Ulysses Jones Jr. facts for kids
Ulysses Jones Jr. (born June 7, 1951, in Memphis, Tennessee; died November 9, 2010) was an American politician. He was a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the Tennessee House of Representatives. This is where laws are made for the state of Tennessee. He represented the 98th district, which included part of Shelby County, Tennessee.
Contents
Who Was Ulysses Jones Jr.?
Ulysses Jones Jr. was an important person in Tennessee politics. He worked to represent the people of his district. He helped make decisions about state laws. He was known for his dedication to public service.
His Work in Government
In the Tennessee House of Representatives, Ulysses Jones Jr. held several important roles. He was the leader, or Chair, of the House State and Local Government Committee. This committee looked at laws affecting cities and counties. He also helped lead the Joint Lottery Oversight Committee. This committee watched over the state lottery.
He was also a member of many other committees. These included groups that worked on education, elections, and state government. Being on these committees meant he helped shape many different laws. He worked on topics from schools to how local governments run.
Early Life and Career
Ulysses Jones Jr. grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. He went to North Side High School. After high school, he continued his education. He studied at the University of Memphis and Tennessee State University.
Before becoming a politician, Ulysses Jones Jr. had another important job. He worked for the Memphis Fire Services. He was a Battalion Chief. This means he was a leader in the fire department. He helped keep his community safe.
A Claim and His Response
Sometimes, politicians face claims about their actions. A person named Tim Willis made a claim about Ulysses Jones Jr. Willis said that Jones received a payment from a made-up company. This company was set up by the FBI.
Ulysses Jones Jr. strongly disagreed with this claim. He said the payment was a normal contribution for his election campaign. He also said he was ready to take a lie detector test. He even offered to take one given by the FBI. This showed he was confident in his honesty.
A Day with Elvis Presley
Ulysses Jones Jr. was also part of a famous moment in history. On August 16, 1977, Elvis Presley died. Ulysses Jones Jr. was one of the first people to arrive at Graceland. Graceland was Elvis Presley's home.
What Happened?
Jones and another paramedic, Charles Crossby, were called to Graceland. The Memphis Fire Department's Engine House No. 29 got a report. Someone was having trouble breathing. They were the paramedics on duty who responded.
Later, Ulysses Jones Jr. was interviewed about that day. He spoke with Albert Goldman for his book about Elvis. Jones also appeared on several TV shows. He shared his memories of that historic day.
