The Honorable Donna F. Edwards
Honoring the Life and Service of Delegate Christine M. Jones
February 6, 2013
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Christine M. Jones, a resident of Temple Hills in the Fourth Congressional District of Maryland. She unexpectedly passed from this life on January 26, 2013. As her funeral service is this coming Friday at Bethlehem Baptist Church on Martin Luther King Avenue in Southeast Washington, DC, I want to remember the legacy Ms. Jones leaves behind.
Ms. Christine Jones’s long and distinguished career served the people of Maryland for over 40 years both as a teacher in Prince George’s County and in the Maryland House of Delegates. Delegate Jones served as a mentor and inspiration to countless individuals throughout our state. All of Maryland mourns the loss of a great woman and unparalleled public servant.
Delegate Jones was born in Navasota, Texas, on Christmas Day in 1929. She graduated from the historically black university, Huston – Tillotson University, in Austin, Texas, in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Delegate Jones had a long career as a teacher and educator in the Prince George’s County Public Schools system and specialized in physical education. Just as she lived her life, she stressed service to those students that were lucky enough to have her as a teacher and mentor.
After a 30 year career as an educator, Ms. Jones decided to continue her public service on behalf of Prince George’s County by becoming the first African American to represent the County in the Maryland General Assembly. She represented the 26th Legislative District in the House of Delegates from 1982-1994. Delegate Jones rose to the position of vice chairman of the County’s delegation and was the first woman to serve as chairperson of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland. In her last year in office in 1994, she worked as the Assembly’s assistant majority floor leader. The Legislative Black Caucus recognized Delegate Jones for her contributions and service to the state of Maryland and its residents in 2010.
After her time in office, Delegate Jones continued to be active in her community through service in political, educational, and religious organizations. With her passing, it is my hope that Christine M. Jones has found the peace earned from such a wonderful life. Delegate Jones made a difference in our community with everything she did, and I am grateful for her life and service to Prince George’s County, Maryland, and our country.
On behalf of this House, I extend our condolences to her entire family, especially her son, Robert E. Jones, Jr., her three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, and the thanks of a grateful nation.
