May 8, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 76 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF ROBERT HAROLD OGLE, A FOUNDING MEMBER 
               OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY INCORPORATED

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 8, 2019

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today, on behalf of 
Representatives Danny Davis, Gregory Meeks, David Scott, Emanuel 
Cleaver, Al Green, Steven Horsford and myself, to recognize and honor 
the life and legacy of Robert Harold Ogle--a founding member of Alpha 
Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated and a trailblazer in the United 
States Congress.
  Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated was established on December 
4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The founding members 
of Alpha Phi Alpha are affectionately known as the Seven Jewels. These 
men were pioneers in their respective fields and their accomplishments 
were monumental considering the racial attitudes of our nation in 1906.
  Jewel Henry Arthur Callis became a practicing physician and a 
Professor of Medicine at Howard University. He was also the only member 
of the ``Cornell Seven'' to become General President of the fraternity.
  Jewel Charles Henry Chapman was a leader in higher education and 
became a Professor of Agriculture at what is now Florida A&M 
University.
  Jewel Eugene Kinckle Jones became the first Executive Secretary of 
the National Urban League.
  Jewel George Biddle Kelley was the first African American engineer 
registered in the state of New York.
  Jewel Nathaniel Allison Murray pursued a career in education and 
taught in public schools in Washington, D.C.
  Jewel Vertner Woodson Tandy was the first architect registered in New 
York and the first African American to pass the military commissioning 
exam, becoming a First Lieutenant in the 15th Infantry of the New York 
State National Guard.
  As members of Alpha Phi Alpha gather on Capitol Hill this week for 
Alpha Days on the Hill, it is only fitting to recognize the life and 
legacy of Jewel Robert Harold Ogle, who was the first known African 
American to have served as a professional Senate committee staffer.
  Jewel Ogle was born in Washington, D.C. in 1886. He was educated at 
the historic M Street School, one of the nation's first public high 
schools for African American youth. After graduating from the M Street 
School, Jewel Ogle studied at Cornell University where he earned a 
degree in agriculture with an emphasis on business administration.
  Senate records show that Jewel Ogle was originally hired in 1919 as a 
``laborer'' for the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Senator 
Francis E. Warren of Wyoming. His title was changed to ``messenger'' 
for the committee in 1921, and he was finally named an ``additional 
clerk'' in 1930.
  It is important that we honor Jewel Ogle, who a century ago, paved 
the way for African American congressional staffers today. He 
established and exemplified the ideals of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity in 
leadership, scholarship, and service. At his funeral service, Jewel 
Nathaniel Allison recognized Jewel Ogle for ``his unabated enthusiasm 
and his fighting spirit.'' As members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity 
visit the United States Capitol this week for Alpha Days on the Hill 
with a commitment to ``Advocacy and Action,'' Jewel Ogle's ``fighting 
spirit'' goes with them, as well as with each of the Members of 
Congress who are proud members of this fraternity.
  Madam Speaker, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity has been at the forefront 
of advocacy for our communities and in uplifting the downtrodden for 
113 years. The tremendous work and accomplishments of this fraternity 
and its members would not have been possible without the Seven Jewels. 
And here on Capitol Hill, the legacy of Jewel Robert Harold Ogle lives 
on today in each of the African American congressional staffers who 
serve behind the scenes of this august institution. I thank Jewel Ogle 
for being a true trailblazer for these remarkable men and women who 
followed in his footsteps.

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