Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the gentlewoman from New York.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, while the imposition of a nationwide E-Verify on all businesses found in this bill is not part of the Homeland Security division, it still affects me as a Member of Congress from a rural part of the country. I cannot overstate how damaging this language is to the agriculture labor in my district. Many of my rural Republican colleagues know this, too. To put it bluntly, if enacted, this bill will force American farmers to go out of business. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters of opposition against the child deportation act from the AFL-CIO; SEIU, Service Employees International Union; and the Agriculture Workforce Coalition.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, the extreme MAGA Republican default on America act, which the last Speaker voted for, would result in CBP not being able to seize nearly 900 pounds of fentanyl because of the draconian cuts to its budget. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Robert Garcia).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, on February 1, the last speaker voted against the public health emergency that served as the legal basis for the use of title 42 at the southwest border. My colleagues want to have it both ways, which is why, I guess, he supports H.R. 2, the child deportation act. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Grijalva), the ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, if Republicans were serious about border security, they would have joined Democrats in passing last year's government funding bill, which paid for an increase of 300 Border Patrol agents, the first increase since the Obama administration. Not only did the last speaker not support it, she voted to have 1,400 Border Patrol agents fewer in the field under the extreme MAGA Republican default on America act. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Thanedar).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2 does nothing to combat illicit narcotics like fentanyl. If Republicans were serious about border security, they would have joined Democrats in passing last year's government funding bill, which provided $70 million for intrusive inspection technology at ports of entry where most dangerous drugs are interdicted. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Salinas).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Sorensen).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from Arizona.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, Republicans want it both ways. First, they vote to reduce the number of Border Patrol agents in the field by 1,400 under their default in America act, and now all of a sudden, they want to do something different. So either you are for it or you are against it, but you can't have it both ways. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I yield an additional 1 minute to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, on March 15, Border Patrol Chief Ortiz told the Homeland Security Committee that ``cartels control an awful lot of the southern border south of the United States.'' Last time I checked, south of the United States meant Mexico and not five of the nine U.S. Border Patrol sectors. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Menendez).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the child deportation act provision requiring DHS to negotiate with El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to return unaccompanied children will result in 550,000 children being deported back to the violence they fled from over a 10-year period. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 2 is an anti-immigrant and un-Christian bill, just as legislation previously introduced by Representative Roy was. That is why nearly 150 community and religious groups oppose it. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record letters in opposition from 136 community and religious groups, including Bethany Christian Services, Catholic Charities, and Union for Reform Judaism, Sojourners, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Jesuit Conference. May 8, 2023. House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Vote Recommendation Opposing H.R. 2 Secure the Border Act of 2023 Dear Representative: The undersigned state, local, and national immigration, civil rights, public health, education, religious, labor, climate justice, and other organizations write to respectfully request that you VOTE NO on H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023, set to receive a vote on the House floor on May 11. The bill would dismantle the asylum system and cause immeasurable harm to immigrant communities. The newly elected majority is driving an intentionally divisive agenda to amplify anti-immigrant animus without moral and effective policy solutions. We ask you to oppose this anti-immigrant bill that would: 1. Deport Unaccompanied Children. The bill would end Health & Human Services funding for legal representation of unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings, depriving children of the attorneys their safety depends upon. It would also provide only a cursory screening process for children at the border, risking children's summary return to human trafficking and other dangers. The bill subjects all unaccompanied children to an accelerated removal process worse than what currently exists, and allows for detention of unaccompanied children in jail-like border facilities for up to 30 days--ten times longer than permitted under current law. 2. End Asylum. The bill would effectively shut down our current asylum system by adding dozens of new restrictions on asylum, including eliminating the right to seek asylum for those who cross the border between ports of entry and barring asylum for those who transit through a third country. It would make it nearly impossible for migrants to seek asylum in the U.S. and significantly easier to deport asylum seekers, including families and children, into harm's way. This will only sow chaos at the border, rather than ameliorating it. 3. Restart `Remain in Mexico'. The bill would restart the failed and dangerous Remain in Mexico program for all migrants, including unaccompanied children who were previously exempted under the Trump administration. Seeking to unilaterally return asylum seekers to other countries without consulting the receiving country nor the migrant results in refoulement of the migrant to danger and problematic foreign policy implications. 4. Jail Immigrant Families. The bill would require family detention for any families attempting to enter the U.S. to seek asylum, as well as any families who previously entered the U.S. without visas. Like all immigration detention, family detention centers have a well-documented history of abusive conditions, including inadequate medical care and mental health deterioration for asylum seekers, survivors of trauma, and children. 5. Mandate E-Verify. The bill would require E-Verify for all employers in the U.S., severely damaging our economy, harming American workers, and resulting in billions of dollars in lost government revenue. National implementation of E-Verify raises concerns about efficiency, due process, and racial profiling and decreased employment among Latinos. 6. Gut Programs that Work: The bill would strip funding for the Alternative To Detention Case Management Pilot Program, Office of Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and the vital Shelter and Services Program, which has helped communities around the country receive reimbursement for costs related to humanitarian responses to migration. These programs have been effective at providing services crucial to preventing more deaths under CBP custody and immigrant detention and have reduced impacts on receiving communities. 7. Burden our Local Communities by Making it Impossible for Employers to Hire Asylum Seekers with Work Authorization. This bill eliminates work authorization for asylum seekers who cross between ports of entry and requires six month renewal periods for asylum-based employment authorization. Combined with USCIS processing time, this would effectively make it impossible for businesses, even in the face oflabor shortages, to employ asylum seekers. These provisions will exponentially increase the backlogs at users and make it even more difficult for USCIS to timely process applications. This runs counter to bipartisan efforts to improve the employment authorization process for asylum seekers and will create an unnecessary burden on local communities. 8. Undermine Essential Partnerships with Humanitarian Organizations. The bill would bar any and all DHS funding for NGOs, including faith-based NGOs, that provide shelter, transportation, food or legal assistance to vulnerable immigrants, including those who arrive on a visa and later become ``inadmissible.'' Congress should be investing more in non-profit organizations providing respite care, legal service providers, trauma-informed care and community-based service providers, not subjecting them to the punitive measures in this legislation. This measure would impact NGOs across the country that receive DHS funding, including organizations working with FEMA during an emergency-it's ``show me your papers'' for the Red Cross. 9. Resume Building Trump's Border Wall. The bill would restart the construction of the border wall, a harmful waste of taxpayer resources. It would allow DHS to exempt all border infrastructure construction, development, operation, and maintenance from any law except the Constitution, thereby reducing the rule of law at our borders. The bill would also restrict the ability for landowners, local communities and tribes to assert legal challenges opposing the construction of the wall, and thus pave the way for irreparable and unchecked harms to the borderlands. We have already seen the negative consequences from the Trump Administration era resulting in: bulldozed Native American burial sites; dynamited pristine mountain wilderness; segments of the wall being constructed in flood plains; and the unjust seizing of private ranches and farmlands. 10. Eliminate Parole Authority. The bill would decimate the parole power that presidents historically have used to parole individuals in response to humanitarian emergencies or in furtherance of foreign policy objectives. It also precludes the President's recent parole programs for Ukrainians, Afghans, Cubans, Haitians, Nicaragruans, and Venezuelans, and cuts work authorization for parolees. 11. Jail Any Person who Overstays a Visa. The bill would jail and penalize immigrants who have violated any condition of their visa or overstayed by 10 days or more, even for violations that occur due to circumstances beyond the individuals' control such as a medical emergency. This provision would even make it a crime for anyone on a visa to apply for asylum, given they would not have left once their visa expired. Congress should focus on solutions that regularize the status of long-term residents and fix our broken immigration system. 12. Balloon Border Agents. The bill would require Border Patrol to hire enough agents to reach 22,000 on board (currently there are roughly 19,500) and restrict Border Patrol agents from performing ``duties of processing coordinators.'' Processing coordinators currently perform duties such as transporting and processing migrants and carrying out mandatory welfare checks. With only around 1,000 processing coordinators currently in the field, this restriction would seriously hinder Border Patrol's efforts to fairly and efficiently process asylum seekers and carry out their law enforcement mission. CBP is overfunded with funding streams that push resources towards enforcement and wasteful surveillance, while humanitarian needs go underfunded. We urge you to vote in ways that protect immigrants and VOTE NO against H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act of 2023 in the upcoming floor vote. We must oppose racist, xenophobic, unconstructive proposals that add fuel to hate and present no constructive and moral solutions. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, National Organizations: #WelcomeWithDignity Campaign, African Communities Together, Alianza Americas, America's Voice, American Civil Liberties Union, American Federation of Teachers, American Immigration Council, American Immigration Lawyers Association, American Psychological Association, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Asian Americans Advancing Justice AAJC, Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence,

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the first Jackson State University student to receive the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation Award, Miss Maisie Brown of Jackson, Mississippi. For Maisie Brown, activism started with an eight-grade Algebra assignment. Her class was asked to redesign the Mississippi state flag. That made Brown ask, ``Why are we designing a new flag? What's wrong with the old one?'' At the time, the Mississippi state flag featured a Confederate flag as part of its design, and the more Maisie thought about it, the more concerned she became about the message it was sending. ``Flying [the flag] over our state buildings and over schools' little Black children are walking into . . . It was racist, and I found it really disrespectful for the Blackest state in the nation.'' She is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science with a special research interest in how education and environmental policies affect southern black and brown communities. Since her teen years, she has been involved in removing Confederate memorabilia, coordinating clean drinking water to Jackson households, and ensuring incarcerated women have access to feminine hygiene products. As the ACLU of Mississippi's Advocacy Coordinator, she has prioritized engaging young people and created the organization's first-ever Leaders in Action training program. Maisie has contributed to media outlets such as CNN, MSNBC, and Essence, among others, to raise awareness of critical issues, especially the Jackson, MS water crisis. She plans to pursue a PhD in public policy and administration with a concentration in educational policy to ameliorate conditions she faced as a public- school student and expand community resources. She is the proud mother of one year-old, D'Mari and enjoys reading, watching movies, and spending time with family. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing, Miss Maisie Brown for her dedication to improve equality within her city as well as her state.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable servant, Andrea S. Lee. Andrea is a native of Grenada, MS, and is the President and Founder of The Diamond Project, Inc. She attended undergraduate school at The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She earned her Master of Business Administration from The University of Maryland. Andrea works on Capitol Hill for the United States Congress as the Director of Operations for the House Committee on Homeland Security. Andrea is the owner of Showoff Cosmetics, an inspirational beauty brand that encourages individuals to step into their dreams. Within two months of its launch, Showoff Cosmetics was displayed on a billboard in New York City's Time Square in December 2021. Andrea is also owner of Talented Touches by Andrea, where she does event planning/design, cake decorating, sweet treats, gift wrapping and baskets. With over 19 years of experience, Talented Touches by Andrea has provided services for numerous clients, including The Recording Academy (Grammys) and Bravo TV's The Real Housewives of Atlanta. Andrea has served as a volunteer at the 57th Presidential Inauguration of President Barack Obama, worked on the event teams at the 2012 National Democratic Convention and the 2016 Democratic Presidential Debate. Andrea realized her passion for community service in 2012 after starting an annual holiday tradition of adopting families and/or nursing homes in her hometown of Grenada, along with the women in her family, The LoveLee Ladies. In 2014, she became the co-coordinator of a group of female volunteers on Capitol Hill who planned, prepared, and served monthly dinners at a local women's shelter in Washington, D.C. Andrea is a firm believer that ``God blesses us so that we can bless others.'' Therefore, she uses her leadership skills and creative abilities to give back to the community. Andrea is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Andrea S. Lee 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. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a hard-working and impactful leader, Mr. A'Davion D. Bush. Mr. Bush has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to achieve success. Mr. Bush is a 17-year-old resident of Indianola, Mississippi, and a senior at Gentry High School. Originally, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, he moved to the state of Mississippi in 2016 at the age of 11. Moving to Mississippi, he found it to be one of the best decisions he's made in his life and is the most important decision he's made. Living in rural Mississippi, he found that his calling was to serve people, stand up for people, speak for those who can't speak up for themselves, and stand in the gap for people. Today, in his community, he's a community advocate, public servant, and companion. Continuing, he's the founder of the Sunflower County NAACP youth chapter along with a friend, he serves as a legislative assistant to a Mississippi State Representative, and most importantly, he's a teen influencer for Teen Health Mississippi, which is an organization that allows him to advocate for high-quality sex education for all schools across Mississippi right in the Mississippi Capitol. He serves on the Mississippi State Superintendent of School Student Council, which allows him to represent Gentry High school to the fullest and it's something he cherishes all the time. To conclude some of the work he does, he's the founder of Project Chance, which is a project that helps improve the quality of justice- involved youth mental health by finding ways they can combat them. Project Chance's mission is dedicated to an initiative that will give attention and proper treatment to juveniles facing mental health challenges. Project Chance will promote and assist individuals in developing skills that will greatly enhance their mindset, behavior, character, and vision of themselves and others. Project Chance will promote productivity, professionalism, and so much more that will greatly benefit today's communities. After high-school, he plans to attend The University of Mississippi, in Oxford, Mississippi. With confidence, he will further his education in the studies of political science or public policy, which will allow him to enter an accredited program that will allow him to get his juris doctorate in 6 years. Upon graduating college, he plans to move back to the Mississippi Delta or the metropolitan area of Mississippi to serve impoverished communities and provide equal access to legal representation and do so much other work to better all the lives around him. While practicing law, he wants to run for political offices starting at the municipal or county level, moving to the state level, whether that be in the state legislature or state executive office, such as being governor of Mississippi, then potentially U.S. Congress, and concluding with the Presidency of the United States. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. A'Davion D. Bush for his passion, dedication, and tenacity to serving his community and desire to be an example for all.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Faron K. Paramore, Deputy Director of the United States Secret Service, on the occasion of his retirement from Federal service. Over the course of his thirty-four-year career with the Secret Service, Mr. Paramore distinguished himself as a strategic leader and dedicated public servant. From the start of his career as a Special Agent at the Detroit Field Office/Grand Rapids Resident Office in Michigan to his role as Deputy Director, Mr. Paramore helped keep the United States safe from threats to our national security and to our nation's leaders. As Ranking Member and past Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, I had the pleasure of working closely with Mr. Paramore for a number of years, and I came to appreciate his forthrightness and commitment to ensuring the Secret Service reflects the diversity of our great nation. During the course of his service, Mr. Paramore worked diligently to help modernize the Secret Service Uniformed Division, ensure Secret Service employees are paid fairly, and improve recruitment of Special Agents and Uniformed Division Officers. Mr. Paramore's dedication to the Secret Service and its workforce will be sorely missed. Throughout his career, Mr. Paramore worked with Congress to pass laws that strengthen the Secret Service and homeland security, including the Fraud Recovery Act of 2009, Overtime Pay for Protective Services Act of 2016, and National Computer Forensics Institute Reauthorization Act of 2022. Moreover, Mr. Paramore served as Acting Director of the Secret Service during a transition period in 2022, and, at the time of his retirement, Mr. Paramore was the highest ranking African American leader in the Secret Service. I am proud to have worked with Mr. Paramore during his tenure at the Secret Service. I rise to honor his service and wish him well.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Yazoo City High School Boys Basketball team's Class 4A State Championship. On Thursday, March 2, the Yazoo City Varsity Basketball team won their neutral playoff game against Raymond (MS) by a score of 53-43. At the beginning of school when workouts began, all players had the number 27 on the back of their practice workout gear. They didn't understand why they all had the number 27. The number 27 represented how many years it had been since the school's last boys' basketball state championship. It was a reminder every day to work hard so it would not become 28 years. The team embraced the challenge all season and on March 2, 2023, the 27-year drought of a state championship was over. Yazoo City finished with a 30-5 record. I would like to recognize Head Coach Anthony Carlyle, who led his alma mater to the second state title in program history in the Class 4A championship game 27 years later. It's Carlyle's 6th championship as a head coach in Mississippi. He's 6-0 in championship games. I would also like to recognize the student-athletes: Daveon Henry, William Grayson, Damarion Winston, Dalon Henry, Jermon Baymon, Tamarion Hoover, Kortae Meadows, Travis Jones, Jacolby Little, Chris Gates, Demond Collum, Caleb Crozier, Xaquarius Thomas, Cheimion Banks, JaCorion Taylor, TJ Rials, Jr. and Jamarion Bryant. And finally, I would like to recognize the assistant coaches: Richard Bass, Charles Gates and Vernon Morris, the managers, Josh Young, Laterrian Johnson and Jaylan Carlyle and the entire Yazoo City School District for their support in this historic win. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me in recognizing the accomplishments and hard work of the student-athletes, coaches, and volunteers of Yazoo City High School's Varsity Boys Basketball program. I look forward to seeing their continued excellence on the court.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of Marks Mayor, the Honorable Joe Shegog, Jr. Through this revealing communique about his incredible life and his accomplished career, Joe Shegog, Jr. is very pensive as he shares the lessons he has seen and learned on how to live and work. The Crowder, Mississippi raised, Shegog has always felt an appreciation for leadership and management--simply leading by example and being an effective part of the team. ``I am actually standing on the shoulders of my folks,'' Shegog cheerfully declares. The down-to-earth city official grew up in a tight-knit and strong upbringing family alongside his parents, Joe and Elnora Shegog and seven siblings--Joretha, Celestine, Emmett, Magnolia, Joyce, Peggy, and David. However, the Quitman County native has lived in Marks, Mississippi most of his adult life. Shegog graduated from the Quitman County High School in 1971. Thereafter, while studying at nearby Coahoma Community College, he found an interest in local voter registrations, county and state elections, and his true calling, city government as an alderman and finally mayor--all changed his life. Shegog married his wife, Deloise Jackson (of 40 years), and is the father of 3 daughters--Tunya, Nicole, and Megan; the grandfather to 4; and the great-grandfather of 1. Shegog began his career as a railroad employee and an appliance repairman before pivoting to a social worker and a politician. He prides himself on having an eye for what is important and what is likely to have a profound effect on success, survival, and well-being, whether he is managing city operations, examining proposed budgets, overseeing public service departments, presiding at meetings of the board/council, or attending church services. Shegog, 69, has become one of the most admired and respected men in Marks and Quitman County. He is known for the principles instilled in him from his parents as much as his leadership qualities that have sharpened his aim and direction for the City of Marks, although this is his passion and his life's works. During his life and career, Shegog always strives to leave things better than the way he found them. He has enjoyed success as mayor for three decades plus, and Marks has been bookended with a ``Shegog-lead City'' that will echo for years to come. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mayor Joe Shegog, Jr. for his dedication to serving this great state and country.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable musician, Dr. Roderick Little of Jackson, MS. He grew up in a musical family/background. During his matriculation at Jackson State University (JSU), he participated in several ensembles including the famous ``Sonic Boom of the South'', where he played in the percussion section as a snare drummer, marched as part of the Jackson Five Drum major squad, and served as a student arranger for the Sonic Boom and student conductor of the Symphonic Band. Dr. Little studied percussion under Dr. Owen Rockwell, who is his predecessor at JSU. After completing his undergraduate studies, he returned to his high school alma mater, Lanier High School. During his tenure at Lanier, his bands received excellent and superior ratings at marching/concert festivals. He also had students that made the Mississippi All-State Lions Band (top student honor band in MS) In 2012, Dr. Little began as an Assistant Band Director and Instructor of Music at JSU. He was promoted to Associate Director of Bands in 2013, and later, the Marching Band Director in 2015. While Director of the Marching Band, he has maintained the rich traditions of the Sonic Boom while adding a unique twist with the use of technology and other innovative ideas. As director, Dr. Little started several outreach programs which include, but are not limited to, the Summer High School Band Camp and A Day With the Boom; both which act as major recruitment agents for the Department of Music/band program grossing over 400 to 600 students collectively annually. He started the public media relations of the Sonic Boom with the implementation of the Sonic Boom Media Team and strengthened social media platforms. Most importantly, he improved the inner workings of the overall operations of the entire JSU Band(s) program. As the drill writer for the Sonic Boom of the South, having several monumental field shows adding to the band's lustrous history of band pageantry, in the spring of 2020, the Sonic Boom of the South's ``Saints Halftime Show- Salute to the Veterans'' was selected to be featured at the CBDNA-NBC Southern Division Conference, which was the first appearance in the school's history. Dr. Little is an accomplished conductor, clinician, adjudicator, composer, arranger, drill writer, and instrumentalist. He has served as a guest clinician in numerous states across the country. He has also scored piano music for F & S Music KC Publishing Company. He performed with local groups around Jackson, MS, and momentarily in Houston, TX. He has professional affiliations with NAFME, PAS, MAE, MBA, HBCU-NBDC and CBDNA. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Roderick D. Little for his dedication to The Sonic Boom of The South, and impact internationally.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable servant, Audrianna Johnson. Audrianna Johnson, also known as Audri Star, was born July 28, 1994, to Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Sandra Johnson. She was raised in Grenada, MS, where she attended Grenada High School. While attending Grenada High School, Audri was a member of the well-known Grenada Marching Band. Influenced by gospel and being raised in church, she began to write, produce, and record music at the age of 11. After graduating high school, Audri initially enrolled at Delta State University as a Nursing major, but later decided to major in Delta Music Institute (DMI). As a DMI student, she worked as a Mobile Music Lab assistant, leading group sessions with adolescents and teenagers as a mentor, songwriter, artist, producer, and engineer. Audri graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Entertainment Industry Studies with a concentration of Entrepreneurship. After graduating from Delta State University, Audri joined the DMI staff as an administrative assistant and studio manager. She continues to perform across the states of Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, and Oklahoma. Audri has received multiple nominations and awards including SEA Awards as Best Performance of the Year Nominee in 2020 and Best Female Rap Artist of the Year of 2020 at the Memphis Hip Hop Awards. In 2021, Audri joined Tymple as an Executive and Head of A&R. She engineered Tennessee State University's Aristocrat of Bands', recent Grammy Award winning album ``The Urban Hymnal'' for the Best Roots Gospel Album of the Year (2023 ). This album was produced and written by Sir the Baptist, Prof. Larry Jenkins, and Dubba-AA. Audri plans to release new music as an artist and continue to be a part of changing the culture in the most positive way. Audri's motto: ``You have to be what you want to see.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Audrianna Johnson 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. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Mrs. Pandora Redmond-Wills. Mrs. Redmond-Wills has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve success. Pandora Redmond-Wills (born June 29, 1967) is the owner of Hearty Helpings Food Pantry. She is a native of Greenville, MS, and is married to Charles E. Wills, Sr., to whom God has given the same passion and ministry to help those in need. Mrs. Redmond-Willis is a registered nurse, graduate from Baptist School of Nursing, Little Rock, Arkansas. Prior to becoming a registered nurse, she was a licensed Practical nurse for 10 years and a CNA from 1987 to 1988. She has over 35 years of experience in nursing ranging from pediatrics to critical care, including five years each of working in the burn center and dialysis. She holds a special love for Geriatrics, helping the elderly and disabled. In 2014, the soup kitchen was born. The primary goal of the soup kitchen was to offer a hot meal for supper while the Salvation Army was already providing daily lunches. Considering the closure of the Salvation Army in 2018, Hearty Helpings Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen took on the challenge to continue the fight to eliminate hunger in Greenville, MS, Washington County. Numbers more than doubled but services continued. In 2019, Hearty Helpings Food Pantry moved into its current location, 749 Main St, a 60,000 sq.ft. warehouse. During the pandemic, numbers more than doubled and the pantry was serving up to 800 families a week and over 500 hot meals a week. Through a collaboration between MARS Food, Molina Healthcare & Kroger, the pantry was blessed with a 16ft. delivery truck that allows three times as much food to be brought into the community. In 2022, she was awarded: the Human Rights Award, presented by Church Women United, she was also named 2022 Delta Hot Tamale Queen, presented by Main Street Greenville, and the 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Award, presented by 100 Black Men of the Mississippi Delta. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Pandora Redmond-Wills for her passion and dedication and tenacity to serving her community and desire to be an example for all.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor teacher and self-motivated leader, James McBride. James has enjoyed a long career teaching and serving. James is a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University, where he received a Biology and Chemistry Degree. He took a job in Skokie, Illinois, at a cardiovascular research lab, then returned to Mississippi to work for the Department of Agriculture in Prentiss County to help eradicate boll weevils. After his time with the Department of Agriculture, James came back to Bolivar County and took a job teaching at Broadstreet High School in Shelby, MS, for nine and half years. He went to work for Trunkline Gas, where he picked up a lot of skills in communication and public relations by working directly with farmers from Washington, Sunflower, Bolivar, Quitman, and Tallahatchie Counties. Then, James moved to Cleveland and started working with the Cleveland Park Commission. James had top-notch skills working with children because he was a track and assistant football coach at North Bolivar. Then, a position came open to run for alderman in Cleveland, MS. He ran and won and served for five years. When James was elected as a Bolivar County Supervisor in 1997, he was the first minority supervisor for District Four and the third minority supervisor ever in Bolivar County. This year will make 26 years that he has served the district. James' wife also taught school at Parks Elementary School. During his work history, although faced with some challenges, he made good friends across racial lines. In his position as supervisor, he always strived to bring respect, knowledge, and good work ethics. He worked hard to get along with everyone to do his job to the best of his ability. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing James McBride for his dedication to advocacy in education, public service and his selfless service to the Bolivar County and the Mississippi Delta Region.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Robert Erves. Robert Erves has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve. Erves coached Vicksburg's football, track, and powerlifting teams at levels ranging from eighth grade to varsity for nearly 30 years. He had an undefeated season with Vicksburg's eighth-grade football team and led the school's powerlifting team to the MHSAA Class 5A championship in 2003. Erves also had a standout football career as a student in the VWSD. He played at Temple High School, then Warren Central from 1969 to 1972, before starring at Mississippi Valley State. Erves was inducted into the 2022 Vicksburg Warren School District Athletic Hall of Fame. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Robert Erves for his passion and dedication to the Vicksburg Warren School District.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Fire Chief Richard Buford of Jefferson County, Mississippi, for his love, compassion, and service. Richard Buford was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1966. He is the first-born son of Horace Mac ``Shorty'' Buford and Ella Mae Henderson Buford. His grandparents moved him to Stampley, MS, 12 minutes from Fayette, MS, at the age of 2. Richard is a 1984 graduate of the Jefferson County School District and the former football team captain and student government president. He is a retired Career Recruiter of the United States Marine Corps; a Desert Storm Combat Sargeant; with an Associated Degree in Supervisory Leadership from Hawaii Pacific University (Honolulu, HI) with further Leadership Development from Chicago State University (Chicago, IL). In 2001, Richard returned to Jefferson County, MS, and became a small farm lobbyist while still desiring to serve. He became a: 1) Volunteer Firefighter and now Chief; 2) Minister in church and serve the elderly and shut-in the county; 3) Fire Coordinator and Fire Consultant (Jefferson & Claiborne )--established new Fire Grading Districts; Earned Class 8 and 9 Ratings and enlisted over 100 volunteers in each county. Richard is married to Carla Robinson Buford, who is a special education teacher in the Jefferson County Elementary School District. They are the proud parents of three adult children--Marilyn, Richard Jr. and Ella. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Richard Buford, the 2022 Volunteer Fire Chief of the Year, for his outstanding service and commitment.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chair, last Friday night, a lot of Mississippi was damaged by a very serious tornado. Over 20 lives were lost. To paint a picture, these are communities that under the best of times struggle, communities where we don't have public transportation, where there is not a single motel room in the entire county, and where the downtown area no longer exists. For the people of Rolling Fork, Silver City, Black Hawk, and a lot of other Mississippi communities that are only a ZIP Code tied to some other people, we are saddened by that destruction. Importantly, President Biden approved record disaster approval within 2 days because destruction was clear as to the help that was needed. The State of Mississippi and the locals involved in it, we are resilient people, but we can't do it by ourselves. Our national support system has kicked into place. Churches have stepped forward. We look forward to the long-term recovery, and we are talking about years, not months, before those communities will be made whole again. I thank all of you who have expressed your concern and sympathy and those of you who invested in the communities. I can assure you it is much appreciated.