The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO JOHN OSCAR ``JOHNNY'' JONES” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S7428-S7429 on Dec. 11, 2018.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO JOHN OSCAR ``JOHNNY'' JONES
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, I am pleased to commend Mr. John Oscar ``Johnny'' Jones, who is retiring from U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development after 37 consecutive years of service to the Nation.
Raised in Coffeeville, MS, Johnny joined USDA in 1980 as a student trainee in the Coffeeville Farmers Home Administration Office. In pursuing a career with USDA, Johnny followed in the footsteps of his father, William Woodrow Jones, and brother, William Woodrow ``Woody'' Jones, Jr., who both made significant contributions to American agriculture and rural economies throughout Mississippi as lifelong USDA employees.
Following his graduation from Mississippi State University in 1982, Johnny was promoted to the position of assistant county supervisor, ACS, for Webster County in Eupora, MS, with responsibility for Webster and Choctaw Counties. In 1985, he was promoted to county supervisor for Attala County. In 1990, Johnny was selected to serve as a rural housing specialist in the State Farmers Home Administration Office in Jackson. Seven years later, Johnny became the State program director for Single Family Housing for Rural Development in Mississippi, a position he has ably held for 21 years.
Working his way up from the Farmers Home Administration Office in his hometown to the State office in Jackson, Johnny not only gained exceptional knowledge and expertise, but he also contributed unique perspective to his work. Johnny understood the needs of rural Americans, as well as the challenges rural communities must overcome to gain accessibility to the quality of life standards afforded to urban America. Applying his knowledge, expertise, and competence, Johnny devoted himself to making a positive difference in the lives of Mississippians.
Johnny's contributions to the people of Mississippi have been notably remarkable. Throughout his tenure as program director of the Single Family Housing program in Mississippi, he assisted nearly 50,000 families in achieving the American dream of home ownership. Whether a family needed a home or an impoverished elder required emergency home repairs, Johnny effectively managed USDA home loan and repair programs to assure the well-being of people he served, and in the process, he helped them improve themselves and their families.
Johnny Jones made the mission of his profession to selflessly and honorably serve others. He has directly contributed to improving the quality of life of literally tens of thousands of Mississippians. Few individuals have the opportunity through their careers to hold such distinction. On the occasion of his retirement, it is an honor to recognize Johnny Jones for his dedicated service to his State and to the country.
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