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Presidential Citizens Medal Recipient Bernie Jones
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AND THE FIRST LADY
AT PRESENTATION OF THE CITIZENS MEDAL TO
BERNICE YOUNG JONES
February 26, 1996
The Oval Office
10:00 A.M. EST
MRS. CLINTON: Well, we want to welcome all of you -- that's my role, because I am very enthusiastic about this award. I think it is a real indication of a lifetime of work and compassion and caring. So many people have been touched by your generosity. And it is something that the President and I and others here in the White House from Arkansas thought deserved more recognition. So we are delighted to have this day occur.
MS. JONES: Thank you.
THE PRESIDENT: I want to begin, Bernice, by welcoming members of your family and your friends here, and we're especially glad to have Senator Bumpers and Congressman Hutchinson come.
I learned this morning something I did not know -- that this is your first trip to Washington. Well, to have managed to live as many years as you have --
MS. JONES: Ninety. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: -- without ever coming to Washington, that alone is justification for this award. (Laughter.)
MS. JONES: And that's my sister and it's her first trip, and she's 92.
MRS. CLINTON: Is that right?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, neither one of you look it, and we're glad to have you. (Laughter.)
MRS. CLINTON: That's probably why they look so good. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Let me say that, for me, personally, this is a great pleasure because I know very well of the extraordinary work you have done for health care in Arkansas, for education, and of course, the center you established in your name and your late husband's name for families in Springdale. The things that you have done and stood for and tried to help are the things that all of us in America should be trying to advance. And you are a shining example for philanthropy in our country.
I can only hope that every state will find someone like you to help do what needs to be done. And it is for that reason that I wanted to give you this Presidents Citizens Medal. And I'm very glad you decided to take leave of your very good policy and at least one time come to Washington, D.C. (Laughter.)
MS. JONES: Thank you so much. I appreciate it for myself, my family, my friends, my wonderful Springdale, and Arkansas.
THE PRESIDENT: I'd like to ask my military aide now to read the citation.
(The citation is read): The President of the United States of America awards this Presidential Citizens Medal to Bernice Young Jones.
Bernice Young Jones has spent a lifetime sharing her time, vision and resources with others. Working alongside her husband, Harvey, she helped build a thriving transportation business, all the while devoting the fruits of their labor to the betterment of their community, their state, and their country.
With the generosity equalled only by her humility, Bernice Jones has given of herself tirelessly, helping to build or support a wide variety of hospitals, colleges, family centers, and community and religious institutions. She exemplifies our nation's finest tradition of service.
Guided by her strong faith and quiet compassion, Bernice Jones has given gifts of hope and inspiration that will enrich Americans for generations to come.
The White House. Washington, D.C. February 26, 1996.
MS. JONES: Thank you.
(The medal is presented by the President.) (Applause.)
END 10:10 A.M. EST
Jones Center for Families
Bernie Jones with President George W. Bush
CITATION:
Honoring the life and legacy of Bernice Young Jones. (Introduced in House)
HRES 397 IH
108th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 397
Honoring the life and legacy of Bernice Young Jones.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 15, 2003
Mr. BOOZMAN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government Reform
RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and legacy of Bernice Young Jones.
Whereas Bernice Young Jones was born on October 31, 1905, and raised on a farm in Oak Grove, Arkansas;
Whereas Bernice Jones, along with her late husband Harvey Jones, spent much of their fortune from Jones Truck Lines, Inc., to foster the development of community spirit in the city of Springdale, Arkansas, and throughout the State of Arkansas;
Whereas, as a former schoolteacher, Bernice Jones had a great love for children and supported and improved the lives of many children throughout her life;
Whereas during the Great Depression Harvey and Bernice Jones rented a building, hired a teacher, and paid for supplies to keep the Springdale, Arkansas, School District open;
Whereas in the 1950s Harvey and Bernice Jones were instrumental in the development of Springdale's first hospital, and in 1992 Bernice continued their support for the hospital by pledging $25,000,000 to the Northwest Medical Center of Washington County;
Whereas, after the death of her husband, Bernice Jones continued the Jones tradition of giving by paying for computers and Internet access for the entire Springdale School District, donating $11,500,000 for the Harvey and Bernice Jones Eye Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, Arkansas, establishing the Bernice Young Jones School of Fine Arts and several educational centers at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and establishing the Harvey and Bernice Jones Center for Community Design at the University of Arkansas School of Architecture in Fayetteville, Arkansas;
Whereas when Bernice Jones established in 1995 the Harvey and Bernice Jones Center for Families, a 235,000 square foot facility dedicated to the intellectual, cultural, and spiritual enrichment of families throughout the Springdale community, she insisted on only one rule: all are welcome, as long as they behave like ladies and gentlemen;
Whereas Bernice Jones received the Presidential Citizens Medal in 1996, in recognition of her service to humanity;
Whereas, through her grace and faith, Bernice Jones was a truly generous soul who touched the lives of citizens from all over the State of Arkansas; and
Whereas on September 10, 2003, Arkansans were deeply saddened by the death of Bernice Jones: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the House of Representatives-- (1) expresses its deep appreciation of Bernice Young Jones for the impact that she had, through her generous contributions, on the State of Arkansas;
(2) honors Bernice Jones as a humanitarian and for her commitment to building community spirit; and
(3) expresses profound sorrow for the death of Bernice Jones and extends condolences to all of her family and friends.
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Citizens Medal History
