Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. DeFazio), the chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Correa), chair of the House Homeland Security Committee's Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on this measure.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume to say that I appreciate my colleague next door to me citing the section about Federal Labor Relations Authority because that is my reference. It says, ``or successor labor organization.'' And it says in the ``Sunset Provision--The provisions of this section shall cease to be effective as of the conversion date.'' So there are options available. It is not a closed-door process, and we wouldn't have it that way anyway. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Titus).

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a principal at the Jefferson County Junior High School, Mrs. Faye Brown. Mrs. Faye Brown was born and grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida. She attended school and graduated from Palm Beach County School District. Mrs. Brown continued her studies at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia, where she received her undergraduate degree in Political Science with a minor in Management and Organization. After her undergraduate she went on to pursue a master's degree from Alcorn State University in Guidance Counseling, and later a Specialist in Educational Leadership from Jackson State University. Currently, Mrs. Brown is enrolled at William Carey University where she has completed all coursework and is working on the final two chapters of her doctoral dissertation. Mrs. Brown has served the educational community in Jefferson County since August 1998. She is known to have unique distinction of serving educationally from multiple perspectives. She was initially hired in the school district as a high school English teacher. After years progressed teaching ninth and twelfth grade English for four years, Mrs. Brown worked as the high school counselor and test coordinator for five years. During the time as a high school counselor Mrs. Brown became a certified school bus driver. It was at the culmination of five years as a high school guidance counselor that Mrs. Brown moved into service as a school administrator. She started her administrative career at the Jefferson County Elementary School as assistant principal. After five years, she became the Jefferson County Upper Elementary principal and during her tenure it led her to the appointment as the district's School Improvement Officer and Curriculum Director. In this position she was to oversee more than 1-million- dollar SIG grant implementation. At the culmination of the SIG grant, Mrs. Brown returned to a high school and junior high school-based administrative leadership. Mrs. Brown has worked with the Mississippi Department of Education and was selected as a Mississippi Teacher Fellowship participant, as well as a 2017 Prospective Superintendent Leadership Academy completer. Mrs. Brown is committed to improving students educational outcomes at her school and she fully embraces their theme, ``Inspiring Excellence and Promoting Success''. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Faye Brown for her hard work and dedication in the Jefferson County School District.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a worthy member of our society, Mrs. Nsombi Lambright-Haynes. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Nsombi Lambright-Haynes. Nsombi Lambright-Haynes is the Executive Director of One Voice, a statewide leadership development and policy advocacy organization, headquartered in Jackson, MS. The goal of One Voice is to build leadership in an effort to address structural oppressions that show up in the institutions that are significant in the lives of families, including the public education system, voting, the environment, and the criminal justice system. Before beginning her role at One Voice, Nsombi Lambright-Haynes served as the Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Mississippi for eight years. Under her leadership, the ACLU challenged the state's prison system, the denial of voting rights for people with felony convictions, and a number of schools to prison pipeline cases. The ACLU also led several LGBTQ cases during her time there. Nsombi Lambright-Haynes serves on the City of Jackson's Civil Service Commission and Criminal Justice Taskforce and served on the transition teams of Jackson Mayors, Chokwe Lumumba and Chokwe Antar Lumumba. She has received several honors including the Chokwe Lumumba Award for Advancing Social Justice (2019) the Fannie Lou Hamer Humanitarian Award (2012) and the Young Women in the NAACP Award (2008). Nsombi Lambright-Haynes is a 1994 graduate of Tougaloo College (B.A. English-Journalism) and a 1996 graduate of Jackson State University (Master of Public Policy and Administration). Nsombi Lambright-Haynes sits on the boards of the Center for Constitutional Rights, the National Network for Justice and the Mississippi Low Income Child Care Initiative. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and is also a Life Member of the Jackson Branch of the NAACP. She worships at Christ The King Catholic Church in Jackson. She is the mother of an adult son, Julian Lambright and resides in Jackson with her husband, Joseph Christopher Haynes. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Nsombi Lambright-Haynes.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable hero, Helen Carthan Ingram. Helen Carthan Ingram was born March 16, 1952. She is the second child born to Will Carthan, a railroad worker for Illinois Central and Doris Carthan, a housewife. Helen Carthan Ingram spent all her time in Lambert, Mississippi. She was always involved in civil rights from an early age of 16. May 1968, Ingram was involved in the civil rights walk out for the seven civil right workers that were incarcerated in Quitman County Jail. She and three hundred students marched from the Quitman County High School to Quitman County Jail. The jail was guarded by the United States Army National Guardsmen where they were beaten by the United States National Guardsmen. But after all of this, it still did not deter her from being involved with the civil rights movement. Ms. Ingram attended Northwest Community College from 1970 to 1971. She received an associate degree in business administration. She later attended Coahoma Community College from 1982 to 1984, where she received an associate degree in elementary education. She attended Mississippi Valley State University where she received a bachelor's in elementary education. She received a certificate in interim denominational faith from Morehouse University. She was an advocate for civil rights and worked tirelessly to obtain housing for families. She also helped organize the first commemoration of the Mule Train in 1996. She is still actively involved in working with the Poor People Campaign, and with the Mule Train. Ms. Ingram works diligently with Quitman County and the City of Lambert, trying to get different things for the community. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Helen Carthan Ingram for her dedication and remarkable works.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable community servant Ms. Delequa Drake. Ms. Delequa Drake was born in Natchez, MS on December 12, 1986. She graduated with honors from Natchez High School in 2005. From there, she received an Associate of Arts degree from Copiah-Lincoln Community College in 2007. After receiving her Associate's degree, she transferred to Mississippi State University to pursue a degree in education. Upon arrival, she discovered a field (kinesiology) that piqued her interest as well as fed her burning desire to learn anything about everything. Two years later, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education with a concentration in Clinical Exercise Physiology. It was after this feat that this young adult experienced one of life's many curveballs. While prepping and planning to attend graduate school at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, this 22-year-old, Delequa Drake, received a call that would change her life forever. Her favorite person in the world, her grandmother, had just been notified that the lump in her breast was malignant. Ms. Drake decided to put her plans on hold and stay home to be closer to her family. She began working odd jobs that had no connection to her degree to make ends meet. In her downtime, she also volunteered to coach pee-wee basketball in the local recreational league. It was then that she first discovered her love for working with children. The philosophy for her players was ``Grades before Plays'' which worked out fine for everyone except a struggling young reader on the team. Ms. Drake took it upon herself to tutor this struggling reader while coaching him. Much to his surprise and hers, the tutorials worked better than expected. The student's grade began to increase mightily. His reading grade improved from a letter grade of D to a letter grade of B by the end of the semester. Still, Ms. Drake had no clue that teaching was where she belonged. It wasn't until a few more success stories later that she even considered reverting to her original plan of teaching. After a lot of urging from family and friends, she was now 27 years old and finally decided to pursue her passion by taking the necessary steps toward becoming a teacher. She enrolled in Belhaven University's Master of Arts in Teaching program in the Fall of 2016 and never looked back. Ms. Drake became the 2019-2020 Teacher of The Year from Gilmer McLaurin Elementary School. Congratulations to Ms. Delequa Drake for her accomplishments. She still lives by the philosophy of ``Grades before Plays'' and tries to instill in every child that she crosses paths with the importance of learning and her love for reading. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Delequa Drake for her dedication and tenacity to serving the community and the desire to be an example for all.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mrs. Ruthie Mae Ransom Morris. Ruthie Mae Ransom Morris was born on October 24, 1942 in Leland, Mississippi, to Henry Parker Ransom, Sr. and Blanche Johnson Ransom. She was the sixth of their ten (10) children. Ruthie accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized under the leadership of her uncle, Reverend Clarence Johnson, who was the Founder and Senior Pastor of the Shady Grove South Missionary Baptist Church (SGSMBC) in Greenville, Mississippi. During her years at SGSMBC, Ruthie sang in the Senior Choir, typed and printed the Church bulletins, organized special events, and served as a trusted confidant and adviser to Reverend Clarence Johnson as well as to his successor, Pastor Solomon B. Miller. Following Pastor Miller's departure from SGSMBC, Ruthie continued to serve under Pastor Gregory C. Lance, Sr., who, like Pastor Miller, not only became the Senior Pastor of SGSMBC, but was also ``a spiritual son'' to Ruthie. In 1997, Ruthie joined Agape Storge Christian Center (ASCC) under the leadership of Dr. Thomas Paul Williams, who was a lifelong family friend and former member of SGSMBC. During her years at ASCC, Ruthie served as a Greeter before answering God's call for her to become an ordained minister. In 2011, Ruthie obtained her Minister's License after graduating from the ASCC School of Ministry. She faithfully served on the Ministry Team until her health began to fail in April of 2019. Ruthie was educated in the Bolivar County Public Schools in Rosedale, Mississippi and in the Greenville Public Schools where she graduated from Coleman High School in the Class of 1960. She also attended Alcorn A&M College in Lorman, Mississippi where she first majored in Early Elementary Education. However, after her first day of practice teaching with a classroom full of young children, Ruthie quickly realized that she was in the wrong field and changed her major to Business Administration. She was the first of her siblings to both graduate from high school and attend college. After leaving Alcorn A&M College, Ruthie returned home to Greenville where she worked as a Secretary in the Greenville Public Schools at T.L. Weston High School and E.E. Bass Jr. High School before starting her banking career as a Teller. Throughout her career in banking, she worked at various banks including Commercial National Bank, Trustmark Bank, and Sunburst Bank, which later became Union Planters Bank before eventually becoming present day Regions Bank. Ruthie's natural gift for accurately and speedily counting money; her excellent people skills; and her strong work ethic led to her meteoric rise in every bank where she worked. Not only was she chosen to train numerous Tellers who came after her, but she eventually became the first African-American Branch Manager of a bank in Greenville, Mississippi. After retiring from Regions Bank, in the summer of 1996, Ruthie was hired as the Office Manager at lnfipro Security for several years before her love for both ministry and business led her to become the Bookkeeper at The Salvation Army in Greenville, Mississippi. She ``officially'' ended her work career when she retired from her bookkeeping position at The Salvation Army in 2012. However, in 2016, Ruthie was recruited to become the Office Manager at Jackson Heating and Air Conditioning where she remained for two (2) years and acquired yet another ``spiritual son,'' Malcom Jackson, who was her boss. Despite being a working mom with three (3) children, Ruthie still found time to be civically and politically active in her community. For more than thirty (30) years, Ruthie served on the Board of Directors of the Brent Daycare Center, which later became known as The Greenville Daycare and Learning Center (TGDALC). While serving on the Board of TGDALC, Ruthie worked closely with her fellow Board Members as well as various Directors, including Ruby Gloria Washington, who also became a close friend of Ruthie's; and Dollie Creath, who became a mentee of Ruthie's. Throughout her years on the Board of TGDALC, Ruthie formed strategic partnerships with various agencies to secure the necessary funding in order to ensure that numerous children throughout the South End and all over the City of Greenville were able to obtain an excellent pre-school education. She remained on the Board of Directors of TGDALC until it eventually closed its doors. In addition to her civic engagements with several organizations including her beloved Coleman High School Class of 1960, Ruthie was passionate about politics. In fact, she canvassed Delta neighborhoods and traveled around the State of Mississippi in order to get Democratic candidates elected on the local, state, and national levels. For many years, Ruthie was an active member of the Washington County Democratic Party, and she worked closely with the Democratic National Committee (DNC). She not only campaigned for State Democratic candidates such as Robert Clark, but in 1987, Ruthie campaigned diligently to elect Mike Espy to the U.S. House of Representatives (MS 2nd District). Then, in 1993, she helped to secure victory for Bennie Thompson when he successfully ran for Mississippi's same 2nd Congressional seat after Mike Espy became the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. In 1988, while serving as the Precinct Captain of 3-1, Ruthie galvanized the highest voter turnout in the precinct's history, which played a pivotal role in electing Mississippi's 60th Governor, Raymond Mabus, Jr. In 1993 and 1994, Ruthie was also instrumental in helping to elect Greenville attorneys, Johnnie E. Walls, Jr. and Willie Bailey to the Mississippi State Senate (12th Senatorial District) and the Mississippi State House of Representatives (49th District), respectively. Because Ruthie was such a gracious hostess who maintained a lovely home, she was often called upon to host visiting dignitaries at her residence, including The Reverend Jesse Jackson, Sr., Minister Louis Farrakhan, Judge James Earl Graves, Jr., and former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young's daughter, Andrea Young, just to name a few. Moreover, long before the ``Me Too Movement,'' Ruthie recognized the need for women to hold political offices. As a result, she served as the Campaign Manager or as a volunteer for numerous female candidates, including Vernita King Johnson, Bernadine Young (Deceased), Laverne Moore Holmes, Margaret Carey-McCray, and Estelle Pryor, among others. Ruthie was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Blanche; her siblings, Martha (Bay) Birkhead Brewer, Alma Catherine (Gloria) Ransom, Marguerite (Sister) Clark, Betty Jean (Beh Jean) Walker, Henry (Bay Brother/Ramp) Ransom, Jr., Clarence (Scrappy) Ransom, and Charles (Bimbo) Ransom. She will be missed by many more. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Ruthie Mae Ransom Morris for her dedication to serving others and giving back to her community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a resourceful and ambitious woman, Ms. Valerie Bernard. Valerie has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to serve others. Ms. Valerie Bernard who is amid her 24th year teaching, is a second- grade teacher at Dana Road Elementary School in Vicksburg, Mississippi. With both a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi College, Bernard began her career teaching in the Jackson Public Schools at Powell Middle School. She also taught at Sykes Elementary School in Jackson before moving to St. Therese in the Diocese of Jackson in 2011. In 2014, she returned to Jackson Public Schools, teaching math and social studies at John Hopkins. She later moved to fifth grade at John Hopkins before coming to Dana Road Elementary in 2018. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Valerie Bernard for her passion and dedication and a desire to make a difference in the lives of children.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable community servant Mr. Al White. Mr. White was born in Duck Hill, Mississippi in July of 1955. Duck Hill is in Montgomery County, a county laden with much civil rights history. Mr. White has committed his life to documenting and preserving this history. Mr. White graduated from Duck Hill High School in 1973. He is also a graduate of Mississippi Valley State University. Mr. White worked with ``Why Was Mississippi Burning'' in response to the ``Mississippi Burning'' documentary. He documented the inception of Southern Echo and other entities. He's worked with the NAACP, COFO, ACLU, Kellogg, and the Algebra Project. He also continues to be instrumental in documenting the conferences, events, and interviews around the Veterans of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement. Mr. White is currently the Director of the MVSU TV Studio and Instructor at Mississippi Valley State University. In this role, he shares the history of the civil rights movement with his students, ensuring that this history is passed on to the next generation. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Al White for his dedication and tenacity to serving his community and desire to be an example for all.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I thank Mr. Collins very much for yielding. This is kind of emotional for me, because I knew this young man's mother before she died, a very wonderful lady who suffered an unfortunate tragedy at the hands of some dastardly individuals. But more importantly, we are a better country than what that deed dictates. I support Congressman Rush's bill. It is a bill that is long overdue. But just as important, we have to commit ourselves to making this country a better country. In the little town of Glendora, where the fan that was attached to young Emmett's body that sank in the Tallahatchie River was found, there is a little museum dedicated not only to Mr. Till, but to the atrocities that have occurred in my district over time. Madam Speaker, I compliment those individuals for putting the museum together and also for dedicating themselves to letting the world know what happened, but also recommitting ourselves to try not to let it happen again. So we must pass this legislation, Madam Speaker. We must pass it to correct the inactions of those before us. The inaction of others does not relieve one of the obligation to do what is right.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, today, I rise in support of H.R. 35, the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, a bill that will specify lynching as a hate crime. This bill corrects a longstanding omission from Federal civil rights law. Historically, nearly 200 antilynching bills were filibustered out of existence or just plain ignored. Lynchings were violent and public acts of torture used for nearly a century to enforce racial segregation. This legislation is long overdue. Lynchings were wrong, immoral, and inhumane. This bill is named in honor of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American youth from Chicago who was lynched in my district in 1955 while visiting an uncle in Mississippi. There is a memorial dedicated to Mr. Till in my district. Unfortunately, it is the only memorial in America that has to be bulletproof.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding an additional minute. In years past, the signs have been stolen, thrown in the river, replaced; shot, replaced again; shot again; defaced with acid; and had ``KKK'' spray-painted on them. The signs were placed near the spot where Mr. Till's body was pulled from the Tallahatchie River in 1955. The 14-year-old was tortured and killed by two White men after false accusations that he flirted with a White woman. His death became an important catalyst in the civil rights movement. With the passage of this bill, we hope to heal the past and present racial injustice. Our country is in need of reconciliation. Lynching claimed the lives of an immeasurable number of African Americans, yet the perpetrators were never held accountable. Conversely, official inaction has left lasting scars on our communities. Today, I represent Mississippi's Second Congressional District, which includes the area where Emmett Till was lynched. His murderers were never held accountable for what they did.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding. I rise in strong support of S. 2107, the Protecting America's Food and Agriculture Act of 2019. Americans are blessed to live in a country where, in most communities, we can find healthy, fresh foods at our grocery stores. That does not just happen. Our Nation's food supply and agricultural industry make it happen. As such, the agricultural industry is an indispensable sector of our national economy. Every year, millions and millions of pounds of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, and meats enter the United States via commercial shipments from other countries. While this flow of agricultural trade is fundamental to our economy and way of life, it does carry with it risk of importation diseases, pests, and compromised products. To address this risk, agricultural inspectors in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspect incoming food and agricultural goods at our land, air, and sea ports. Additionally, these inspectors interview passengers on incoming international flights to determine whether they are carrying prohibited agricultural items, because even an accidental transmission of a foreign pest or disease into our country could potentially devastate our agricultural system. With African swine flu rampant in Asia, accounting for the deaths of millions of pigs as a result of disease, or to control this deadly disease, it is critical that the U.S. have adequate inspection resources in place. S. 2107 would help ensure that we have agriculture inspectors in place to perform this critical mission. I commend my counterpart in the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Gary Peters, and my former committee colleague Representative Filemon Vela for their leadership on this timely effort. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this measure and send this bill to the President's desk.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of my bill, H.R. 1494, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Homeland Security Partnerships Act. As a two-time HBCU graduate, I have long been an advocate of these important institutions and creating more opportunities for them to work with the Federal Government. Throughout the 15 years that I have served on the Committee on Homeland Security, I have made it a priority to facilitate dialogue between the HBCUs and the Department of Homeland Security on how to build meaningful partnerships. As the gentlewoman from New Mexico has already mentioned, HBCUs and minority-serving institutions have and continue to make great contributions to American society. That is why it is critical that we encourage DHS to strengthen partnerships between HBCUs and MSIs. After Hurricanes Katrina and Maria, it became clear how the absence of individuals from minority communities in homeland security decisionmaking, such as emergency management and planning, hinders our ability to serve all affected communities equally. Minority communities are disproportionately impacted by natural hazards and disasters. It is imperative that the students of those communities--HBCU and MSI students--are not left on the sidelines and are encouraged to contribute to such planning and equipped to respond. Enactment of my bill will take a step in this direction, as it requires DHS to develop a strategy to strengthen its capacity to provide research and development, contracting, and internships and career opportunities to HBCUs and MSIs and their students or recent graduates. The bill also requires the Department to do more outreach and disseminate more information to these institutions. Such information includes internships and career opportunities and how HBCUs and MSIs may qualify to participate in Federal acquisitions. I thank my colleague from Missouri, Representative Luetkemeyer, for his support on this important measure. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on its passage.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. DeJuan Watts, Sr., a remarkable individual with phenomenal communal involvement impacting the lives of others through service and outreach in the community. As a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Delta, Dejuan Watts, Sr. exemplifies the necessary intangible characteristics of perseverance, selflessness, integrity, and resilience. While every human should exemplify these qualities, there are certain individuals who epitomize those assets and adopt standards far beyond those as essential peculiarities. It takes special mentorship and unwavering commitment to become one of those individuals. Dejuan Watts, Sr. embeds this into individuals who have been heartened by his numerous services positively affecting communities, careers, and ultimately lives. Mr. Watts has proven to be a socially and academically incisive individual. A graduate of Quitman County High School, COGIC Seminary, and a current student of Liberty University working untiring hours within our communities and beyond, he continually expresses adoration for being involved in encouraging the well-being of others. Though willingly helping each person possible is important, he has a partiality for helping young men. Over the last 30 years, Mr. Watts has worked alongside Boyz to Men Mentoring, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, Quitman County School District, Quitman County Development Organization, M. S. Palmer Performing Arts, and most recently Tougaloo College's Delta Health Partners Healthy Start Initiative. Through the latter mentioned, Mr. Watts utilizes social work services aimed to empower and encourage young men to be present and active fathers to grow and sustain healthy family relationships. Completing countless hours of community service and volunteerism he continually seeks opportunities to serve, illustrating his work ethic, generosity, and leadership. Dejuan Watts whole heartedly shows the importance of family in the community: as husband of Pearl Gordon Watts; father of two sons: Dejuan, Jr. and Torian Watts; two daughters in love: Nakisha and Jalisa Watts; and two very special grandchildren: Harlem and Kingston. He also serves as clergy in the community, appointed by the Northern Mississippi Jurisdiction Presiding Bishop and as Pastor of Rose Chapel Church of God In Christ in Crenshaw, MS. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. DeJuan Watts, Sr. as an unwittingly committed member of our community. Given his devotion to continual improvement of youth, health, and wellness DeJuan Watts, Sr. upholds moral and ethical standards of remarkable caliber.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable pubic servant, Dr. Hilliard Lawrence Lackey, III. Hilliard Lawrence Lackey, III, was born to the late Hilliard Lawrence, Jr. and Cora Lackey on October 9, 1942. Dr. Lackey earned three degrees from Jackson State University: Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science, Master of Science Degree in Education Administration/Supervision and an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Administration. Dr. Lackey also earned a Master of Arts in Historical Geography at the University of Arkansas and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Higher Education Administration at the University of Mississippi. Dr. Hilliard L. Lackey was an Assistant Professor of History and Alumni President (2004 to 2010) before he became Assistant to the Executive Vice President for External Affairs at Jackson State University (1967 to 2002). He also taught at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis in 2003 and 2004, and parts of 2005 and 2006. Dr. Lackey's talent and hobbies include: being a football referee and baseball umpire; a columnist for the Mississippi Link, St. Louis American, Clarksdale Press Register, and The Scoop; and a television program host for Scope and radio news director of the WMPR radio station. Dr. Lackey is married to the love of his life, former Lillian Troupe, a math teacher at Powell Middle School. They have four beautiful children: Dr. Katrina Lackey Davis, a Medical Doctor at the University of Tennessee Medical School; Hilliard L. Lackey, IV, a recipient of a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas; Tahirih Charryse Lackey, a Ph.D. candidate at Georgia Tech; and Darryl William Lackey, an undergraduate student at Jackson State University who retired from Jackson State in 2010. Dr. Lackey became a writer at an early age and published a book, ``Marks, Martin and the Mule Train'' in 1998 because there was no written information about the events of the Mule Train and the Poor People's Campaign during 1968 from Marks, MS to Washington, D.C. Another major accomplishment is that Dr. Lackey was the First Black Park Ranger at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico during the summers of 1964, 1965, 1966. Dr. Lackey felt it was his appointed duty to answer the call of President Lyndon Baines Johnson and help integrate the National Park Service. Although he was terrified as a young man being so far away from the cotton fields of Marks, his birthplace, he conquered his fear. Dr. Lackey survived three summers, mastered his job and paved the way for others. One of his encouraging encounters was when a black custodian working at the site put down his broom and became a Park Ranger during the time of his last year working there. Dr. Lackey also an unpublished book about being the First Black Park Ranger at Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Hilliard Lawrence Lackey for his successes and accomplishments.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mr. Michael A. Gater, a native of Jackson, Mississippi. He is a proud 1984 honors' graduate of Jackson State University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. In July 2019 Mr. Gater was named the Director of Human Resources for the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA), which is the governing entity for the Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) and Hawkins Field (General Aviation) Airport (HKS). He is responsible for managing and integrating broad, comprehensive human resource management programs and safety for the Authority at JAN and HKS. For over twenty-one years, Mr. Gater dedicated his career to enhancing the management of resources related to employees. Prior to joining the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority, he served as the Regional Site Human Resources Manager at Faurecia Automotive Seating for its Madison and Cleveland, Mississippi plants. His experience spans several industries (Auto Manufacturing, Cable and Entertainment, Waste Services and Retailing), where he has held corporate, division, and regional/field HR leadership roles. Committed to giving back to the HR industry and to his community, Mr. Gater is a life-long member and Past President of the Rho Xi Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He is the former Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated Director of National Programs for the District of Mississippi and serves on the Mississippi Alpha Network Executive Board as the Area Director for Jackson, Brookhaven, and Canton. Mr. Gater also serves on the March of Dimes Central Mississippi Board of Directors. Mr. Gater has held previous board positions with Anderson United Methodist Church, Capital Area HR Association, and United Way of the Capital Area, Jackson Council PTA, Mississippi PTA and Mississippi Children's Home Services (Canopy Children's Solutions). He resides in Jackson, Mississippi with his wife, Mrs. Ada Gater. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Michael A. Gater.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker and fellow colleagues I rise today to honor a worthy member of our society, Dr. Erica Gee- Bradley. Dr. Gee-Bradley brings over 25 years of experience working in the Jackson Public School District. She has served generations of scholars and parents in the capacity of a classroom teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. After 13 years of dedicated leaderships and principal of Galloway Elementary School, she proudly accepted the invitation to leap into secondary leadership at the high school level. Dr. Gee-Bradley currently serves as Assistant Principal and 9th Grade Academy Instructional Administrator at Provine High School. Dr. Bradley received her Doctor of Philosophy in Education Administration and Supervision from Jackson State University. She received her Master of Science in Education Administration and Supervision from Jackson State University. Dr. Gee-Bradley graduated with honors from Tougaloo College with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Erica Gee-Bradley.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and ambitious woman, Mrs. Sylvia Newman-Green. Sylvia has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to serve others. Sylvia was born in Louise, Mississippi and attended school in the Humphreys County School district. She graduated from high school in 1995 and went on to attend MS Valley State University where she earned her Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science. Sylvia later earned her Master of Science Degree in Technology Education from Jackson State University, where she was a member of the Epsilon Pi tau Technology Honor Society. Sylvia Newman-Green worked for Bank Plus for three years and worked over nine years for the Mississippi Department of Employment Security as an employment interviewer and for the Internet Technology Department at their Yazoo City office. She began working for the Yazoo County School District on July 1, 2011, as an IT Professional. Over the years, Sylvia's duties grew and soon her job titles changed. She is currently the Director of Publicity and Technology Specialist. Sylvia is also the owner of Premier Designs Jewelry and SassyDesignz08 T-Shirt Boutique. Sylvia and her husband Nakia, Sr. are the parents of two boys: Dontrell and Donavin. She is heavily involved in school activities as a parent, but also volunteer in various capacities. She is the Co-Sponsor for the Yazoo County National Beta Club Society and is certified as an athletic Coach through the MS High School Activities Association. Outside of her volunteer efforts with Yazoo County Schools, she is involved with the Youth Department at Peter Rock Church of God in Christ, Junior Auxiliary of Yazoo City, Elite Club of Yazoo City and Mentors and educate local youth and senior citizens on technology. Sylvia is a Charter Member of the Omega Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. of Yazoo City. Sylvia has served as chapter Treasurer for seven years and Budget and Finance Chair and has served on several other committees. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Sylvia Newman-Green for her passion and dedication to serving Yazoo County, and her desire to make a difference in the community and preparing children for the future.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Captain Veronica Peppers, a resident of Madison County, Mississippi. Captain Peppers is a 1990 graduate of Velma Jackson High School. Captain Peppers graduated May 1996 with a BS in Mass Communication from Jackson State University. She also received the prestigious honor of Captain of Mississippi Army National Guard in March 2016. Although she had the task of juggling the roles of a full-time wife, mother of two daughters, a student, and an employee, her life has been quite a challenge and a rewarding experience. As she continued the journey to pursue her degree and stay actively engaged in her community, she is reminded of an encouraging scripture, ``For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'' (Jeremiah 29:11). Captain Peppers enrolled in the Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Leadership Cognate at Liberty University. After 22 years since completing her studies at Jackson State University, she maintained a 4.0 GPA during her first semester in the program, only by God's grace and mercy. Veronica received a new assignment in the Mississippi Army National Guard as a Training Officer of the 298th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion in Philadelphia, Mississippi, where she provides operation and training management guidance to the battalion for more than 630 service members. Her additional duties included Equal Opportunity Advisor, Antiterrorism Officer, and Family Readiness Group Coordinator. She is a graduate of Leadership Madison County (1990) and a current life member of both National Guard Association of the United States and National Guard Association of Mississippi, where she currently serves on the board of directors as the Company Grade Officer Representative. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Captain Veronica Peppers.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable community servant Margaret Tate. Margaret has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and the desire to serve others. Mrs. Tate and her husband, Nelson, are Yazoo City residents who make invaluable contributions to their community. Margaret volunteers at the Baptist Medical Center in Yazoo where she was named ``Volunteer of the Year'' in 2017. Margaret is a retired speech-language therapist of 32 years with the Holmes County School District. She is an active, dedicated member of King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church where she serves with Mother's Ministry. She is a lifetime member of the Mississippi Valley State University National Alumni Chapter where she serves as secretary. She is also a member of the MS Association of Retired Educators. Mrs. Tate volunteers at the Manna House helping to sort clothes and serve meals to the people in the community. Margaret enjoys reading, traveling and serving others. Her joining the hospital auxiliary volunteers provided this opportunity that has proven to be a rewarding experience. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Margaret Tate 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, the question that will be answered today is: Will Members honor their oath to uphold the Constitution? Democrats are not supporting impeachment based on a policy disagreement or the election results of 2016. No one is above the law. The President must be held accountable. A constitutional process is not a hoax or a witch hunt. President Trump just opposes it. No one is above the law, not even President Donald J. Trump. The President abused his power by pressuring Ukraine to help his reelection campaign. Impeachment is a constitutional remedy for these actions. Trump betrayed his oath, betrayed the Constitution, and undermined the integrity of our elections. Those who are against the impeachment inquiry are willing to turn a blind eye to constitutional violations by the President. As a nation, we have no other alternative. We must protect our Constitution and the United States of America. In his own words: ``No intelligent person believes what he is saying.''

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Lieutenant Colonel George Torrie Jackson, Jr. who is a native of Jackson, MS. LTC Jackson holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science and master's degree in Education Administration, both from Jackson State University. LTC Jackson is a 30-year member of the U.S. Army Reserve/ Mississippi Army National Guard and veteran of Operation Iraq Freedom. He began his military career as a Petroleum Laboratory Specialist (E-3) (894th Quartermaster Company, Jackson, MS--1988 to 1992), then as a Finance Specialist (E-4) (210th Finance Battalion, Jackson, MS--1992 to 1996). LTC Jackson was commissioned through the Mississippi Military Academy (Class 38), Camp Shelby, MS in 1996. As a commissioned officer, LTC Jackson has held many duty assignments to include positions as a Subsistence Officer, (114th Area Support Group, Hattiesburg, MS--1996 to 1997), Platoon Leader (3656th Maintenance Company, Camp Shelby, MS-- 1997 to 1998) Detachment Commander (3656th Maintenance Company, DET 1, Waynesboro, MS--1998 to 2000), Maintenance Control Officer/Executive Officer (3656th Maintenance Company, Camp Shelby, MS--2000 to 2001), Detachment Commander/Executive Officer (3656th Maintenance Company, DET 2, Gloster, MS--2001 to 2002), S-1 Personnel Officer (298th Maintenance Battalion, Philadelphia, MS--2002 to 2003), Service and Support Officer (114th Area Support Group, Hattiesburg, MS--2003 to 2006). During Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004) LTC Jackson served as the C4 Sustainment Battle Captain and Coalition Acquisition Review Board (CARB and Super CARB) secretary. His next successive assignments included Company Commander (1/185th--Aviation Battalion, E Company, Jackson, MS--2006 to 2008), S-3 Operations Officer (8/108th Transportation Battalion, Jackson, MS--2008 to 2012), Executive Officer (8/108th Transportation Battalion, Jackson, MS--2012 to 2014), and Materiel Readiness Branch Chief (377th Theater Sustainment Command, Belle Chasse, LA--2014 to 2016). LTC Jackson currently serves as the Battalion Commander of the 5th Logistic Civil Augmentation Program (LOGCAP) Support Battalion, located in Sheffield, AL. LTC Jackson's awards and commendations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, NATO Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Overseas Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Mississippi Emergency Service Medal and the Mississippi Longevity Medal. In his civilian capacity, LTC Jackson serves as a school administrator for the Holmes County School District Central High School, located in Lexington, MS, and holds the rank of Lieutenant with the Hinds County Sheriffs Office--Reserve Division in Jackson, MS. LTC Jackson, his wife, Dr. Debra Mays-Jackson, and two sons, Cameron and Kendall, currently live in Terry, MS. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Lieutenant Colonel George Torrie Jackson, Jr.