James R. Jones
James R. Jones
“Ambassador Jones throughout his career has enabled and encouraged so many young people to not only serve but to learn how government service is an agent of change working to improve our society…I was a beneficiary of the wisdom he accumulated throughout his career.”
Biography
Oklahoma native James R. Jones graduated from the University of Oklahoma with degrees in journalism and government and received his law degree from Georgetown University while he served on the staff of Congressman Ed Edmondson. He was a captain in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Agency (1964-1965) and was a special assistant to U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson (1965-1969) before his election to the U.S. House of Representatives for the First District (1972-1987). He joined a Washington, D.C. law firm in 1987 and was later elected chairman of the American Stock Exchange.
Fun fact
In 1993 James Jones was nominated by U.S. President Bill Clinton to become U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. His appointment was hailed in a bipartisan fashion with his nomination being supported by both Oklahoma and U.S. Senators.
Oklahoma connections
Jones was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma.