Political Quotes

“In this season of trying and tough times made even tougher by the skullduggery of the Republican Members of this body, I rise today to pay tribute to my personal hero and longtime friend, Ms. Jewel Barker, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday. Mama Jewel, as she is affectionately known to so many, was born November 3, 1927, in Solgohachia, Arkansas. She grew up in Wardell, Missouri, and attended Central High School in Hayti, Missouri, and later she attended the Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, Mama Jewel always felt a strong drive to improve her life which led to her residing and working in Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri, before settling in our hometown of Chicago, Illinois, in 1956. Though she worked several jobs, her aspiration was to return to school to earn her teaching credentials. She attained this goal by receiving a master's degree in education from the Chicago Teachers College and, in later years, a master's degree from DePaul University in Chicago. Her love of justice for all people did not stop there. Her support for civil rights and equality culminated in her serving as ``Mama'' to the Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party. During Mama Jewel's 38 years as an educator, she served as a teacher, mentor, counselor, role model, and as a mother figure to many. She worked tirelessly, Mr. Speaker, with students and family members in programs that met before school, after school, and even on weekends.…”