Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mrs. Ethel C. Mangum who is a native of Madison County. Many of her formative years were spent in the Virden Addition Area. She attended school at Walton Elementary and Brinkley High School. At Jackson State University she earned a B.S. and Masters degree in Social Work and Guidance. For twenty-eight years she has been an active member of Farish Street Baptist Church and its E. B. Topp Missionary Circle. Mrs. Mangum has done extensive volunteer work which included: teaching and reading at Powell Middle School; serving as Co-Chairperson of Lake Hico Eubanks Creek Neighborhood Association; working as an HIV/ AIDS educator for the American Red Cross; working with children to prevent teenage pregnancy; and motivating them toward moral and academic excellence. Mrs. Mangum has been a ``first'' in opening opportunities for others by becoming the first African-American woman to hold a professional position at Baptist Children's Village; the first African-American woman to work for Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. Consulting Engineers; and for SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect). She was one of two females who integrated the lunch room at St. Dominic's Hospital. Mrs. Mangum currently strives for excellence in the community through her position as Administrative Assistant for Ward 3. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Ethel C. Mangum for her dedication to serving others.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Jerusalem Outreach Child and Adult Learning Center in Charleston, MS. It is locally referred to as JOCI (Jerusalem Outreach Center Incorporated). JOCI was established as a nonprofit organization in the year 2000. JOCI was one of the partners in a county wide effort to provide service to citizens living in hard to reach and underserved communities in Tallahatchie County like Paynes and Glendora. JOCI's goal is to meet the educational and health and social welfare needs of both children and adults regardless of race. Their partner Glendora Economic and Community Development Corporation (GECDCo) focused on the development needs of the communities like housing, recreation, jobs, and more. In order to achieve the above goals JOCI hosts health fairs and provides a long list of services. The services include, but are not limited to: personal counseling, referrals to outside resources, depending on the issue; social therapy for special needs clients; child care; after school care and services; educational classes; tutoring; and more. Since 2000, JOCI's record of achievement has attracted new partners to their effort: Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute, Quality Stars, the Department of Human Services, and the Tallahatchie Early Learning Alliance (TELA). Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Jerusalem Outreach Child & Adult Learning Center in Charleston, MS for their work in those hard to reach communities in Tallahatchie County, MS.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lanier High School. It takes its name from the late, distinguished, William Henry Lanier, a former President of Alcorn College and the first Supervisor of Jackson Colored Public Schools. Lanier was born a slave in Huntsville, Alabama in 1851. He attended Tougaloo College, Oberlin College, and Fisk University and received his B.A. degree from Roger Williams University. He served as president of Alcorn A&M for six years. Lanier taught school in Forest, Winona, Black Hawk, Carrollton, Yazoo City, and Jackson. He was principal of the Robertson School from 1912-1929. Lanier was first organized as a junior-senior high school in 1925, providing instruction for pupils from the seventh through the twelfth grades. A new chapter was added to our history when, on February 8, 1954, they transferred from the old Lanier at 136 East Ash Street and occupied the new Lanier Junior-Senior High School building at 833 West Maple Street. On January 27, 1972, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered that Lanier School be designated as a center for the enrollment of 10th, 11th and 12th grade students. In 1991, 9th grade students were added to the enrollment. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Lanier High School.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a philanthropist, the late Randy Naylor, Sr. Mr. Naylor has shown what can be done through hard work, setting goals, and aiming high. Randy Naylor, Sr. was born June 23, 1953, in Vicksburg, MS to George Washington and Lillian B. Naylor. He was a humble and caring man who was always in good spirit. Randy was a graduate of Rosa A. Temple High School Class of 1973, where he served as a Drum Major. He also attended Hinds Community College where he studied Criminal Justice. Randy was employed with Vicksburg Warren School System as a bus driver and ISD Teacher. He also worked nights at the Merchant Company as well as a security guard for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He joined the Vicksburg Police Department in 1988. Randy was the recipient of the ``Officer of the Year'' award on numerous occasions. He had extensive training in all aspects of law enforcement, criminal and juvenile investigation. In 2008, Randy was elected Constable for Warren County where he served until his death. Naylor was also a Notary Public for the state of Mississippi. Randy volunteered his time to the Salvation Army, Kings Head Start, which he later adopted and provided clothes and books to the kids at the center. He also volunteered at the River City Rescue Mission. Randy spoke to various youth groups at churches throughout the city. Randy also worked diligently with the city summer program, ``Street Ball'' which is now called the Randy Naylor Summer Youth Program. He secured various partnerships throughout the city for supplies for the program. Mr. Naylor's work as a Resource officer in the Vicksburg/ Warren School District allowed him to develop good relationships with the youth that made his impact on the ``Street Ball'' program extremely important in the realm of community policing. Students and young people would listen to him when no other officer could get them to cooperate. Parents trusted him with their kids and criminals knew better than to cross him all because of the relationships he built through his work in the community. As a member of Calvary Baptist Church he served as an Usher and the President of the Layman's Ministry. He was married to Dorothy Naylor for 40 years. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the late Mr. Randy Naylor, Sr. for his dedication to serving our great city in the Vicksburg/Warren community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 of Greenwood, Mississippi. The Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 of Greenwood, Mississippi was the first African American Post established in the State of Mississippi and came about due to the perseverance of eighteen determined Black Veterans of World War I and World War II in the Mississippi Delta. These veterans attempted to join Keeler-Hamrick-Gillespie Post Number 29 which refused them membership. Given that this was the 1940s and Mississippi being a segregationist state, Post Number 29 could not get a majority vote of its members to allow black veterans to join their post. The eighteen black veterans filed a petition to start a new post and presented it to the Mississippi Department of the American Legion. Mr. Solomon N. Dickerson, a black veteran, postal worker and co-worker of Mr. Author H. Ritchter, the Adjutant of Post Number 29, worked to get the petition through the District. It was due to their vigorous and persistent correspondence to the District and the Mississippi Department of the American Legion that they were allowed to form a separate post if they could find a sponsor. Keesler-Hamrick-Gillespie Post Number 29 agreed to serve as a sponsor to assist Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 in getting the temporary charter, paving the way for other charters to be granted to other black veteran's groups throughout the state of Mississippi. Originally, the post was called the Mississippi Delta Post Number 200. Mr. L.H. Threadgill, principal of Stone Street High School, a veteran of World War II, proposed that the post be named after two former students of Stone Street High School, that were killed in action during WWII. The motion carried and the name was adopted. Thompson- Clemons Post Number 200 was granted a permanent charter on July 28, 1949, becoming the first Black post in the State of Mississippi. The first Post Commander was Mr. Solomon N. Dickerson.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mrs. Ethel C. Mangum who is a native of Madison County. Many of her formative years were spent in the Virden Addition Area. She attended school at Walton Elementary and Brinkley High School. At Jackson State University she earned a B.S. and Masters degree in Social Work and Guidance. For twenty-eight years she has been an active member of Farish Street Baptist Church and its E.B. Topp Missionary Circle. Mrs. Mangum has done extensive volunteer work which included: teaching and reading at Powell Middle School; serving as Co-Chairperson of Lake Hico Eubanks Creek Neighborhood Association; working as an HIV/ AIDS educator for the American Red Cross; working with children to prevent teenage pregnancy; and motivate them toward moral and academic excellence. Mrs. Mangum has been a ``first'' in opening opportunities for others by becoming the first African American Woman to hold a professional position at Baptist Children's Village; the first African American woman to work for Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. Consulting Engineers; and for SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect). She was one of two females who integrated the lunch room at St. Dominic's Hospital. Mrs. Mangum currently strives for excellence in the community through her position as Administrative Assistant for Ward 3. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Ethel C. Mangum for her dedication to serving others.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Unsung Hero, Mr. Harold Ward, Jr., a resident of Winstonville, Mississippi. Harold Ward, Jr. was born and raised in the small town of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, where he graduated from John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in 1999. After graduating from high school, Harold attended Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi. Harold is a member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church in Mound Bayou. He is the son of Judge Harold Ward Sr. and Patricia White-Ward; the youngest of four children: Ms. Chauncila M. Ward (deceased), Dr. Kendria Ward, and Attorney Yumekia Ward; the grandson of the late Napoleon White Sr. and Mrs. Earline J. Hill, Reverend Henry Ward and Mrs. Iola Ward. Mr. Ward was born with sickle cell disease. At the age of 25, Harold's oldest sister, Chauncila, passed away from complications of sickle cell disease. Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects nearly 100,000 Americans. Sickle Cell Disease causes red blood cells to form into crescent shapes like sickles that cuts off the oxygen supply to the blood causing excruciating pain. Even though Mr. Ward suffers from this debilitating disease, he does not allow it to completely make him bedridden and on his good days he does volunteer work. Always unselfish with his time and immensely involved with community service activities in the City of Mound Bayou and the town of Winstonville, Mississippi. Mr. Ward has been a constant inspiration to others. In 2007, he began volunteering his services at Delta Health Center in Mound Bayou, Mississippi, where he assisted nurses with triage patients, filing documents, and read Christmas stories to patients' children. He also aided in the recruitment of patients to the facility by going door to door informing people of the services available at Delta Health Center. In 2014 Mr. Ward was lead sales representative with Humana and guided qualified individuals through the sign-up process for Obamacare. Mr. Ward reorganized the town of Winstonville Volunteer Fire Department where he currently serves as Fire Chief. He encouraged people in the community between the ages of 21-35 to volunteer their services to the town by becoming a volunteer fire fighter. On February 22, 2015 he received an award from Chi Mu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, of Mound Bayou, Mississippi, in recognition for his outstanding contributions and dedicated services in the field of health. Mr. Ward compassionately volunteers with the City of Mound Bayou, serving as assistant to Mayor Darryl Johnson. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this amazing Unsung Hero.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lanier High School. It takes its name from the late, distinguished, William Henry Lanier, a former President of Alcorn College and the first Supervisor of Jackson Colored Public Schools. Lanier was born a slave in Huntsville, Alabama in 1851. He attended Tougaloo College, Oberlin College and Fisk University and received his B.A. degree from Roger Williams University. He served as president of Alcorn A&M for six years. Lanier taught school in Forest, Winona, Black Hawk, Carrollton, Yazoo City and Jackson. He was principal of the Robertson School from 1912-1929. Lanier was first organized as a junior-senior high school in 1925, providing instruction for pupils from the seventh through the twelfth grades. A new chapter was added to our history when, on February 8, 1954, they transferred from the old Lanier at 136 East Ash Street and occupied the new Lanier Junior-Senior High School building at 833 West Maple Street. On January 27, 1972, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ordered that Lanier School be designated as a center for the enrollment of 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students. In 1991, 9th grade students were added to the enrollment. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Lanier High School.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Jerusalem Outreach Child and Adult Learning Center in Charleston, MS. It is locally referred to as JOCI (Jerusalem Outreach Center Incorporated). JOCI was established as a nonprofit organization in the year 2000. JOCI was one of the partners in a county wide effort to provide service to citizens living in hard to reach and underserved communities in Tallahatchie County like Paynes and Glendora. JOCI's goal is to meet the educational and health and social welfare needs of both children and adults regardless of race. Their partner Glendora Economic and Community Development Corporation (GECDCo) focused on the development needs of the communities like housing, recreation, jobs, and more. In order to achieve the above goals JOCI hosts health fairs and provides a long list of services. The services include, but are not limited to: personal counseling, referrals to outside resources, depending on the issue; social therapy for special needs clients; child care; after school care and services; educational classes; tutoring; and more. Since 2000, JOCI's record of achievement has attracted new partners to their effort: Mississippi State University Early Childhood Institute, Quality Stars, the Department of Human Services, and the Tallahatchie Early Learning Alliance (TELA). Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Jerusalem Outreach Child & Adult Learning Center in Charleston, MS for their work in those hard to reach communities in Tallahatchie County, MS.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pamela Stuart, who is retiring this year after a distinguished career as a public school teacher in Mississippi. As the Representative of the Second District of the State of Mississippi, I have the honor and privilege of getting to know some exceptional community leaders. Pamela Stuart, who originally hails from Philadelphia, Mississippi, is one of them. Pam came of age during the Civil Rights movement in Mississippi and her life was shaped by these events. Like my own calling early in my career, Pam's calling was teaching and her passion was sharing what we could learn from the past to improve the future. As a high school U.S. history teacher, Pam shaped young minds throughout her dedicated career. I was honored to visit Pam's class at Clinton High School in 2008 and was impressed by her students' engagement in civics and in understanding how our shared history shapes our society and our vision for creating a continuously stronger and better condition for all Americans. Pam's students rank her among their most influential teachers and a lasting mentor whose contributions and commitment impacted their scholarship, their careers, and their lives as involved members of their communities. Many of her students have gone on to become leaders in their fields in their own right. A true testament to my confidence in the products of her teaching, I hired one of her students who served on my Committee staff for more than eight years. This month, Pamela Stuart retires from a storied career as an exceptional school teacher. I ask my colleagues to join me in thanking Pam for her invaluable service to her community, the state of Mississippi, and our nation. Her contributions have clearly made an enduring impact on the countless lives and minds she has helped shape.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a philanthropist, the late Randy Naylor, Sr. Mr. Naylor has shown what can be done through hard work, setting goals, and aiming high. Randy Naylor, Sr. was born June 23, 1953, in Vicksburg, MS to George Washington and Lillian B. Naylor. He was a humble and caring man who was always in good spirit. Randy, was a graduate of Rosa A. Temple High School Class of 1973, where he served as a Drum Major. He also attended Hinds Community College where he studied Criminal Justice. Randy was employed with Vicksburg Warren School System as a bus driver and ISD teacher. He also worked nights at the Merchant Company as well as a security guard for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He joined the Vicksburg Police Department in 1988. Randy was the recipient of the ``Officer of the Year'' award on numerous occasions. He had extensive training in all aspects of law enforcement, criminal and juvenile investigation. In 2008, Randy was elected Constable for Warren County where he served until his death. Naylor was also a Notary Public for the state of Mississippi. Randy volunteered his time to the Salvation Army, Kings Head Start, which he later adopted and provided clothes and books to the kids at the center. He also volunteered at the River City Rescue Mission. Randy spoke to various youth groups at churches throughout the city. Randy also worked diligently with the city summer program, ``Street Ball'' which is now called the Randy Naylor Summer Youth Program. He secured various partnerships throughout the city for supplies for the program. Mr. Naylor's work as a Resource officer in the Vicksburg/ Warren School District allowed him to develop good relationships with the youth that made his impact on the ``Street Ball'' program extremely important in the realm of community policing. Students and young people would listen to him when no other officer could get them to cooperate. Parents trusted him with their kids and criminals knew better than to cross him, all because of the relationships he built through his work in the community. As a member of Calvary Baptist Church he served as an Usher and the president of the Layman's Ministry. He was married to Dorothy Naylor for 40 years. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the late Mr. Randy Naylor, Sr. for his dedication to serving our great city in the Vicksburg/Warren community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 of Greenwood, Mississippi. The Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 of Greenwood, Mississippi was the first African American Post established in the State of Mississippi and came about due to the perseverance of eighteen determined Black Veterans of World War I and World War II in the Mississippi Delta. These veterans attempted to join Keeler-Hamrick-Gillespie Post Number 29 which refused them membership. Given that this was the 1940s and Mississippi being a segregationist state, Post Number 29 could not get a majority vote of its members to allow black veterans to join their post. The eighteen black veterans filed a petition to start a new post and presented it to the Mississippi Department of the American Legion. Mr. Solomon N. Dickerson, a black veteran, postal worker and co-worker of Mr. Author H. Ritchter, the Adjutant of post Number 29, worked to get the petition through the District. It was due to their vigorous and persistent correspondence to the District and the Mississippi Department of the American Legion that they were allowed to form a separate post if they could find a sponsor. Keesler-Hamrick-Gillespie Post Number 29 agreed to serve as a sponsor to assist Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 in getting the temporary charter, paving the way for other charters to be granted to other black veteran's groups throughout the state of Mississippi. Originally, the post was called the Mississippi Delta Post Number 200. Mr. L.H. Threadgill, principal of Stone Street High School, a veteran of World War II, proposed that the post be named after two former students of Stone Street High School, that were killed in action during WWII. The motion carried and the name was adopted. Thompson- Clemons Post Number 200 was granted a permanent charter on July 28, 1949, becoming the first Black post in the State of Mississippi. The first Post Commander was Mr. Solomon N. Dickerson.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable organization, Sunflower County Freedom Project. Founded in 1998, the Sunflower County Freedom Project was started by three Teach for America teachers who saw a need for an educational program in the Mississippi Delta that would challenge and engage young people in the area. Initially, the organization was a summer program at Mississippi Delta Community College that grew into a year-round program at the University of Mississippi. In 2002, the organization purchased the LEAD Center in Sunflower, which houses all of their programs. They target students in Sunflower County to complete a six-year fellowship with the organization beginning with the summer before they begin seventh grade. The overall goal is to have 100 percent of their ``fellows'', also known as students, go on to enroll in four year colleges and universities. To this date they have met that goal. The Freedom Project is for students in 7th-12th grade who want to discipline themselves into becoming leaders in their homes, schools and communities. The middle school students partake in Freedom Summer, which is named for and rooted in the Civil Rights history of Freedom Summer '64. The high school students can participate in ACT Camp or summer opportunities around the country including Phillips Exeter Summer Academy and Explo at Yale University. We seek to provide students with opportunities and challenges that will allow them to grow and mature into leaders for the Mississippi Delta. Our multi-faceted approach includes rigorous academic work, arts enrichment, fitness and wellness training, educational travel and character development for every student. We travel the country, live in college dorm rooms, and camp in the wilderness to develop our students and enrich their lives. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sunflower County Freedom Project for its dedication to serving others and giving back to the African American community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Unsung Hero, Mrs. Florine Lewis. For some retired educators, retirement means a time to relax and take it easy. Not for longtime Holmes County, Mississippi resident, Mrs. Florine Lewis. She served the Second Congressional District as an outstanding educator for 37 years. Now retired for 15 years, she is still going like the ``Energizer Bunny.'' Mrs. Lewis continues to actively serve her community. She volunteers at the UMC Hospital of Holmes County; is active in the Holmes County Teachers Association, the Mississippi Valley State University Holmes County Alumni Chapter, and in her church, Asia Missionary Baptist Church of Lexington. She annually serves as a Spelling Bee judge for the Community Students Learning Center's Spelling Bee contest in which she has received several awards. ``I am just always willing to serve where I can and when I can,'' she said. In addition to her busy community service, Mrs. Lewis is also the principal caregiver for her elderly mother, who lives miles away in Greenville, Miss. The Itta Bena, Mississippi native began her teaching career at Montgomery Elementary School in Mount Bayou, Mississippi and later relocated to Holmes County where she has taught at the former Tchula Attendance Center (TAC) and the Holmes County Vocational Center. She is the widow of the late Robert Earl Lewis, who was also a principal and teacher in Holmes County. The two of them have six children who are adults in various professions such as teaching, librarian, business and engineering. During her own teaching career, Mrs. Lewis was recognized as a STAR teacher. Former students and community members alike say that whenever they see Mrs. Lewis, she always greeted them as ``Florine Lewis.'' She just keeps on going and going and going . . . doing what she can to help others, never looking for anything in return. She is truly an unsung hero. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Florine Lewis for her dedication in serving the community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Lillie V. Thompson Davis. Mrs. Lillie V. Thompson Davis, a life time resident of Quitman County, MS, has a strong belief in God; she is a friend to education, a retired school teacher of 42 years, and lives in Marks, MS. She has a teaching experience of more than forty-two years which include seventeen years as assistant principal, Adult Education teacher, teaching in the prison system, and in the state of Indiana. She is a graduate of Rust College Holly Springs, MS and earned a Master of Education from the University of MS Oxford, MS. She was one of the first of four teachers who taught in an integrated school system in an all white school in Marks, MS. Mrs. Davis is an advocate for education and has tutored students in reading and math without a fee, and made generous donations to an educational program. She is sustaining her teaching career as an advanced adult Sunday School teacher at her membership church in Marks, MS. She initiated the idea to build a much needed gym for the Quitman County Middle School, by the passing of a bond issue. The first attempt to pass the bond issue failed by 23 votes in November of 2013, but because of her fervent prayers, profound determination, and help of many dedicated hard working individuals, the bond issue of four million dollars was tried a second time and passed in November, 2014. She has been a member of Quitman County School Board since 2006, and has worked untiringly trying to bring about positive changes for the boys and girls of the Quitman County School System. And also since she wanted to share her knowledge of some undocumented history of the early life of Blacks in the Delta, she wrote a book entitled ``Drifting Into Falcon.'' Mrs. Davis is the mother of three daughters: Pamela, Jamesetta and Wanda, who is deceased. She has five grandchildren: Larry, Brandon, Darnell, Steve and Ashley; and four great grandchildren: Debrisha, Marian, Lauren and Laila. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Lillie V. Davis because she is definitely the epitome of an unsung hero.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable school, North Panola High School of Sardis, Mississippi and the great leadership it is under. North Panola High School is a rural high school situated on the eastern edge of the Mississippi delta. For many years the high school has been a part of a school district that had been plagued by low test scores, violence and a negative school culture. The school district had been taken over by the state several times due to year after year of low test scores. In July of 2011, Robert King, Conservator of the North Panola School District, hired Jamone Edwards as the principal of North Panola High School. Jamone Edwards, a graduate of Mississippi State University and The University of Mississippi, was the youngest principal the school had ever witnessed. He brought innovative ideas and worked tirelessly to increase teacher morale and create a positive school culture. Under his leadership and the staff's support, the school has made significant gains in the accountability model in which schools are rated. Prior to the new leadership, for many years the school was considered low performing and on academic watch. During his tenure, the school rose to Successful, which is equivalent to a C school. In the 2013-14 school year, Mr. Edwards led the school to its first ever High Performing Status, which is equivalent to a B school. This is a remarkable achievement as the school had never experienced such success and recognition. Additionally, since 2010, the school has many successes to celebrate. The school's graduation rate was at an all-time low of 49 percent in 2010. Since that time, the graduation rate has risen to 73 percent for the 2013-14 academic school year. Currently, the high school is projected to have a graduation rate of 85 percent for the 2014-15 accountability rating. In addition, Algebra I and U.S. History subject area test scores have surpassed the state's average, and English II and Biology I state test scores are slightly trailing the state's average. North Panola High School has also made significant improvement in preparing students for college and acquiring scholarships. In 2010, the mean ACT score was 14.8. Since that time, several students of North Panola High School have scored 20 or better on the ACT. In 2010, the high school graduating seniors had generated $150,000 in scholarship monies. In 2014, the high school graduating class of approximately 80 students received in excess more that $2 Million in scholarship monies creating more opportunities for our children to succeed in college and careers after high school. In March 2015, North Panola High School received an award from the State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Carey M. Wright and the Mississippi Department of Education for closing the achievement gap between black and white students in the area of English/Language Arts and Mathematics. North Panola was one of the only predominantly minority high schools to be recognized with the Distinguished School Award. As a result, North Panola High School received $23,750.05 to further enhance the students' overall educational experience. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing North Panola High School for its dedication to serving our great state of Mississippi and country.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Black Professional, Dr. Rolando D. Herts, a resident of Cleveland, Mississippi. Dr. Rolando D. Herts is the Director of the Delta Center for Culture and Learning at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi. The Delta Center serves as the management entity for the Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area, a partnership between the people of the Mississippi Delta and the National Park Service designed to promote understanding of the Delta's cultural heritage through education, tourism, and economic development. The Delta Center also oversees the International Delta Blues Project, a three-tiered initiative featuring an International Conference on the Blues, the development of an academic blues studies program, and a Blues Leadership Incubator for entrepreneurship and economic development, which aligns with Delta State University's goal of becoming a destination for blues education with GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. Previously, Dr. Herts was Associate Director with the Office of University-Community Partnerships (OUCP) at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. In this capacity, he helped to advance a learning organization model that integrates university-community partnership development, campus and community event planning and management, and campus and visitor information functions. During his tenure with Office of University-Community Partnerships, Dr. Herts collaborated with an array of local, regional, and state entities-- including the Greater Newark Convention and Visitors Bureau, Brick City Development Corporation, New Jersey Department of Travel and Tourism, the City of Newark, the Rutgers Center for Latino Arts and Culture, WBGO 88.3 Jazz FM radio, and the Newark Literacy Campaign--to help promote the university and the surrounding community and region as distinctive educational destinations. As a Leadership Newark Fellow, he was presented the Berkowitz Distinguished Service Award for his commitment to the Greater Newark community. Prior to working at Rutgers, Dr. Herts was a faculty member with the Fanning Institute, a public service unit at the University of Georgia where he was selected to participate in the Emerging Engagement Scholars Workshop of the Engagement Scholarship Consortium. He also served as program director of INSPIRE/TRIO Student Support Services, a top-funded federal retention and graduation program for first- generation college students at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. In addition, he completed a two-year teaching commitment with Teach For America in the Mississippi Delta region where he taught second grade at Carver Elementary School. He was awarded a ``Certificate of Appreciation for Excellence in Teaching'' from the Indianola Association of Educators. Dr. Herts holds a Ph.D. Degree in Planning and Public Policy from Rutgers Graduate School-New Brunswick and the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. His dissertation From Outreach to Engaged Placemaking: Understanding Public Land-Grant University Involvement with Tourism Planning and Development examines university- community tourism engagement as a destination promotion and economic development strategy. His reflective essay, ``Sacred Ground, Traveling Light: Personal Reflections on University-Community Tourism Engagement,'' won the prize for Best Treatise in Impressions, Ruminations, Treatises: Essays on Intersectionality, Praxis, and the Educational Arena, a collection published by the Institute For Recruitment of Teachers, Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts. Dr. Herts also holds a M.Phil. Degree in Planning and Public Policy from Rutgers, an M.A. Degree in Social Science from the University of Chicago, and a B.A. Degree in English from Morehouse College. His interests include university-community engagement and partnership development, community-based tourism planning, place branding/ marketing, community and regional development, and interorganizational collaboration. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Cleveland, Mississippi, which is an affiliate of Rotary International, a worldwide network of business and professional leaders dedicated to humanitarian service. Education, community engagement, public service and cultural heritage development have been prominent themes in Dr. Herts' family. His father, Dr. George E. Herts, earned a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne, became the first African-American Superintendent of schools in the Arkansas Delta community of Eudora, and subsequently completed 30 years of service at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in various leadership capacities, including Dean of the School of Education and Dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies. His mother, Dr. Ruth Simmons- Herts, earned a doctorate in Educational Administration at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, and served for several years as a public school central office administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas, and as Assistant Dean of the School of Education and the Director of Performance Based Education at Langston University in Oklahoma. For over 25 years, she has served in local, regional, and national leadership roles as a member of The Links, Incorporated, an international service organization of African-American women. She also was a member of the Rotary Club of Little Rock, the oldest and largest civic organization in Arkansas, and served on several community boards including the Arkansas Arts Center and Black Community Developers, Inc., which brought the internationally-renowned Morehouse College Glee Club to Little Rock for the first time in the singing organization's history during the younger Dr. Herts' tenure as tour manager of the Glee Club and as baritone member of the Morehouse College Quartet. Dr. Herts is dedicated to building upon the exemplary legacy of service established by his predecessors. His great uncle, Harrison Douglass, was a contemporary of Booker T. Washington during his undergraduate years at Tuskegee University during the early 20th century, and studied and worked in agricultural extension at Iowa State University. He taught at Tuskegee, Grambling, and Southern universities and established Douglass High School for African Americans in his northern Louisiana hometown. Dr. Herts acknowledges Harrison Douglass, as well as his grandparents Mr. Archie and Leola Simmons and Mr. Hermon and Shelley Herts, as key sources of inspiration for his parents and himself as they completed higher levels of education and committed their lives to serving communities of diversity. Dr. Herts is promoting and preserving this family tradition by encouraging the next generation to learn about and celebrate their heritage. In particular, he is dedicated to sharing heritage-based educational opportunities with his sisters, nieces, and nephew. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an amazing black professional and community landscape innovator.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, this month and all this month I rise to give honor to a member of my district whom most people don't know but need to know. So today, I rise to honor Mrs. Sarah Dailey of Charleston, Mississippi located in Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. Humble and Challenging Beginnings: Sarah was born a couple of years before the Great Depression and has to her credit the skill of survival and the will to give and gain in all aspects of human life. Her mother passed away when she and her siblings were still too young to care for themselves, so all of them to some degree had to grow up sooner than expected. Her oldest brother was the first to grow up fast by assisting their father by helping provide for the family. The family relocated from the Valley Road, which is south of the town of Charleston to North Creek Road. There Sarah would not only grow up but it became the place where she reared her own family. ``It takes a village to raise a family'' was the code of the old days. Since the family was being led by Sarah's father and brother, the older women in the community took Sarah and her sisters under their wings, teaching them those things that women must know and do like managing the home, cleaning the house, protecting each other as mothers do and personal care as a woman. She was very intelligent and therefore school work came easy. She excelled in all her subjects, with many awards, plaques, and certificates of recognition to support. Education was not a giving back during her day of growing up so when the opportunity came along it was treasured because it was seen as the way to a better future. By the time she was old enough to be on her own, her father remarried and moved to St. Louis, MO, taking her younger sibling with him. But Sarah and the older sibling stayed on in Charleston to chart their own future using what they had learned from those around them about adult responsibilities. A Woman: Sarah met and married Mr. Walter Luther Dailey to become Mrs. Sarah Dailey. The couple made their home and raised their children on the family land, owned by her father and mother. Her motherly instincts and caring not only provided for her family but she became the caring provider for other family members. Mrs. Dailey, remembering her own personal feelings about growing up without her mother, put her personal goals on hold to be a mother to many. Mrs. Dailey eventually went to work after her children began school. She worked for the Charleston Clinic in Charleston, MS where she remained employed for twenty years until an accident forced her to stop working. Mrs. Dailey also became active in the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. She was a quiet, but a strong woman who was steadfast on making a difference. She supported her children when the East Tallahatchie School District was integrated. It was during this same time that her children along with other children involved in the movement were bused off to Parchman where some of the children were kept for almost a month. A historian by hobby and interest: Mrs. Daily became the go to person when someone wanted to know something about civil rights activities in Tallahatchie County in the 1960s. She has been interviewed by people as far away as London, England and has traveled with college professors and authors as they gathered information for books they were publishing. Mrs. Dailey continues to participate in community related activities and is always eager to support efforts that enhance Tallahatchie County, Mississippi. She is still an active member of the NAACP, having joined in the 1960s, nearly fifty years ago. Tallahatchie County and her children can be proud to be connected to this historian and unsung hero. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring, Mrs. Sarah Dailey, of the Mississippi Second Congressional District.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Roger Givens. Roger Givens was born and raised in the Sunflower County town, Rome, Mississippi. He is the seventh of eight children of the late Freddie and Lillie Davis Givens, Sr. Mr. Givens is 67 years old. He is currently employed with MINACT, Inc. as the Business & Community Liaison at the Finch-Henry Job Corps Center in Batesville, Mississippi, partially named after one of his mentors, the late civil rights leader, Dr. Aaron E. Henry and Governor Cliff Finch. Givens accepted his current position after a distinguished career with the Mississippi Employment Security Commission (now Mississippi Department of Employment Security). He retired from the Commission in 2004 as the first African-American State Director of the Employment Service Division. Givens is currently serving in numerous local, state and regional organization positions, continuing his life long practice of serving his community. He is recognized amongst his family, his colleagues, and his community as a man of service and passion to help those in need and improve his community. Givens and his wife of ten years are now residents of Grenada, Mississippi. He is the father of three daughters and grandfather of seven. He is a member and Deacon of the Greater Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Gore Springs, Mississippi. Givens attended and graduated from Hunter High School in Drew, Mississippi. After high school he attended and graduated from Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He continued his education at Jackson State University receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in 1969. Immediately after receiving his degree, Givens assisted his parents in accomplishing a long time goal of moving off a Sunflower County plantation to Clarksdale, Mississippi. Because of the Coahoma Community College president's knowledge of Givens and three other siblings, Givens' father was given a job at Coahoma Community College by the president upon a request by Givens and his older brother. While assisting his parents complete the move, Givens was hired as a Counselor by the Mississippi Employment Security Commission in Clarksdale. Being married to his hometown girlfriend while in college, Givens also assisted his mother-in-law and five in- laws move off the same Sunflower County plantation to Clarksdale. Givens left the Mississippi Employment Security Commission after four months to teach in the Clarksdale Public School system. Since the school district was desegregated in the middle of the year, Givens was not immediately offered a contract for the next year because the school district was required to seek a balance of white-black teachers. He returned to the Employment Commission for the summer and committed to stay after a full time position was offered. After only one year in Clarksdale, Givens mother-in-law passed and he and wife accepted the responsibility of caring for the five in-laws left without parents. The in-laws, along with Givens three daughters, remained in the household together until each completed high school or moved on to join the workforce or military. After three years in Clarksdale, Givens lost his father to a heart attack. Givens committed to remaining in Clarksdale to be near his mother. Also, his work in the community, to include the Head Start program and the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, was well under way and close ties had been developed with many local officials. The community involvement and encouragement from local officials, including Dr. Aaron Henry, resulted in Givens becoming active in state, regional and national advocacy groups for Head Start. He served several terms as President of the Mississippi Head Start Parents Association and was a founding member and two terms President of the National Head Start Parents Association. After working in a non-status position with the Employment Security Commission for approximately three (3) years, in 1972 Givens became the first African-American to receive a permanent status position in the Clarksdale office. In 1975 he was selected to enter the agency's Counseling Masters Program at Mississippi State University. The same year he was promoted and selected to start and be Coordinator of the Employment Security Commission's Ex-Offender Placement Program based at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. He received his Masters degree in Counseling from Mississippi State University in 1978. In 1980, Givens became the first African-American to be appointed the State MonitorAdvocate/Complaint Specialist. He relocated his family to Jackson to work in the Employment Security Commission's headquarters. In 1986, Givens was appointed the Manager of the Greenwood Employment Office, the first African-American to manage an office in the Mississippi delta. Within months of relocating his family from Jackson to Greenwood, Givens' family started receiving telephone threats from callers identified as the KKK advising him to leave the city because the position of manager was for whites. Acts of violence and damage to his home were committed in the following weeks. The threats and violence ended after an investigation by the local law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During the same year Givens' co- workers elected him the first African-American to be president of the Mississippi Chapter of the International Association of Workforce Professionals (IAWP). During his term as president, the Chapter improved in employee participation and service to members, obtaining an international ranking of number 6, the highest in Chapter history. During his five years as the Greenwood Employment Office Manager, Givens was deeply involved in community organizations as the Chamber of Commerce and the Greenwood Voters League. In 1991, Givens was appointed the Employment Security Commission Area Supervisor for the Mississippi delta, the first African-American in the state to hold an Area Supervisor position. Partially, because of Givens commitment to staff development and equal opportunity, the minority office managers in the delta increased from 0 out of 9 to 6 out of 9 during his tenure as Area Supervisor. After a reorganization of the Employment Service Division in 1996, Givens supervisory responsibility was expanded to include all of north Mississippi. Givens was appointed State Director of the Mississippi Employment Security Commission Employment Service Division in 2001. During his tenure in the position, he continued his commitment to staff development, teamwork, customer service and equal opportunity. This resulted in broad support within the Employment Service Division and a noticeable increase in minorities in management positions throughout the state. In 2005, after retiring from the state, Givens was hired by MINACT, INC., a minority owned company based in Jackson, Mississippi, upon the recommendation of a senior MINACT official, who was a former Head Start employee aware of Givens years of community involvement and career with the state. Givens considered it a blessing to be in a position to use the experience and knowledge from his life long career and community service to help the Finch-Henry Job Corps Center accomplish the mission of preparing youth and young adults for the workforce and life in general. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Roger Givens for his dedication to this great state.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Ms. Lula Friar. Ms. Lula Friar is a retired educator with 30 years of experience teaching in the classroom. She taught at Goodman-Pickens Elementary School in Pickens, Mississippi. She used her passion for teaching the little ones to successfully prepare second-graders for their academic journey until she retired in 2008. In 2004, she was recognized as the Teacher of the Year by the Holmes County School District. Ms. Friar is currently employed by the Community Students Learning Center (CSLC) and has shown herself to be a valuable resource and asset to CSLC. Over the last five years, she has served as the HIPPY Coordinator for CSLC's Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY), an early childhood literacy evidence-based program for 3- to 5-year-olds that teaches lessons in homes and works with families to support parents as their child's primary teacher. In addition to her role as a HIPPY Coordinator, she also utilizes her teaching experience to support other educational enrichment programs and services available at CSLC such as the After School Program, where she has served for five years. She also works with the CSLC Summer Youth Enrichment Program, where she has provided her leadership and teaching expertise for the last 12 years. Although she is no longer in the school system, Ms. Friar continues to keep her state teaching license renewed. CSLC is grateful to have a certified teacher working with its children. Education is only a part of Friar's service at CSLC. Her primary position is Housing Advocate under the CSLC Housing Programs in which she assists the center in coordinating affordable housing and rehab housing services for low income families. Friar takes pride in helping children and their families secure better living conditions. When she is not working at CSLC she is an active member at her church, Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church in Lexington where she has served on the Board of Trustees for the past ten years, Vice-President of the Lebanon Inspiration Choir, President of the Lebanon Senior Choir, and also works with the youth department. Over the past 15 years, Lula has also helped with the Holmes County Central High School Marching Band. In her spare time, Lula also enjoys spending quality time with her family and grandkids. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Lula Friar for her dedication and support to the Holmes County Community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Team Broadcasting, Inc. WGNL 104.3 FM. WGNL is a 50,000 watts FM Station, which is located in Greenwood, Mississippi. It is in the heart of the Mississippi Delta. The Delta is one of the areas that is popular for the birth of the Blues. WGNL 104.3 FM broadcasts a vast variety of music. It is Urban Adult Contemporary mixed with Oldies and Blues. One of the highest rated shows on WGNL is the 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. all day Saturday Blues. This show includes a mixture of traditional Blues. For example, some of the artists featured include: Muddy Waters and Howlin Wolf. There are many more contemporary Blues artist such as: Tyrone Davis, Johnnie Taylor, and many more. With the diverse format, this is what makes WGNL 104.3 FM number one in the Mississippi Delta. The sister station WGNG 106.3 FM is 25,000 watts. WGNG has attracted listeners because of its ability to reach ages from 12-54. This is due to the blend of R&B HIP HOP. WGNG has come into holding its own and it reaches a number of people in the Mississippi Delta. WGNL-WGNG gets a great response from their advertisers. They should not be overlooked by sponsors. WGNL and WGNG combined covers over one- third of thirty counties in the Mississippi Counties in Northern Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the number one radio station in the Mississippi Delta, WGNL-WGNG for its dedication in serving the Mississippi Delta and giving back to the African American community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Mildrette White, who is a remarkable Educator and Public Servant. Born July 15, 1948, the second oldest of five children born to J. W. and Cora V. Netter in the small Delta town of Rosedale, MS. Mildrette attended elementary, junior high and high school in the West Bolivar County School District where her extracurricular activities included basketball, band, track and cheerleading. Because of her successful performance in track and the efforts of her high school coach, Willie McCoy, she was invited by the track coach at Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, to participate in his summer training camp for high school girls during the summer of her junior and senior year of high school in hopes of getting a track scholarship. At that time, Tennessee State was the nearest University to her that had a women track program. None of the Colleges and Universities in Mississippi had women track programs. After she was rejected, basically because of her height and being from Mississippi, she thought her track career and her chance to go to college was over. The coach preferred taller girls and didn't particularly care for girls from Mississippi because of previous unpleasant experiences. Mildrette later realized that being turned down by the coach was a blessing in disguise. The disappointment of not getting the scholarship she thought she deserved made her more determined to go to college because she did not want to spend the rest of her life chopping and picking cotton. Mildrette was also able to take the skills and knowledge gained and come back to Mississippi and open the doors for other young girls to get a track scholarship to go to college, and still be blessed with what God had for her. Little did she know then, that she would become the first and only African American to represent the state of Mississippi in the Olympics, who attended a Historical Black College or University. After graduating from high school in May, 1967, because of her faith in God, a positive attitude and help from a few people who believed in her, Mildrette entered Alcorn State University in the fall as a freshman on a Work Study Program where she was assigned to work in the gym. Growing up in the Mississippi Delta in the sixties wasn't easy and she was determined to get an education to make a better life for herself, her family and become a productive citizen in society. Alcorn's men track coach took a chance and gave Mildrette the opportunity to prove herself. She finally earned a track scholarship by training and traveling with the men's track team to other states and competing in individual events only. During the process she qualified for the 1968 Nationals and Olympic trials. That was the beginning of a long and successful collegiate track career. She received numerous accolades, honors and awards to include: three time All-SWAC and All NAIA; AAU International Track Team that competed in Norway and Poland; U.S. Olympic Track and Field team (68,72); Gold medal winner, 4X100 meter relay, Mexico City Summer Olympics (68); U.S. European Track and Field Tour; Held the third best 100-meter time in the world (68) and selected Female of the year, 100% Wrong Club of Atlanta (69). The experience, education, exposure and extensive travel, (nationally and internationally) received while attending Alcorn, prepared Mildrette to be successful in her careers as an athlete, classroom teacher, track coach and athletic director. After graduating from Alcorn in May, 1972 with honors and a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education, Mildrette began a twenty-eight year teaching and coaching career in the state of Mississippi. Some of the honors and accomplishments achieved were: Delta Valley Conference Coach of the year five times; U.S. Southeast Region High School Coach of the year (79); Six District Titles; two South State Titles; Two Big Eight Eastern Zone Titles; and District Five Coach of the Year (88). During her coaching career, a number of Mildrette athletes were able to earn track scholarships to go to college. Other educational accomplishments include: Master of Science-Health Physical Education, Athletic Administration/Coaching and Biological Science Alcorn State University (1981), Continuing Education and Secondary Administration/Supervision courses (1997-2000) Delta State University. During her Athletic, Teaching and Coaching careers, other honors received include: Alcorn State Hall of Honors (1992), SWAC Hall of Fame (1995), Alcorn State Athletic Hall of Fame (1996), Rosedale-West Bolivar High School Hall of Fame (1998), Bob Hayes Track Hall of Fame (2001), Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame (2003), and Clarksdale/Coahoma Sports Hall of Fame (2013). After retiring from teaching and coaching in 2002, Mildrette served as Athletic Director of the Tutwiler Community Education Center for six years. A key part of the mission was to make a difference in the community in which they served. Some of the organizations and community involvements she currently participates in are: President of the Mass Choir and Hospitality Ministry of the Greater Pleasant Grove Church, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Alcorn State University National Alumni, ASU Athletic Club, Montgomery-Carroll-Grenada County ASU Alumni Chapter, Grenada Smile Team, Grenada Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Committee member and the Finch-Henry Job Corps Center Community Relations Council. Mildrette is the mother of two children and is the grandmother of two. She is currently married to her college sweetheart, Willie White. After thirty-eight years of separation, they reconnected in 2006 and married in 2008. In addition to enjoying their retirement, traveling and spending time with the grandchildren, Mildrette and husband are still busy giving back to the community in their current hometown of Grenada, Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an Educator and Public Servant, Ms. Mildrette White, for her dedication to serving others and giving back to the African American community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable school, Kaleidoscope of Learning Preschool and After School of Byram, Mississippi, and the great leadership it is under. Patrina Robinson Dace is a native of Georgetown, Mississippi. She is the seventh of eighth children (four girls and four boys) born to Mr. L.J. and Mrs. Lula Lewis Robinson. She attended: Brushy Creek Headstart; Crystal Springs Elementary; Crystal Springs Junior High; and Crystal Springs High School. She graduated from Crystal Springs High School in May of 1984 with honors. Patrina participated in numerous activities and received numerous accolades while in high school which included: Student Council Reporter, Vice-President of Student Council, Beta Club Member, Yearbook Staff and Editor, Junior Homecoming Maid, Captain of the Cheerleading Team, Honor Student, and Most Beautiful. Patrina received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Jackson State University in 1991 with Magna Cum Laude. She completed a Master of Science in Teaching from Jackson State University in 1994 in General Science Education. In 2008, Patrina received her CDA from the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program with endorsements in Infants and Toddlers and Preschool Education. Patrina is married to Dr. Glen W. Dace, II of Meridian, Mississippi. They are the proud parents of three daughters: Racolesha (30), Ramanda (22), Glendolyn (17); a son-in-law, Frederick; and two grandchildren: Kennedy and Kyler. The Dace family resides in Terry, Mississippi, and attends New Horizon International Church in Jackson, Mississippi. Patrina has served her church family for seventeen years and has been a deaconess for eleven years. Patrina's faith in Christ and desire to know Him has created a passion for serving others. She is active in the community and is a member of: Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Minority Business Owner, Byram Business Association, Mississippi Early Childhood Association and Southern Early Childhood. In August of 2003, Glen and Patrina opened Kaleidoscope of Learning Preschool and After School in Byram, Mississippi with a license capacity of 49. Four years later, they decided to build a new facility to accommodate the increasing demand for childcare in the Byram area. The vision was clear, but much work was still to be done. They worked full time professional jobs with a desire to open a new center. In June 2007 Glen and Patrina's hard work and diligence paid off, and a brand new facility was built with a license capacity of 150. This business adventure was a major accomplishment for them. Prior to becoming a fulltime employee at Kaleidoscope of Learning in April 2008, Patrina served as Director of Environmental Microbiology for the Mississippi State Department of Public Health Laboratory. She worked as a Laboratory Technologist for 11 years and a Division Director for 4 years. Patina's certifications included: Laboratory Evaluation Officer by FDA and Laboratory Certification Officer by EPA. She worked fifteen years for the Mississippi Department of Health and eight years in the Jackson Public School System. On December 31, 2013, after serving 25 years in the Public Employee Retirement System of the State of Mississippi, she retired at the age of forty-six. Patrina is currently a full time owner, operator, and director at Kaleidoscope of Learning Preschool and After School. She provides many years of business development and management experience to the Kaleidoscope of Learning family. Patrina is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations, account management, hiring, budgeting, payroll, inventory, classroom management, and administrative duties. Patrina is an advocate for childcare in Mississippi. She feels that every community should have affordable full-childcare service for any social or ethnic groups. Patrina's strong investment in Kaleidoscope initially began because she had to transport her own children from the suburbs to the city every day. Patrina, one day, decided that instead of making the families in her community drive for quality care, she would be the one to step up and provide it. It made good business sense as it also opened up many doors to be able to minister to families, by providing a loving, caring, and Christian environment to children, while their parents are away at work. Since opening in 2003, many of our students have shown to perform at the top of their class. The first children to start at Kaleidoscope are in high school now and are expected to graduate high school in 2019. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Kaleidoscope of Learning and After School for its dedication to serving our great state of Mississippi.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a group of women who have shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to serve their community, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Mu Xi Omega Chapter. The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated Mu Xi Omega Chapter has served the Warren County community through informational meetings, social and civic engagement. Known throughout the world for its programs of service, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated chartered the Mu Xi Omega Chapter as a beacon of service to the Vicksburg community on December 17, 1978 at Bethel A.M.E. Church. The Chapter has remained an active part of the community through its membership. Members can be found working on every level in the church, community, and other civic and professional arenas. Since 1988, the Chapter's signature program has hosted reading workshops and book distributions through a partnership with Reading is Fundamental. Additionally, the Mu Xi Omega Chapter hosts other community service projects on health and wellness. The members sponsor the Mu XI Omega Pearls Girl's Club as well as the Biennial Beautillion Presentation for young men. They also partner with organizations such as the American Cancer Society, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, and the American Heart Association in addressing the needs of Warren County and supporting the Launching New Dimensions of Service platform. Mu XI Omega supports the sorority's national program through its many collaborative efforts with organizations in fulfillment of AKA Global Impact Days. On August 1, 2015 the Mu Xi Omega Chapter along with International President, Ms. Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson and South Eastern Regional Direction, Mrs. Mary B. Conner paid tribute to the only two national presidents that hailed from the State of Mississippi by unveiling a Marker in their honor. Both Bobbie Beatrix Scott and Ida L. Jackson hometown was the River City of Vicksburg. While serving in the capacity of National President they helped to expand AKA's current national program while establishing new programs to continue to effect social change on a national level. Jackson and Scott courageously led Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. during a time when women were considered inferior to men and certainly not intellectually equipped or sufficiently astute in business to run a major corporation. But these women defied the odds and helped to catapult the organization into even greater national prominence, allowing the voices of thousands of African American women to be heard on the national stage. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Mu Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for its dedication to remaining a vital entity of public service in the Vicksburg Warren community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mrs. LaWanda W. Parks, who served as the Executive Assistant to the Network Director of the South Central VA Health Care Network, an integrated system of 10 VA medical centers providing a full range of specialty, tertiary, mental health, and long term care in an eight-state region. As a member of the Network's Executive Leadership Team, Mrs. Parks was the Network's liaison to VA Central Office in Washington, DC, served as the Network Management Support Officer and provided oversight for VISN administrative operations. Mrs. Parks joined the VA 17 years ago as an Administrative Resident at the New Orleans VA Medical Center and has held positions of progressive responsibility at the local and National levels before returning to her home state of Mississippi as the Executive Assistant to the Network Director in 2007. Mrs. Parks is a 2010 graduate of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Health Care Leadership Institute and a 2012 graduate of the VHA Executive Career Field program. She is a mentor for the Network's Advance Leadership Development Institute and has served on a number of national workgroups and committees. Mrs. Parks is also a member of the American College of Health Care Executives and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. From August 2010-October 2010, Mrs. Parks served as the interim Assistant Medical Center Director of the Birmingham, Alabama, VAMC. A native of Magnolia, Mississippi, Mrs. Parks holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Tougaloo College and a master's degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Alabama-Birmingham. She and her husband, Mr. Michael Parks have one son, Ezekiel. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. LaWanda W. Parks for her dedication to serving others.