Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor humanitarian and farmer, Dr. Cindy Ayers-Elliot. Dr. Ayers-Elliot has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and the desire to help people in need. Dr. Ayers-Elliot is a Mississippi native and graduate from Rust College with a bachelor's in business administration, and then became only the second Mississippian to become a National Rural Fellow. Once Ayers-Elliot had completed her fellowship, she moved to New York and worked on Wall Street as an investment banker. After 9/11, she returned to Jackson and received her master's degree and a doctorate in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University in 2006. She went to work for a local nonprofit that focused on agricultural policy, but she wanted to do more than talk to farmers. In 2010, she ``traded high heels for work boots'' and ``designer suits for overalls.'' She became a farmer herself, setting up Foot Print Farms on 68 acres in west Jackson. Foot Print Farms has several projects to combat Mississippi's food deserts. In partnership with the Mississippi Department of Health, Foot Print Farms supply boxes of fresh produce in season to needy families living in food deserts. During the pandemic, Foot Print Farms secured donations and supplied fresh food to three schools in impoverished parts of Jackson. Dr. Ayers-Elliot has been a great asset to her community, and her work never goes unnoticed. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Cindy Ayers-Elliot for her hard work in fighting food insecurities in the State of Mississippi.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Mr. James Lewis. Mr. Lewis has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve success. In 2012, Mr. Lewis was a teacher's assistant at the Grove Street Alternative School, just getting his start as an educator and making $800 a month with no benefits. Thanks to a lot of hard work and a few well-timed breaks, he's now in one of the most prominent jobs in the Vicksburg Warren School District (VWSD). Lewis, a Vicksburg native, has been hired as the VWSD's next athletics director. The 36-year-old Lewis' career has been quite a rocket ride. After his humble beginnings at Grove Street, he joined Warren Central's boys' basketball coaching staff as a junior high assistant in 2013. He became the junior high head coach in 2014 and the ninth-grade head coach in 2015. He led Warren Central's ninth-grade team to a 42-8 record and three consecutive Little Six Conference championships, which opened the door for his first varsity head coaching job. He was hired at Jim Hill High School in Jackson in 2018 and was the MHSAA Region 2-5A Coach of the Year for the 2021-22 season. While at Jim Hill he won Coach of the Year and had a kid make the junior all-star game. The whole time Lewis was making a name for himself in the coaching world, he was working behind the scenes to eventually transition out of it. Lewis earned a masters degree in sports administration from Mississippi State before he started teaching. He said it focused mainly on running college, recreational and professional programs and not high school, however, so he went back to school. He earned a specialist degree in educational leadership and administration from Arkansas State University. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. James Lewis for his passion and dedication to achieve new goals.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Barbara Pree Lewis, an awesome leader, who left such an amazing legacy and memories behind in Fayette, MS. Barbara Pree Lewis was born January 26, 1950, to Josie Mae and Lloyd Pree. She peacefully departed this life on Wednesday, September 28, 2022, at Rocky Hollow Lake House in Georgetown, Texas. Barbara received her formal education through the Jefferson County School District in Fayette, Mississippi, where she graduated from Liddell High School in the class of 1968. Thereafter, she attended and graduated from Alcorn State University in 1972. As a lifelong learner, she received a Master's Degree from Alcorn State University and a second Master's Degree from Delta State University. Along with two master's degrees, she continued to enhance her education by receiving a Specialist Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. As an educator, she served as a middle school English and reading teacher in Ashland, Mississippi and Fayette, Mississippi. Barbara also served as a high school English teacher, assistant principal, curriculum director, and high school principal all in the Jefferson County School District. In July 2014, she retired from the education profession with 42 years of service. In 2006, Barbara joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, an organization of educated women through their membership selection process. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the late, Barbara Pree Lewis, for her passion, dedication and leadership she left behind in the Jefferson County School District.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and remarkable retired educator and cancer survivor, Sheila Applewhite, who has been a champion of breast cancer awareness, advocacy, and service in her community. In 2007, Sheila was diagnosed with breast cancer. She leaned on her faith and sprung into action, ready to fight. Sheila stated, ``I never felt the negative feelings that people tend to feel because I put my trust in God.'' As she went through the process of having both breasts surgically removed, the extraction of eight lymph nodes, and chemo and radiation, her preparation remained consistent. ``I would pray and anoint my head with oil,'' Sheila recalled. ``I would also pray that God would guide my doctors' and nurses' hands.'' Sheila's fighting mode consisted of praying, reading, and meditating on scripture. Since that time, Sheila has retired after a 27-year teaching career, teaching mostly second grade. She taught 6 more years at St. Joe in Greenville. Her experience has taught her that cancer and cancer treatment varies from person to person. Sheila said that just because one person's response to treatment is hair loss, that doesn't mean it will be similar in another. But she didn't allow it to get that far in her case. ``I cut my own hair off before I started receiving treatments,'' she said. ``Some people might begin to worry or become afraid with something like hair loss. But I never felt that way.'' Fully retired and enjoying her grandkids, Sheila keeps faith at the center of her life and avails herself as a symbol of hope to those on the opposite end of this journey. Sheila stated, ``I never had a bad feeling about what I was going through because God said He would never leave us or forsake us. I always tell those going though cancer treatment to stay positive and put God ahead of your problems. I never felt like I was alone. And I don't mind being someone they can talk to. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sheila Applewhite for her dedication to breast cancer awareness, advocacy, service and support to survivors.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Pastor Reginald M. Buckley. Pastor Buckley was born in Jackson, MS, to the Rev. and Mrs. Horace L. Buckley. He is a product of Jackson Public Schools and completed his undergraduate education at Tougaloo College. A recipient of the Andrew W. Mellon fellowship, Pastor Buckley entered graduate school at the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1994 and completed the Master of Arts Degree in English Literature in 1996. In 1998, he was called to serve as the senior pastor of Second Baptist Church of Danville, Illinois, and ministered there for nine years. During his tenure there, he served as Secretary and 2nd Vice Moderator of the Wood River Baptist District Association, the oldest continuous Baptist district association in the nation. Pastor Buckley accepted the call to return to Jackson, MS, and serve as the executive pastor of Cade Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in 2007. After serving for seven years, he assumed the role of Senior Pastor in January 2015. He has served as the Dean and the Executive Director of the Congress of Christian Education for the General Missionary Baptist State Convention of Mississippi and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Mississippi Baptist Seminary. A W.K. Kellogg Fellow and a member of the inaugural class of the Mississippi Black Leadership Institute, Pastor Buckley is committed to the causes of community development, social justice, and equity. As executive director of the Cade Development Corporation, he helped to lead in the development of an 81-unit senior citizen apartment complex, which opened in 2012 in the Virden Addition community. Pastor Buckley has served on the board of directors for the Hinds County Economic Development Authority, the Mississippi Baptist Seminary and Bible College, and currently serves on the Board of Advisors for the Program for Research on Faith, Justice and Health at the University of Houston and the Board of Directors for the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. Pastor Buckley has also been inducted into the Tougaloo College Hall of Fame, is a recipient of the Tougaloo Meritorious Leadership award, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Pastor Buckley is married to Lecretia A. Buckley, Ph.D. and they are the parents of two children, Jonathan and Anna. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Pastor Reginald M. Buckley for his dedication and passion for his community and the State of Mississippi.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a resilient minority business that is doing great things in their community, Topps Private Investigation & Security Firm, LLC. Mrs. Ophelia Topps is the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Topps Private Investigation & Security Firm, LLC. She is a native of Grenada, MS. She is married to Anthony Topps, Sr., and has four children--three boys and one girl, and she also has six beautiful grandchildren. Mrs. Topps received her bachelor's in criminal justice from the University of Mississippi in 2014. She began her law enforcement career as a Telecommunicator with the Grenada Police Department. After 14 years of service, Mrs. Topps transitioned to a police officer. In 2016, she then retired from the Grenada Police Department as a Detective Lieutenant. After Mrs. Topps retired, she opened her own business, which is Topps Private Investigation & Security Firm, LLC. Topps Private Investigation is a Minority/Women owned and operated business with over 30 years of law enforcement experience, combined with over ten years of private investigation and security experience. Mrs. Topps specialize in a diverse range of services pertaining to security and investigations. During her tenure with the Grenada Police Department, she completed multiple training programs that equipped her with the skills needed to protect and serve her community. She has led her team of security guards in different security capacities including at universities, public schools, semi-pro football league, conferences, concerts, corporate buildings, and most recently, Mississippi Department of Health State School and Nashville Metropolitan Development Housing Agency apartment complex towers. Mrs. Topps is a recipient of the 2013 Bobby L. ``Bubba'' Wells Motivational Award--Law Fit Challenge. Mrs. Topps' passion is to serve and protect others. Yearly, she adopts a class with the ICS Head Start Center for Christmas. She continues to provide professional service that promotes public safety. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Topps and Topps Private Investigation & Security Firm, LLC for her resilience and hard work her and her firm do for their community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Mrs. Bessie Orsby-Jones. Bessie has been a champion of breast cancer awareness, advocacy, and service in her community. Bessie Orsby-Jones is the Founder of Divine Branches, a support group she started after going into the remission stage of cancer. Mrs. Jones was in great need of a support group, but there was not one available in her community. She had a conversation about her concerns with Kenita Faye Miller, a cancer survivor and classmate of 12 years from St. Louis. Later, Mrs. Jones was given an invitation to join The Breakfast Club Cancer Support group in St. Louis through virtual access. She soon felt strongly about forming a support group of her own. She began a search for survivors in and around Clarksdale. She soon started the support group with Catherine Holmes, Mary Caradine, Vanessa Lampkin and Joyce Clark. Mrs. Jones said she prayed about the name of the support group and God gave her the word Divine. After she expressed it to the group, one of the members shouted, ``Branches.'' Thus, the name ``The Divine Branches'' was agreed upon. Divine means directed by God, and branches was based on John 15:5 ``I am the Vine you are the Branches.'' She knew that if the branches stayed connected to the Vine they would go forth and be productive. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Bessie Orsby-Jones for her dedication to breast cancer awareness, advocacy, service and support to survivors, and remembering those who lives were lost during their battle against breast cancer.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable hero, Mrs. Linda Citchens Downing. Linda Citchens Downing is the daughter of the late Mary Alice Catchings-Broom and Eulis Broom, Sr. Born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, she grew up the middle child of 11 siblings. Her mother, being the sole provider for her large family, instilled in her the qualities of discipline, hard work, and dedication to duty. Determined to set her children up for a better life, Mary worked at the Coco-Cola Bottling Company and cleaned homes on Saturday to provide for them. What the family lacked in material possessions, they made up for in love and faith. Although Mary only had an 8th grade education, she wanted to insure her children had more access to education than she had. After graduating high school, Linda yearned for just that goal. At the time, her goal was to become a lawyer who provided legal representation for the underserved; however, that course was not to be. With little money and lacking the type of support necessary for law school, she would find an alternate route to achieving her goal of helping people, and that was via education. Her older sisters had graduated from college and become teachers, and Linda decided to follow suit. She attended Coahoma Junior College, now Coahoma Community College, where she served as Miss Coahoma Junior College in 1978 to 1979. In March of 1979, she got married, and in May of that same year, she graduated with high honor from CJC. A year later, she had her first child. Being a wife, mother, and attending college was difficult for a 20-year-old, so Linda decided to quit Delta State University when she became pregnant with her second daughter. She pressed on, though, enrolling at Mississippi Valley State University soon afterwards. Not having transportation, she commuted with one of the professors, often taking her baby to class with her. When one of her professors told her she wouldn't be able to finish her degree with two babies, Linda became even more resolved to get the job done and achieve her overarching goals of service and support to the community. Her second daughter was born in December of 1981; by December of 1982, she had completed her Bachelor's Degree, Cum Laude. She began her teaching career at Oakhurst Elementary School, and in the following years, she taught the gamut of elementary education, all while inspiring and motivating her students to think bigger and to desire more. She enrolled in graduate school at Delta State, receiving a Master's Degree in Elementary Education. Shortly thereafter, she moved up to lead teacher. Another stint at Delta State produced a Master's degree in counseling, after which she was hired as a middle school counselor, performing in that capacity for 7 years. Conrad Hilton said, ``Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving.'' And that's what Linda did. She returned to school to study administration, and to that end, she was hired as an elementary school principal. When that proved successful, she was promoted to middle school principal. She served as principal of Oakhurst Middle School for 7 years. During her tenure, she changed the culture of the school in academics and athletics and brought it to successful status. Linda implemented numerous incentives such as Teacher of the Year (the teacher with the most improved scores in standardized tests would receive $500 paid by the principal); Most Improved of Teacher (the most improved teacher would receive $250 paid by the principal; as well as financial incentives (donated by stakeholders) for students scoring proficient and advanced on state tests, and in the process, increased parental and community support by 75 percent. As a result of her achievement as a principal, in 2010, Linda was hired as the Secondary Curriculum Director of the Clarksdale Public School District. In 2016, Linda earned a Specialist degree in administration and supervision from Arkansas State University. Finally, after 32 years of being guided by the principles her mother imparted in her, she retired. Linda only remained out of education for a year, returning because of her love and respect for her vocation and the positive effects of her actions on the world around her. Currently, she serves as the Chief Academic Office of the Quitman County School District, where she works full time on a part-time salary. Despite this, she has a hand in almost all aspects of education in the district: from site visits to new teacher training, to the organization of large-scale events on the district's behalf. She does what she does because of love; she loves the students, the teachers, the parents, and she is committed to education. At the age of 8, Linda stated cooking for her younger brothers and sisters. This inspired a lifelong love of cooking and baking. As part owner of 7Sisters Catering, she regular donates her food and services to church, school, and community events. She has received the Epsilon Xi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Delta Leadership Award; the NAACP Mother of the Year Award; The Women in the Community Award; and serves as youth minister at the church she attends. Linda has been married to Roy Downing for 22 years, and together they have 4 daughters and 3 grandchildren. The proverb that says, if you want to give a job to somebody, give it to someone that already has a lot to do is a model for Linda's life--but she does and has always gotten the job done. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Linda Citchens Downing for she is the epitome of an unsung hero.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great leader, a believer, an example, and a man of God, Rev. Robert D. Wells. Rev. Wells is a native of Hinds County, MS. He was born on September 1, 1945 and the only child of the late Sister Lucy Joiner. As a child, Rev. Wells was challenged with getting money for haircuts, but instead of allowing that to be an excuse, he used the gift God gave him and became a barber and now a licensed barber stylist. On June 12, 1965, Rev. Wells was united in Holy Matrimony to the former Paulette Rodgers. They have been blessed with 3 children: Christopher Daniel, Melissa Danyell, and Michael Daniel; and 3 grandchildren: Christopher (CJ), Carla and Camron Christian. Rev. Wells is a member of The New Caney Creek Missionary Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. He received his license to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ on May 14, 1972 and was ordained April 20, 1974, Rev. Wells received his education in the Hinds County Public Schools. He matriculated in further studies at the Mississippi Baptist Seminary of Jackson, Mississippi, and the McKinley Theological Seminary, Inc., where he received a Bachelor of Theology Degree and a Master of Divinity Degree. Rev. Wells is also a graduate of Hinds Community College in Raymond, Mississippi. Rev. Wells is known for serving. He served as one of the instructors for the McKinley Theological Seminary. He has contributed to many organizations through membership, leadership (President, Supervisor), door to door evangelism, helping the needy, broadcast ministry, Instructor for 20 plus years with the Copiah County Alliance and a Pastor of four churches during his Pastorage. Rev. Robert Daniel Wells is a born-again believer, preaching 50 years and pastoring 45 years in December 2022. Reverend and Mrs. R.D. Wells are in a united effort to bring about a spiritual change to the Glory of God. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Reverend Robert D. Wells for his outstanding services in Crystal Springs, Mississippi.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition. The coalition has gone beyond the call of duty to ensure that communities in Mississippi are taken care of during critical times. The Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition was formed in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. MRRC has since responded to crises caused by climate change and failing infrastructure across the state of Mississippi. The Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition, also called ``The Coalition,'' is comprised of over 30 organizations around the state of Mississippi. The organizations that make up the Coalition were 1st responders during COVID and after the Winter Storm of 2021, providing needed resources to Mississippians in need. The Coalition has continued to be a rapid response provider during this latest crisis affecting Jackson, MS, providing drinking water across Jackson's 7 wards and assisting those in need. MRRC has distributed thousands of cases of water to Jackson residents and provided other necessary services, and I am forever grateful for their work. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Mississippi Rapid Response Coalition for their service to the citizens of Mississippi during their time of distress.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a man of many talents, Rev. Calvin Earl Hawkins. Rev. Hawkins is compassionate, and a dedicated public servant devoted to the betterment of the community and success of others. Rev. Hawkins was born on September 25, 1972, in Water Valley, Mississippi, to the parents of the late John and Earline Wright Hawkins. As the last child of nine children, Calvin graduated high school then continued his education at Northeast Mississippi Community College in Booneville, Mississippi, then on to Mississippi State University, in Starkville, Mississippi. While at Mississippi State University, Rev. Hawkins obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Psychology, Education, and with a focus in Individual and Family Studies. Over the years, Rev. Hawkins has been intricately involved within the community and has demonstrated immense dedication to the families and children throughout the state of Mississippi. Rev. Hawkins is a lifeline for many students in Mississippi and has started his 28th year as an educator. Rev. Hawkins is very supportive in the field of education. He is an educator at heart. His work experience includes but is not limited to an Educational/Disability Specialist, Center Administrator, and Regional Administrator for Mississippi Action for Progress, Inc. As a Regional Administrator for Head Start, Rev. Hawkins served the counties of Yalobusha, Chickasaw and Calhoun City. He was able to provide services for an infinite number of children who needed a head start in life. Rev. Hawkins currently serves as the Coordinator for Student Services for the Coffeeville School District. Within his work career, Rev. Hawkins has worked with students between the ages of 3 years old to post-secondary status He has consistently been an advisor and vessel for students by teaching them problem-solving and coping skills while simultaneously verbalizing to them to never give up. It has always been common practice for Rev. Hawkins to rally and encourage students with a Pep talk letting them know, `What God has for you is for you'' and always providing individuals with the assurance of whatever comes their way, they can make it. In 2011, Rev. Hawkins accepted the calling into the ministry. He is a licensed and ordained pastor. Rev. Hawkins began pastoring his first church in 2006 as the Senior Pastor of United Missionary Baptist Church in Coffeeville, Mississippi. Rev. Hawkins serves his community in the following capacities: President of the Blackmur Library, member of the 100 Black Men of Grenada County, Mississippi, Congress President of the Mt. Moriah District Association, National Library Association, and a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Rev. Hawkins past membership includes the Rotary club and Water Valley Main Street Association. He is the Founder of the ``Increase Your Knowledge Group, LLC,'', a non-profit organization to increase the knowledge of potential information within the community. In 2005, Rev. Hawkins was appointed by the Yalobusha County Sheriff and Board of Supervisor as the Chaplain for the Yalobusha County Detention Center. Rev. Hawkins is now a published author of the book titled, Under the Dusty Sands. This book is an African American history book highlighting Yalobusha County, Mississippi from 1870 to 1970. Rev. Hawkins gathered history to recognize the African American citizing that paved the way in Yalobusha County. He is preparing to publish his second book, which will include the history of the oldest African American school in Yalobusha County entitled ``Dear Ole Davidson''. In 2022, Rev. Hawkins was recognized as an African American historian in Yalobusha County. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Rev. Calvin Earl Hawkins for his dedication and passion for his community and the State of Mississippi.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable cancer survivor, Mrs. Andrea Cohen. Mrs. Andrea Cohen is the daughter of Annie Lee Jones. She is a native of Grenada, MS. She is also the wife of Pastor Darien Cohen and the amazing mother of three beautiful children--Deshawn Cohen, Shakeeria Atkins, and D`Ashley Cohen. She has 4 beautiful grandchildren--Laniah, Deshawn Jr. (DJ), Kendall, and Addison. Mrs. Cohen is a full-time teacher at the Grenada Lower Elemantary School. She has been teaching for over 10 years. Mrs. Cohen loves her students dearly and she enjoys teaching them. She goes above and beyond to make sure her students learn the material is being taught to them. She graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementalry Education. She then returned to the University of Mississippi and received two master's degrees. Mrs. Cohen was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. She fought through chemo and two years later Mrs. Cohen was cancer free. Mrs. Cohen is a living testimony, and she does not mind telling other young women what she has gone through and how she fought through her dark times. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Andrea Cohen for being a light that shines even in her dark times.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Robert L. Grayson. Robert has been a champion of service and dedication to the great state of Mississippi and his community. Robert L. Grayson, of Tutwiler, born on May 10, 1941, is remembered as a trailblazer. He graduated from West District High School in Tallahatchie County. He enlisted in the U.S. Army, served in Vietnam and 8 years in the Army Reserve. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and a recipient of the Bronze, Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. A three-decade employee with the Mississippi Department of Corrections at Parchman, MS, Mr. Grayson successfully entered the political arena in 1989 when he defeated the incumbent Ward 1 alderman in Tutwiler. He was reelected to that position in 1993. After 7 years as alderman, during which time he was elected vice mayor by his peers, in 1996 Mr. Grayson resigned to compete in a June special election for mayor. He received 53 percent of the vote in a three-man field to earn an historic first-ballot victory. As the first African American chief executive of Tutwiler, Mr. Grayson completed the remaining year of the former mayor's term, was reelected, and went on to serve 3 full terms, ending in 2009. Mr. Grayson dedicated his life to public service, serving in multiple positions--vice chairman of the Tallahatchie Housing Board, Council Board of Alderman of Tutwiler, Aaron E. Henry Health Center Board, and the National Conference of Black Mayors. Mr. Grayson was a founding member of the Emmett Till Memorial Commission (ETMC) of Tallahatchie County and one of the first co-chairs of that organization. In October 2007, he and fellow ETMC co-chair Betty Pearson read the ``Resolution of Regret'' to family members of Emmett Till during the dedication of a historical marker on the grounds of the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Sumner. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life, legacy, and service of Robert L. Grayson for his passion and dedication to serving the Mississippi Delta and his desire to make a difference in the community, state and Nation.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the community efforts of Vicki Colbert. For decades, Stewpot Community Services has helped people experiencing homelessness by providing shelter, clothes, and food. Recently, a new face behind the scenes has made a big impact on the community, one meal at a time. Vicki Colbert, known as Mama Vicki, wants every single meal she serves at Stewpot to be her best one yet. ``If I don't eat it and it doesn't taste right, it doesn't come out of this kitchen,'' she said. Stewpot serves up to 150 hot meals to those in need, plus another 70 for Meals on Wheels. Colbert is the woman behind it all, but she didn't exactly plan to be there. The nonprofit group was suddenly without a chef last fall. Colbert, who is a retired education administrator with a culinary background, just happened to be volunteering that week. ``She had already been here as a volunteer, and I heard about her in the kitchen and heard about her food, so I came just to try it out and found that she made the most delicious mac 'n cheese,'' said Jill Buckley, executive director at Stewpot Community Services. It was so good, in fact, that Buckley said they asked her to stay for just one week. Nearly a year later, Colbert couldn't imagine being anywhere else. ``If I wake up every day in my right mind and I'm able to walk and talk, I need to do something grateful with that, so I come to Stewpot,'' Colbert said. ``This is not a job for me, this is a ministry.'' It may be considered a soup kitchen, but she's serving much more than your average chicken noodle soup. From Southern-fried catfish to homemade hushpuppies, Colbert is making real homecooked meals out of donated food. ``It requires someone in the kitchen, or some people in the kitchen, who can take whatever is donated and make a meal out of it. That's a skill,'' Buckley said. ``My sisters and brothers told me the same thing,'' Colbert said. ``Give Vicki some sugar and flour (and) she can make a meal.'' That familiar magic touch is how she earned the name Mama Vicki. Handwritten letters from some of the Meals on Wheels recipients are proof of her impact. They say how thankful they are to have her. ``I'm glad that I'm here,'' Colbert said, ``I know it had to be a calling that I had to do.'' I love these people, I really do.'' Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Vicki Colbert for her outstanding service to her community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a staple of the City of Vicksburg and Warren County community, St. Mary Catholic Church. St. Mary Catholic Church and its members have shown what can be done though hard work, dedication, and a desire to serve the Vicksburg/Warren community. For 116 years, St. Mary Catholic Church has been a source of spiritual guidance and education for African American Catholics in Vicksburg and Warren County. Its importance to the community will be remembered on Oct. 16th with a ceremony dedicating two historic markers--one for the church and another for the elementary and high school. St. Mary's parish was founded in 1906 by the Rev. Aloysius Heick. The first church was on Holly Street. The Sisters of Mercy provided the altar for the first church, the candlesticks, and the priest's vestments; and the priests at St. Paul Catholic Church provided a place for Heick to stay until St. Mary's moved to its present location at Main and Second North streets later in 1906, which is when an elementary and high school was also started, The present church was built in 1923. The congregation at St. Paul's collected $279.80 that they donated to Heick to buy the land, and philanthropist Catherine Drexel, who was later canonized as a saint, provided half of the money necessary to get the property. A two-story Greek revival building was built in 1908 and was later used for the high school. The nuns who taught the children at St. Mary's were members of the Sisters of the Holy Spirit. The elementary school closed in 1970, and the high school closed in 1964. When the schools closed the children who wanted to continue attending Catholic school had to go to Yazoo City. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing St. Mary Catholic Church and its members for their passion and dedication to offer the spiritual and educational needs of the City of Vicksburg community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office for H.R. 3756, the Department of Homeland Security Climate Change Research Act, and H.R. 7779, the DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record the cost estimate prepared by the Congressional Budget Office for H.R. 7778, the Department of Homeland Security Seal Protection Act of 2022. The cost estimate was not available at the time of the Committee report filing. U.S. Congress, Congressional Budget Office, Washington, DC, October 4, 2022. Hon. Bennie G. Thompson, Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 7778, the Department of Homeland Security Seal Protection Act of 2022. If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Jeremy Crimm. Sincerely, Phillip L. Swagel, Director. Enclosure.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable individual, Dr. Derek Miles. Dr. Miles has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve success. Dr. Derek Miles, a Cleveland, MS, urologist who serves the entire Delta region--including East Arkansas, in Helena--is celebrating the 20th year of the opening of his practice which took place in August of 2002. The Kansas City native said he now considers himself a true ``Deltan'' and has a passion for his work and serving his many patients in the region. Dr. Miles came to Cleveland fresh out of residency at the University of Missouri and started his urology practice. He is one of the few full-time urologists and physicians in the Delta keeping up his practice because so many others have either retired or moved on. Dr. Miles states that ``Cleveland is incredible, and I could not be more honored to practice and be based here and serve the Delta community. It's now 20 years down and 20 more to go, in my mind.'' Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Derek Miles for his passion and dedication to serving his community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable professional, Armintie Price Herrington. Armintie was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in April of 1985. She is married to Dr. Reginald Herrington, who serves as assistant principal for Grenada Lower Elementary. They have two children; a son, Reginald II (known as Prince), who is 4 years old, and a daughter, Armintie Christine, who is 9 months old. Armintie holds a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Mississippi. During her time at Ole Miss, she excelled playing for the Lady Rebels basketball team and led the team to the NCAA Tournament three times. She received Kodak AH-American honors, among other accolades, and upon graduation, entered the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft in 2007. Armintie played for nine seasons, and four season overseas from 2007 to 2015. Armintie started out playing for the Chicago Sky and was named the 2007 WNBA Rookie of the Year. She was traded to the Atlanta Dream in 2009, and the team earned spots in the finals every year. She also became an assistant coach for the Ole Miss Lady Rebels; a position she held from 2009 to 2012. In 2014, she became a free agent and played for the L.A. Sparks before rejoining the Ole Miss WBB staff in 2016. She served the Lady Rebels as assistant coach one last time, for the 2018- 2022 seasons, before leaving Ole Miss. Armintie now has joined Holmes Community College (Grenada, MS campus) staff as the new business office/ financial aid advisor. Armintie is an active member of her church, Abundant Life Assembly in Grenada, and she looks forward to getting involved in more community activities. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Armintie Price Herrington for her dedication and tenacity to serving her community and desire to be an example for all.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and jovial young lady, Madison Grace Sullivan. Madison Grace has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve success. Madison Grace Sullivan currently holds the title ``Little Miss Vicksburg''. She will be a contestant in the state-wide Little Miss and Mr. Magnolia State Pageant finalists. As a contestant she will compete against contestants ages zero to eleven years old for the coveted title, ``Little Miss Magnolia State''. Madison Grace is the daughter of Megan Sullivan and Marcus Wilson. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Madison Grace Sullivan for her passion and dedication to achieve new goals.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable person, Rubie Hanks-Buck. Rubie Hanks was born in Crenshaw, MS. She is the third of seven children (three boys and four girls). She is a 1970 graduate of Quitman County High School (now Madison S. Palmer High) in Marks, MS. After high school, she worked for a year at her church teaching illiterate adults to write their names and basic math. She later attended Coahoma Community College majoring in Vocational Business. She is married to Willie James Buck, and they are the proud parents of three girls (Patricia, Andrea, and Kyndall) and two grandchildren (Jordan and Tru). Mrs. Buck is a member of Holly Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves in various capacities. She promotes healthy living and eating by educating church members and others about the importance of knowing and controlling their blood pressure. Mrs. Buck worked for 40 years in the Quitman County School District as a Secretary and later as Payroll Clerk until her retirement in 2014. She's active in her hometown of Crenshaw, where she serves as Chairperson of the Annual Christmas Parade Activities, and she has held this position for over 5 years. Mrs. Buck is Treasurer of the Les Grandes Soeurs Social Club in Quitman County, where they work with churches, organizations, schools, and local communities to improve the lives of the youths and elderly through scholarships and donations. Her legacy is more important than simply earning a salary but to live in peace and strive to make each day better than the one before. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Rubie Hanks-Buck

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a trailblazer and the receiver of the 2022 Remarkable Woman Award, Mrs. Janell Edwards. Mrs. Edwards has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and determination. Mrs. Janell Edwards moved from Savannah, Georgia to Fayette, Mississippi, in 2006. For over a decade, she has been the force behind the non-profit, Fayette Community Organization. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and halt to many of her programs, she decided to tum her focus and pour her energy into helping the community economically. Mrs. Edwards and her husband are known in their community for their pecan trees. They pick pecans and sell them to a vendor in Natchez, MS. To help their neighbors, adults and children make money in Fayette, MS, they began purchasing the pecans from them. Because many of the trees are native, the Mississippi Extension Service was helpful in coming out to share with the community on how to care for their trees during the year, so that they could get the most potential yield during pecan season. This was truly a great start to broaden the horizon for Fayette, MS. Mrs. Edwards is a member of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. She is no stranger to leading and being a part of organizations that help make a change. She was born a leader and holds the capability to mobilize others towards action. She attended Savannah State College, where she was engaged in several organizations; leading and supervised many activities and was the overseer for many projects. With all the work Mrs. Edwards has done and doing, she has been recognized and received several awards. Some of them include the Outstanding Community Service Award in 2014, Inaugural Award of Rural Campions in 2014, and Nominated for the 4th Annual Gulf Coast Gospel Music Awards in the category: Radio Personality of the Year Kingdom Influencer in 2020, just to name a few. Mrs. Edwards was also the host of the Annual FAT to FIT Event in Fayette, MS, in 2011, averaging 500 attendees per day and she is currently working to make it an ongoing and larger event on a local and national level. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Janell Edwards for her outstanding service and leadership in Fayette, MS.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a bright and vibrant student, Terrionna Wilson. Terrionna has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to help. Terrionna Wilson is a senior at Warren Central High School in Vicksburg, MS. Terrionna is also a student in Claiborne County's Summer Youth STEM Program which is sponsored each summer by the Claiborne County Board of Supervisors and Entergy Nuclear. For Terrionna's community service project in the program, she assisted younger students in Port Gibson, MS with their multiplication skills. They were learning complex sets of timetables. In the words of Terrionna, ``At first, they were nervous and were shying away, but now they have learned new math skills. I enjoyed working with these young ladies.'' Terrionna shows how compassion for others and education can mold the next generations. She made a lasting impact on the lives of those young ladies. Her work is greatly appreciated, and her future is very bright. Terrionna is a resident of Port Gibson, MS and the daughter of Latoya Jackson and Terrance Wilson. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Terrionna Wilson, for being an exemplary student and citizen.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable and impactful business, Taylor Ready Laborers Staffing Services, LLC. The CEO, R'Shonda Taylor, has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve success. Taylor Ready Laborers Staffing Services, LLC (TRLSS) is new, blackowned, and the first staffing agency in Indianola, MS, servicing the entire MidSouth Delta areas families and communities. They are offering temporary, temp to hire, contract, and direct hire positions for small, large, and independently owned businesses. The CEO, R'Shonda Taylor, has over 21 (8yrs Human Resource) years of staffing, recruiting, and job placement expertise. Ms. Taylor stated that she ``will be working with local businesses to help them locate people who can fill the positions that they have available.'' Ms. Taylor states that TRLSS will also train the workers about company culture, use employers' videos and materials to train the potential workers, and train the employees on how to retain the job that they've been hired for, which includes working with each employer's on-the-job-training programs. TRLSS will take a holistic approach to providing support for local workers. According to Ms. Taylor, her services will extend to most of the Delta and the City of Indianola, where three buses will be donated for workers with transportation challenges. The buses will be for pickup and drop-off at the worksite only. There will also be programs put in place to assist workers with concerns about childcare. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Taylor Ready Laborers Staffing Services, LLC for their passion and dedication to achieve new goals, while making history and serving their community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Adaiah Curry. Adaiah Curry graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 2008 and obtained a Master's in Business Administration in 2014. He was a member of the Mississippi Valley State University track and field team as well as men's basketball team from 2003 to 2007. After completing his undergraduate, he worked in the Office of Admissions at MVSU from 2008 to 2010. He later became a Grad Assistant under Sean Woods MVSU Men's Head Basketball Coach and an Assistant Coach under Chico Potts and Andre Payne. After leaving the MVSU family, Adaiah Curry continued his career as a coach and teacher at Leland High School. Adaiah Curry later obtained a job where he currently worked at Amite County. While at Amite County he was fortunate enough to make a deep run into the state boys' basketball tournament, and later in 2022 he was able to win a state championship in track and field. He was also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life, legacy, and service of Adaiah Curry.