In Memory of Mrs. Ada M. Jackson Lee

Floor Speech

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Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a devoted wife, loving mother, doting grandmother, community servant, and Civil Rights icon, Mrs. Ada M. Jackson Lee. Family, friends, and community leaders will celebrate the Fourth Anniversary of her passing and 100th birthday on April 6, 2024, at Ada Lee Park in Warner Robins, Georgia.

The journey of the remarkable life of Ada Lee began on March 6, 1924, when she was born to the union of the late Mr. Lewis D. Jackson and the late Mrs. Annie B Jackson in Wellston, Georgia.

A lifelong and persistent learner, Mrs. Lee graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and the Culinary Arts Program at The Fort Valley State University. She went on to work as an Urban Renewal specialist where she later retired.

She was married to the late Sylvester Lee and to this union three children were born. Daron Lewis Lee, Virey Anne Ferguson and Dorothea Rita Scott. Mrs. Lee was a woman after God's own heart who served her community with distinction and pride. ``It has been said that service is the rent that we pay for the space that we occupy here on this earth.'' Mrs. Lee paid her rent, and she paid it well. She was nothing short of a trailblazer with several historic firsts for the Warner Robins community--first Director of the Warner Robins Day Care Center, she formed the first Girl Scout Troop for African-American girls and the first Director of the Head Start Program in Warner Robins.

When Mrs. Lee saw a need in the community, she made sure that it was addressed. When she saw a need for a safe space for children to play, she approached the mayor and made it happen. Now that same park is named in her honor. She was a strong advocate for her community and for women. She truly believed in the words of Shirley Chisolm, ``if they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.'' Because of her lifetime service she was recognized with many awards to include The Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis for Outstanding Volunteer Services, The NAACP Trailblazer Award, Ms. Senior Warner Robins as well as one of the fifty Influential Women in Middle Georgia.

She gave her time, talent, and treasure to many organizations to include Board Member of the Family Support Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Warner Robins Housing Authority, Houston County Democratic Advisory, Warner Robins Day Care Center, NAACP, SCLC and served as a member of the Christian Women United Association and the Georgia Council on Human Relations. She was also an honorary member of the Order of Eastern Star, Cinderella Chapter No. 406.

But more important than all of these accolades and memberships, Mrs. Lee was a woman of faith. A dedicated member of the Warner Robins Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Mrs. Lee was a member of stewardess board, missionary board, Lay Council, We Care-Golden Age, Social Concerns Hospitality Circle and served as Founder of the Pastor's Aide Board. The scripture tells us in Proverbs 3:6 that ``In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.'' The Lord truly directed the paths of Mrs. Ada Johnson Lee. The Middle Georgia Community, The State of Georgia, our country, and the world are better because Mrs. Lee passed this way.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and my wife Vivian, and the 765,000 people of Georgia's Second Congressional District, in honoring the life and legacy of Mrs. Ada Johnson Lee. May her life continue to be an inspiration to her family, friends, and all those that she touched during her remarkable life.

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