The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MS. JEWELL BELL
______
HON. DIANA HARSHBARGER
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Monday, August 23, 2021
Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Ms. Jewell Bell, a beloved pillar of King University and Bristol, Tennessee. Ms. Bell has dedicated over 70 years of service to this excellent academic institution and the well-being of its students. Her tenure spans nearly half of King's 152-year history. She began as a maid in the women's dormitory. In 1961, while Bristol's public schools were still segregated, she was promoted to switchboard Operator and Supervisor and given a staff of 10 assistants. She was the first African American in the region to manage a switchboard, for which she became affectionately known as ``Ma Bell.'' In 1966, her son, Lawrence, Jr. became the first African American student to attend King. As the Executive Administrative Assistant for Communications, she remains the voice of King, answering calls and serving the President's office.
Jewell's legacy of community service is notable as well. She has earned the Algenon Sydney Sullivan Award, the YWCA's Tribute to Women Award, the first ever King University Lifetime Achievement Award, her own lane on the campus named after her, and being declared an Aide-de-
Camp by former Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, an honor that carries with it the title of Tennessee Colonel. In addition, King University offers a scholarship named the Jewell H. Bell Scholarship, which goes to help students who, as she describes, ``have fallen through the cracks and need a little extra help to stay in school.'' She has devoted many years of service to the YWCA of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia, the American Red Cross, Slater Community Center, Healing Hands Health Center, and Lee Street Baptist Church. While her children were in school, she served on the PTA and was the first African American PTA Council President in the Bristol, Tennessee, city school system.
Her legacy of love includes being married to her late husband, Lawrence, for 50 years, three grown children, seven grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. In her words, she says ``my children are grown now, but King is still my home, the students are my family and I love them. Some of my family call me Gran, some call me GG, JB, Miss Jewell, plain Jewell, Mrs. Bell, or Ma Bell. I feel like God has enabled me to be here so long because of them, and I believe I've made an impact.''
Madam Speaker, Jewell Bell has been a source of wisdom, compassion and support for students and alumni, as well as a strong community advocate for racial equality and positive change and I proudly honor her.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 149
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