Floor SpeechNeutral2026-07-27

HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF MR. JOHNNY E. MOSS, JR.

TaxesEnvironmentEducationHousing

Context

On 2026-07-27, Representative Terri A. Sewell (D-AL-7) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF MR. JOHNNY E. MOSS, JR." in the House.

Full Text

HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF MR. JOHNNY E. MOSS, JR.

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 122 (Monday, July 27, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 122 (Monday, July 27, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E740] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF MR. JOHNNY E. MOSS, JR. ______ HON. TERRI A. SEWELL of alabama in the house of representatives Monday, July 27, 2026 Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life, legacy, and service of Mr. Johnny E. Moss, Jr., who passed away on July 17, 2026, at the age of 83. Mr. Moss was born on October 25, 1942, to the late Johnny Moss, Sr., and Ollie Mae Moss and was raised in a Christian home by his grandmother, Berta Moss, in Selma, Alabama. Mr. Moss began his educational journey in the Segregated Selma City School System. Following his graduation, he joined the United States Navy where he served his country for four years on the Kitty Hawk. He later matriculated at Nashville School of Business, in Nashville, Tennessee. Dedicated to giving back to the community that nurtured him, Mr. Moss began his career of service to the Selma and Dallas County community as the Director of the Don Bosco Neighborhood Service Center. After his departure from the Selma Dallas Economic Opportunity Board, Mr. Moss became the first Black Director of the Selma Housing Authority, where he served for more than thirty years. Before his retirement in 2005, Mr. Moss's tenure as Director of the Selma Housing Authority was marked by his efforts to improve the lives of residents both inside and outside the home through youth programming and adult resident training. His contributions were recognized when the Moss Court housing for seniors was named in his honor. Outside of his career, Mr. Moss was a mentor, teacher, and community leader who served as the City of Selma Planning Commission Chairperson and the Dallas-Selma Community Action Agency President, and was a member of the Wallace Community Foundation, George Evans Special Needs Foundation, Historic Brown Chapel AME Church Preservation Society Inc., Head Start Board, Rotary Club, 12 High Club, Chesterfield Club, and others. A committed servant of God, Mr. Moss confessed Christ at an early age and joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church. After his marriage to Jeanette Eileen Martin in 1968, he and his wife became members of Brown Chapel AME Church, where he remained a devoted member until his passing. Mr. Johnny E. Moss, Jr., is preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Moss, II, and Ollie Mae Moss; and his grandmother, Berta Moss. He is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette Moss; his sons, Johnny Moss, III (Sharonoa), and Jarvis Moss; his grandchildren, Jarvis Moss, Jr., Keriana Moore, Jada Moss, Evan Moss, Jackson Moss, Jace Riddle, and Jacelyn Riddle; his siblings, Odessa Brown (Tommy), Lewis Moss, Jeffery Moss, Broderick Moss, Lois Moss, and Glenda Williams; his sisters-in- law, Mabel Reddick, Rosalyn (Clarence) Hatcher, Doris Rush; his god daughters, Jatavi Reddick-Hardy, Tamela Glover, Danielle Smith, Ayannah Joi Cleary, Ashlyn ``Kam'' Goodwin; those he had deepest gratitude and appreciation to, Coren Wilson (Nephew and Caregiver) and Velton Moss (Nephew); and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors, and friends. On a personal note, Mr. Moss was more than a distinguished public servant, he was a cherished family friend. The Moss and Sewell families have long shared a close bond rooted in our love for Selma and our shared commitment to serving others. Mr. Moss dedicated his life to making our community stronger. Whether leading the Selma Housing Authority, mentoring young people, serving his church, or lending his wisdom to countless civic organizations, Mr. Moss never sought recognition, only opportunities to serve. My heart is with his beloved wife, Jeanette, his sons, Mayor Johnny Moss, III, and Jarvis Moss, Sr., and the entire Moss family. May they find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on not only in the institutions he helped build, but in the countless lives he touched. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life, legacy, and service of Mr. Johnny E. Moss, Jr. ____________________

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HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF MR. JOHNNY E. MOSS, JR. Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 122 (Monday, July 27, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 122 (Monday, July 27, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E740] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE OF MR. JOHNNY E. MOSS, JR. ______ HON. TERRI A. SEWELL of alabama in the house of representatives Monday, July 27, 2026 Ms. SEWELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary life, legacy, and service of Mr. Johnny E. Moss, Jr., who passed away on July 17, 2026, at the age of 83. Mr. Moss was born on October 25, 1942, to the late Johnny Moss, Sr., and Ollie Mae Moss and was raised in a Christian home by his grandmother, Berta Moss, in Selma, Alabama. Mr. Moss began his educational journey in the Segregated Selma City School System. Following his graduation, he joined the United States Navy where he served his country for four years on the Kitty Hawk. He later matriculated at Nashville School of Business, in Nashville, Tennessee. Dedicated to giving back to the community that nurtured him, Mr. Moss began his career of service to the Selma and Dallas County community as the Director of the Don Bosco Neighborhood Service Center. After his departure from the Selma Dallas Economic Opportunity Board, Mr. Moss became the first Black Director of the Selma Housing Authority, where he served for more than thirty years. Before his retirement in 2005, Mr. Moss's tenure as Director of the Selma Housing Authority was marked by his efforts to improve the lives of residents both inside and outside the home through youth programming and adult resident training. His contributions were recognized when the Moss Court housing for seniors was named in his honor. Outside of his career, Mr. Moss was a mentor, teacher, and community leader who served as the City of Selma Planning Commission Chairperson and the Dallas-Selma Community Action Agency President, and was a member of the Wallace Community Foundation, George Evans Special Needs Foundation, Historic Brown Chapel AME Church Preservation Society Inc., Head Start Board, Rotary Club, 12 High Club, Chesterfield Club, and others. A committed servant of God, Mr. Moss confessed Christ at an early age and joined the Ebenezer Baptist Church. After his marriage to Jeanette Eileen Martin in 1968, he and his wife became members of Brown Chapel AME Church, where he remained a devoted member until his passing. Mr. Johnny E. Moss, Jr., is preceded in death by his parents, Johnny Moss, II, and Ollie Mae Moss; and his grandmother, Berta Moss. He is survived by his loving wife, Jeanette Moss; his sons, Johnny Moss, III (Sharonoa), and Jarvis Moss; his grandchildren, Jarvis Moss, Jr., Keriana Moore, Jada Moss, Evan Moss, Jackson Moss, Jace Riddle, and Jacelyn Riddle; his siblings, Odessa Brown (Tommy), Lewis Moss, Jeffery Moss, Broderick Moss, Lois Moss, and Glenda Williams; his sisters-in- law, Mabel Reddick, Rosalyn (Clarence) Hatcher, Doris Rush; his god daughters, Jatavi Reddick-Hardy, Tamela Glover, Danielle Smith, Ayannah Joi Cleary, Ashlyn ``Kam'' Goodwin; those he had deepest gratitude and appreciation to, Coren Wilson (Nephew and Caregiver) and Velton Moss (Nephew); and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbors, and friends. On a personal note, Mr. Moss was more than a distinguished public servant, he was a cherished family friend. The Moss and Sewell families have long shared a close bond rooted in our love for Selma and our shared commitment to serving others. Mr. Moss dedicated his life to making our community stronger. Whether leading the Selma Housing Authority, mentoring young people, serving his church, or lending his wisdom to countless civic organizations, Mr. Moss never sought recognition, only opportunities to serve. My heart is with his beloved wife, Jeanette, his sons, Mayor Johnny Moss, III, and Jarvis Moss, Sr., and the entire Moss family. May they find comfort in knowing that his legacy lives on not only in the institutions he helped build, but in the countless lives he touched. On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my colleagues to join me in celebrating the extraordinary life, legacy, and service of Mr. Johnny E. Moss, Jr. ____________________