICULTURALIST, PHILANTHROPIST, CHAMPION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 3, 2009

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, it gives me immense 
pleasure to recognize the life and legacy of one of America's most 
prolific champions of agricultural education and science, Ms. Bertha M. 
Jones.
  Ms. Jones is a native of Huntsville, AL, where she first found her 
love for agriculture and appreciation for the mystical wonders of 
nature. Ms. Jones graduated from State Agricultural and Mechanical 
Institute in Alabama, currently known as Alabama A&M in 1945, receiving 
her Bachelor's of Science in Home Economics. After completing her 
undergraduate studies, Ms. Jones began her career in Luverne, Alabama 
as a Negro Home Demonstration Agent servicing Crenshaw County for more 
than a decade.
  In 1956, Ms. Bertha received her Master's of Education in Home 
Economics from Penn State University and shortly thereafter served as a 
State 4-H Agent for Negro Girls at Tuskegee Institute, currently known 
as Tuskegee University. During that period Ms. Jones was responsible 
for 4-H publications and 4-H administration for 37 county agents. Her 
desire for scholastic achievement led her to further her studies at 
both Prairie View A&M and George Washington University.
  Ms. Bertha Jones lives by the motto, ``4-H Is Life'', devoting 
countless hours towards the educational and economic growth of young 
people throughout the region. Ms. Jones believed that every young 
person should be exposed to the 4-H experience because it was 
instrumental in life skills development. Ms. Jones served multiple 
roles both locally and nationally for 4-H related junctures, including 
membership on the National and State 4-H Congress Committees, the 4-H 
Food Preservation and 4-H DOT Committees as well as the 4-H Advisory 
Committee. Ms. Jones was also the first State Leader for Urban 4-H in 
both Mobile and Huntsville, AL.
  Ms. Jones has authored and co-authored numerous publications 
dedicated to advancing agricultural studies among rural and urban 
communities. Some of her works are comprised of the 4-H Officer 
Training Handbook, Clean Look and Your Health, and the History of 
Negroes in Cooperative Extension, which she co-authored with Dr. 
Richard Bailey. Not only has she authored and co-authored publications, 
Ms. Jones also has been featured in publications such as They Too Call 
Alabama Home: African American Profiles, 1800-1999, written also by Dr. 
Bailey.
  Ms. Jones is a noted philanthropist of local 4-H efforts, giving not 
only financial resources but also substantial amounts of time towards 
helping enrich and increase the growing knowledge among young people 
about 4-H procedures and practices, willing monetary support for those 
wishing to expand their knowledge through involvement in 4-H activities 
or pursuit of higher education.
  During the course of her career, Ms. Jones received a number of 
plaques, certificates and awards of recognition and achievement. Some 
of her most treasured awards include a Presidential Citation for the 
National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education as well 
as her 2004 induction into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Not only has 
Ms. Jones received citation and notary inductions but she also has a 
conference room dedicated in her honor at Alabama A&M in the Home 
Economics Department.
  Ms. Jones was a faithful steward of the Greenwood Missionary Baptist 
Church in Tuskegee, AL where she served as an active member of their 
congregation since 1970. During her membership Ms. Jones served in 
several capacities including the choir, the Pastor's Aid Committee and 
as a devoted Sunday school teacher.
  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to recognize one of the 
finest agricultural icons in American history, Ms. Bertha M. Jones. Her 
achievements and contributions to the world of agricultural science 
will never be forgotten.

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