Bennie Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mamie Osborne, who is an assistant professor of English and has devoted herself to teaching and research since she began working at MVSU in 1999. She completed post-graduate studies at the University of Toledo, University of Louisville, and University of Mississippi in American literature, rhetoric and composition, children's and young adult literature, and received an undergraduate degree in English from MVSU. As a professor, Osborne assisted the Department of English and Foreign Languages' English Education program successfully by drafting two NCATE self-study reports and earning the program the status of ``Nationally Recognized'' twice; she is a member of Valley's Quality Enhancement Plan faculty team; and she holds membership in the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and the Black Caucus of NCTE. Osborne is a scholar and creative writer. Her scholarly and creative works have been published in national and international scholarly and literary journals including: The Southern Quarterly, Valley Voices, Black Magnolias, The Kentucky River, and Renditions (Hong Kong). Her interview with Sterling Plumpp will be published in Conversations with Sterling Plumpp by the University Press of Mississippi in spring, 2016. She has also made numerous presentations at professional conferences and serves as an editor for Valley Voices, a national journal for criticism and writing published at MVSU. The assistant professor devotes herself to community service. Osborne has volunteered to help the City of Itta Bena address its community's literacy problem by volunteering during the summer and after school at the Itta Bena Public Library and for the past two years conducted workshops for the MVSU Reading Institute in children and young adult literature and writing. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mamie Osborne, a professor, writer, researcher and educator, 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 multi-talented gentleman, Mr. Cleveland Pepper, owner of Pepper's Upholstery and More. Mr. Cleveland Pepper is a resident of Cary, Mississippi. He graduated in 1959 from N. D. Taylor High School located in Yazoo City, Mississippi. He started upholstery in October of 1986 under the leadership of Mr. Fritz Johnson of Hamilton, Michigan. He worked as a trainer for two years and was able to pass all requirements receiving a Certificate in Upholstery in 1987. Mr. Pepper is a good steward of the community and enjoys learning new information and techniques. He attended a government program at Mississippi Christian Family Center. He taught upholstery classes through the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to assist the unemployed to seek employment and become employable through training and assistance. In 2003 he decided to open Pepper's Upholstery and More in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Cleveland Pepper for his hard work, dedication and a strong desire to achieve.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. William B. Bynum, Jr., a 25-year higher education professional, who was unanimously selected to be the 7th President of Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) by the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning Board on October 8, 2013 and he began his presidency at ``The Valley'' on November 6, 2013. A native of Rocky Mount, NC, Dr. Bynum earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Davidson College while on a student-athlete scholarship. While at Davidson, he also minored in Education and passed the National Teachers Exam. He was subsequently licensed and certified to teach Social Studies and Math in North Carolina and Georgia. Dr. Bynum went on to earn his masters and Ph.D. in Sociology from Duke University while serving as a Duke Endowment Fellow. Dr. Bynum was also a member of the inaugural class of the NAFEO-Kellogg Leadership Fellows Program, a yearlong program specifically designed to train the next generation of presidents/chancellors for minority serving institutions, which was led by then NAFEO president--Dr. Frederick Humphries; NAFEO chairman--Dr. Joe Johnson, and executive director--Dr. Arthur Thomas. As part of the program, Dr. Bynum ``shadowed'' Dr. Harold Martin, then chancellor of Winston-Salem State University and now chancellor of NC A&T State University. As the 7th President, Dr. Bynum's vision for the University is to uplift 6 powerful words that are already deeply rooted in ``The Valley'' culture. The vision is: ONE GOAL. ONE TEAM. ONE VALLEY. The ONE GOAL is Student Success (increased enrollment, retention and graduation; holistic student development and career advancement); The ONE TEAM is University and Community Stakeholders Working Together; And the ONE VALLEY is students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends actively demonstrating School Pride and Spirituality that is second to none! Prior to his appointment at MVSU, Dr. Bynum served as the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Services at Morehouse College (2009-2013), where he was mentored by Morehouse's 10th president, Dr. Robert Michael Franklin. While serving at Morehouse, Dr. Bynum significantly enhanced student-administration relations, improved the efficiency and effectiveness of student services, started, envisioned and led the initiative which established the Parents Council and implemented the nationally acclaimed Morehouse ``Appropriate Attire Policy.'' Prior to Morehouse, Dr. Bynum served as the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management (2000-2009) at The Lincoln University (PA). During his nine years of service, he was successful in nearly doubling Lincoln's enrollment and recruited the 4 largest new student classes (900+) in the University's 150-year history. Dr. Bynum also led the Board-approved Student Enhancement Initiative, which entailed elevating Lincoln from NCAA Division III to NCAA Division II athletics, reactivated Lincoln's membership in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) conference, returned football to the campus after a 40-year absence and started the University's first marching band program: ``The Orange Crush.'' At Lincoln, Dr. Bynum was mentored by Dr. Ivory Nelson, the University's 12th president, who garnered over $200 million in capital construction to transform the campus physical plant. Prior to LU, Dr. Bynum served as the Associate Vice President and Dean of Students at Clark Atlanta University (1993-2000), and he was the number 2 person in the division that recruited the 4 largest classes (1500+) in the then 125-year history of CAU. While at CAU, Dr. Bynum was mentored by and developed strong strategic planning and assessment skills from Dr. Doris Walker Weathers. During his CAU days, Dr. Bynum was nicknamed ``Bye-Bye Bynum'' for his no-nonsense approach to judicial affairs and enhancing the campus culture and environment. In addition to his enrollment management and student affairs work, Dr. Bynum has lectured and/or taught as well. He served as the Covington Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Davidson and at Morehouse, he was an adjunct professor in the Leadership Studies program and Sociology department. Dr. Bynum's other professional experience includes research and teaching positions at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Duke University and Durham and Edgecombe Community Colleges. He started his educational career as a teacher, football and wrestling coach in the Rocky Mount (NC) City School System (1984-87) and the Dekalb County (GA) School System (1987- 88). Dr. Bynum has represented his institutions in numerous external programs and at professional conferences, while serving as a presenter or moderator. He has authored refereed articles in professional journals and presented papers with academic and social themes. Trained as a Quantitative Sociologist, Dr. Bynum still remains active in research and teaching. His research and teaching interests center around: (1) Black Church Studies; (2) Race, Gender and Ethnicity; and (3) Organizations, Markets and Work. His publications include: A co-authored article with Duke colleagues in the sociology journal Social Forces entitled ``Race and Formal Volunteering''; A chapter entitled ``The Black Church in America: Demography and Current Trends'' in the book: Exploring The African American Experience (3rd edition); and a short story entitled ``For the Love of J-Ski'' in the NASPA produced book: Stories of Inspiration: Lessons and Laughter in Student Affairs. Dr. Bynum is a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Chi Alpha Epsilon and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. A God-loving, God-fearing man, he is married to Deborah Elaine Bynum, a manager and 34-year employee with AT&T Mobility Services, and they are the proud parents of six children--Tyrone (a student at Georgia State University), Tyler (a student-athlete graduate of Truett- McConnell College), Chelsea (a student at Clark Atlanta University and Army Reservist), Zack (a student at Morehouse College), and Jordan and Jazz (both of whom are Atlanta public high school students). Dr. Bynum's personal and professional motto is ``Look back and thank God. Look forward and trust God. Look around and serve God. Look within and find God.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. William B. Bynum, Jr., a teacher, professional and educator for his contribution 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 civil servant, Mr. Milton Gaston. Born in Hollandale, Mississippi, Milton Gaston was nurtured and reared by his parents, the late James and Luella Gaston, in Glen Allen, Mississippi. He is the seventh born of eleven children to his parents. Gaston proudly admits that his parents reared them to be a close-knit family and his siblings and he remain so today. Milton Gaston was educated in the Glen Allen Public Schools. Understanding the meaning of family as so taught by his parents, Mr. Gaston met and married Ms. Alice Watts. To their union, six (6) children and ten (10) grandchildren are being shaped for this most extraordinary world. To support his family, Mr. Gaston began work with the Washington County Sheriff Department on January 20, 1986 under the leadership of the late Sheriff Harvey Tackett, Sr. In July of that same year, Milton Gaston, Sr., became the only civilian sent to the Jackson Police Academy in Jackson, Mississippi to be certified and deputized under Sheriff Tackett's administration. Because of his work ethics, Greenville Optimist Club named him as Deputy Sheriff of the year in 1989. On November 3, 2003, Washington County elected Milton Gaston, Sr. as Sheriff of Washington County, Mississippi. At the age of 42, he was the first African American in this county to hold this distinguished position. County Court Chancellor Vernita King-Johnson swore him in on January 5, 2004 to uphold this position to serve and protect the citizens of Washington County, Mississippi. Currently, Sheriff Gaston is in his third term, serving more than twenty-nine (29) years in law enforcement with a plethora of training on the state and federal level. Additionally, he has initiated and overseen a Juvenile Justice Intervention/Prevention Program that was developed to rebuild at risk youth between the ages of 12-15. The program was called ``Biggest S.U.C.C.E.S.S.,'' which is an acronym for Students Unanimously Conceiving Confidence & Excellence in Skills and Success. The program was grant funded for one year. Currently, under his leadership, the TRIAD of Washington County was established in 2012. This organization is comprised of senior citizens working with law enforcement to address their safety needs in the community. It is also state funded and has been approved for the current year's funding. Sheriff Gaston's staff is comprised of approximately 120 people between Washington County Sheriff's Department and Washington County Regional Correctional Facility; all of whom he requires to help make Washington County, Mississippi a safe place for all of its citizens. As if he is not constantly busy enough, Sheriff Gaston devotes his time and servitude as a member of New Hope First Baptist Church, Vice-President of the Usher Board, a member of the male choir, a member of the 100 Black Men of the Mississippi Delta, a member of the Lake Vista Masonic Lodge Number 46, a member of the Serene Lodge Number 567, a member of the NAACP, and a board member of the Boy's and Girl's Club. Yet, after committing himself to all of this, his Lord, his family, his career, and his affiliations, he still manages to conceive other ingenious ideas to help citizens in our area. He is indeed. ``The Peoples' Sheriff,'' and he considers it a pleasure to serve the citizens of Washington County, Mississippi by striving to make it a safer place in which to live. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sheriff Milton Gaston for his dedication to serving others and giving back to his community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Mattie Mae Amos-Marshall, who was born in a small community in Florence, Mississippi called Steen Creek on October 15, 1915 to the late Mr. Ben and Salle White-Amos. Mrs. Marshall married her childhood sweetheart, the late Mr. Jessie Marshall, at the age of 18 and moved to Flora, Mississippi where she began a family of her own. Mrs. Marshall was baptized at a young age at Stokes Chapel M.B. Church and later moved her membership to Jones Chapel M.B. Church where she is a member of the Mother's Board. Mrs. Marshall moved to Canton, Mississippi as a child and was educated in the Madison County School. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mother Mattie Mae Amos-Marshall.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Mr. Edison Thomas Brown, Jr. U.S. Army Veteran Edison Thomas Brown, Jr. is a Mississippi native who was born and reared in the hills of Holmes County within the U.S. Second Congressional District. Born in the very late 1950's, Mr. Brown, and other youth like him, grew up during the heat of oppression, segregation and poverty of the Holmes County 1960s civil rights movement. Yet, Mr. Brown says, he nor his family ever viewed themselves as underclass. Although poor by economic standards and conditions, he and his siblings learned early of the importance of working hard to make a decent living by two nurturing parents, who were farmers themselves and who also worked for white farmers as well, picking cotton and such. His parents were Edison Thomas Brown, Sr. and Ednora Randle Brown (both now deceased). His father was also a U.S. Army veteran who served in World War II. In fact, Mr. Brown says he was inspired to volunteer to serve his country in the military by his father and eldest brother James, a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran. After graduating from high school at what is formerly known as Tchula Attendance Center (TAC) in Tchula. MS, he began his military career in July, 1975 at Fort Knox, Ky. During his tour of duty, he was trained and served as a Track Vehicle Mechanic, specializing in diesel repairs. His U.S. military career also included service in Gelnhausen, Germany. While in the military, he earned the rank of Specialist 4th Class (SPEC 4). Proud to serve his country, Mr. Brown is grateful that his military career afforded him many travels that he would not have afforded to make and opportunities he possibly would not have had. Mr. Brown's tour of duty concluded at Fort Stewart, GA in 1979; however, he remained in reserve status until 1981, when he received an Honorable Discharge. After the military, Mr. Brown took advantage of the GI Bill and began to educate himself (part-time) in Electronic Service Technology coursework. Over the years, he has served in several employment capacities in the Metro Jackson area. His longest stint was with McRaes Distribution and its merging operations, 1985-2001. Today, a Clinton, Miss. resident in the Second Congressional District, Mr. Brown spends most of his time actively serving in Holy Temple Baptist Church of West Jackson, pastored by the history-making Rev. Audrey Lynne Hall. At Holy Temple as a deacon, he is Chairman and also serves as Sunday School Superintendent and teacher. He, his wife, Gail, and son, Edison, III, have also participated in the church's ongoing Homeless Outreach Ministry in which the church gives toiletries, snacks and other needful items to the homeless once a month at Poindexter Park near Downtown Jackson. Mr. Brown's favorite scripture of the Bible in which he tries to live by is Proverbs 3:5-6--``Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.'' Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a special Veteran, Mr. Edison Thomas Brown, Jr., for his dedication and support to the Holmes County Community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a God-fearing and impressionistic man, Rev. Robert L. Miller. Rev. Miller has shown what can be done through tenacity, dedication and a desire to serve God. Rev. Miller has done many things throughout his life, but inside he has always been a preacher. At 89 years old, he can't see himself ever hanging it up, because it's his calling. Some of the members of the church have said their church will close its doors if he leaves. He is currently serving five churches on a rotation schedule where he will do two services a Sunday except one Sunday a month, he only does one service. Forty years ago in July is when he first took the pulpit at New Mount Zion M.B. Church. Eleven years later in June 1986, he began serving his fifth church, Locust Grove M.B. Church. He also preached at Providence M.B. Church from 1971 until 1986. He has served as vice moderator of the Sharkey County Baptist Association and is currently the moderator of the Warren County Baptist Association. He was ordained in December 1968 and started serving his first church just weeks later. The profession is so much a part of his soul; oftentimes he slides into preacher mode mid-conversation. The only job Rev. Miller has ever had besides being a preacher was a letter carrier for 25 years. At 18, Miller was drafted and left high school to join World War II. He spent time in France, England, Belgium and Germany as a medic. Once the war was over, he returned to Vicksburg to finish his high school degree at Bowman High School. Rev. Miller married two years later and had eight children with his wife of almost 30 years. She passed away in 1979. He was remarried in August 2013 to Elease Fisher Miller. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Rev. Robert L. Miller for 40 years of service to New Mount Zion M.B. Church.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Mr. Robert Johnson of Grenada, MS, a beloved civil rights activist and renowned public servant. He has been remembered by many as a fighter for justice, freedom and equality for all and a pillar of his community. Johnson was born to the late Finley and Catherine Johnson on June 17, 1948, in Grenada, MS. The sixth of seven children, Robert learned the value of hard work and sacrifice. He attended Grenada High School where he played football and attended Alcorn State University on a full athletic scholarship. In 1966, the Meredith March against fear would change the path in which Robert Johnson would take his life. Robert came back to Grenada to join the Civil Rights Movement and worked to establish and protect voting rights in Mississippi. He was the local youth leader of the Grenada County Freedom Movement. Through his work with the Grenada County Freedom Movement, he helped make the nation aware of the threats, intimidation, and lawlessness being inflicted upon Black people in the town. He joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) as a Field Project Director and worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Dr. Ralph David Abernathy to continue SCLC programs in Grenada. His work with SCLC led him on organizing efforts across the country and even in Africa. In 1971, he was jailed for refusing to be drafted into the military and was sentenced to five years but was released on a full pardon in 1972 by President Gerald Ford after serving eighteen months of the sentence. Johnson continued his activism with the SCLC which led him to Covington, GA, where he met his wife Mary. They were married in November of 1974 and were later blessed with two sons, Cleon and Marcus. Robert began working for the Metro Atlanta Transit Authority as a bus operator and in 1985 began attending Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church. He and his family joined Mt. Ephraim soon after. Robert Johnson served as a trustee on the Official Board for a number of years. In 2002, he was ordained as a deacon. Around this time, Robert was honored along with Rev. Dr. Joseph Lowery, and other grassroots workers of the Civil Rights Movement with a trip to Durban, South Africa where they met South African activist and president, Nelson Mandela. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a special individual, Mr. Robert Johnson--a devoted servant of his community, a fighter for justice and equality for all people, a founder of the Grenada County Freedom Movement, and consummate family man. He will be missed by all those who know and love him.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, as the gentleman from Mississippi (Mr. Kelly) indicated, Mississippi was hit very hard with tornadoes. There were 11 deaths, and there was significant damage. We have received a disaster declaration. I want to pay a special tribute to our system of disaster response, which worked. Federal, State, and local officials came together and responded just like the textbook said they should. Nowhere have we received any complaints about help not being available. So if there is any good that we can talk about coming from such a disaster, it is this: The system that Congress put together for government to respond to its citizens in the time of disaster worked during this particular disaster in Mississippi.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4188, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2015. H.R. 4188 authorizes the United States Coast Guard, a critical component of the Department of Homeland Security, through fiscal year 2017 at $8.7 billion per year. The bill includes provisions aimed at improving Coast Guard mission effectiveness, modernizing the Service's aging vessels and other assets, and reforming U.S. maritime transportation laws. Since our Nation's earliest years, the Coast Guard has kept our ports and waterways secure, protected our shores and coastal communities, and responded to disasters and other emergencies. As Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, I recognize and thank the men and women of the Coast Guard for their work, particularly their efforts at fulfilling the Coast Guard's critical homeland security missions. I am pleased to support legislation that reauthorizes the Coast Guard to ensure that it is positioned to effectively execute its eleven vital statutory homeland security and non-homeland security missions. Modernizing the Coast Guard's aircraft, vessels, and other technology is critical to its operations. H.R. 4188 includes provisions that seek to improve the Service's acquisition process and improve the quality of assets delivered. The bill also requires the Department of Homeland Security to develop and present to Congress a strategic plan for the Coast Guard's long-term acquisition and manpower needs. This requirement will go a long way to enhancing both the DHS and Congress' understanding and prioritization of Coast Guard capability needs. In addition, H.R. 4188 directs the Coast Guard to have a new manpower requirements plan that assesses all projected mission requirements for the next four fiscal years; the number of personnel available currently and projected; capability gaps caused by a lack of available personnel; and the steps the Coast Guard will take to address these gaps. In carrying out this requirement, it is important that the Coast Guard take into account the need to foster greater diversity at all levels of the organization. Consistently deploying broad recruitment efforts can only strengthen the Coast Guard. Congress must continue to ensure these brave men and women have the necessary authorities and resources to accomplish all that they do on behalf of our Nation. H.R. 4188 is a good step in that direction, and I congratulate my colleagues in moving this important legislation forward.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I thank the gentlewoman from California for yielding the time. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. This bipartisan legislation will help better secure the Visa Waiver Program, which facilitates travel to the U.S. for 20 million visitors from 38 participating countries for both business and pleasure. While the program provides important security benefits through information-sharing agreements between participating countries and significant economic benefits from tourism, the potential security vulnerabilities of this program have been a concern. I was a primary author of provisions in the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007, which bolstered the security of the Visa Waiver Program by requiring an Electronic System for Travel Authorization, called ESTA. Through the ESTA program, Visa Waiver travelers are vetted prior to their departure to the U.S. I applaud the Department of Homeland Security for its recent efforts to make further enhancements to the ESTA program. These improvements will better secure the Visa Waiver Program, but Congress needs to do its part. That is why I am pleased to support H.R. 158. The bill was reported unanimously by voice vote from the Committee on Homeland Security earlier this year, and additional security-related provisions were added on a bipartisan basis in recent days. H.R. 158 would strengthen passport requirements for Visa Waiver travelers and require Visa Waiver participants to report lost or stolen passports within 24 hours. Enhanced information-sharing requirements would also be in place for Visa Waiver countries. In addition to that, it would mandate that Visa Waiver countries screen arriving and departing noncitizens against INTERPOL databases. Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. Its time has come. I thank Mrs. Miller of Michigan for her diligence in bringing it before our committee, and I thank Ms. Lofgren for her work in this effort. I look forward to the passage of this bill.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of an extraordinary public servant, the late Nausead Lyvelle Stewart. Nausead was born August 15, 1931 in Starkville, Mississippi to Tommy James Stewart and Rosa Rogers Stewart. Upon graduation from Oktibbeha County Training High School, she chose to attend Tougaloo College where she graduated with honors in History and Home Economics. Afterwards, she taught high school history for thirteen years in West Point, Mississippi, while acquiring her M.A. degree from Atlanta University. Nausead entered the University of Mississippi School Of Law in 1967 and graduated with honors in May, 1970, where she was the first African American law student to serve on the law journal. In law school, she roomed with Constance Slaughter Harvey, who finished the law school a semester earlier, as the first African American female graduate. Nausead contributed immensely to the legal profession and the pursuit of equal justice for all. Upon graduation, she, along with her classmate Geraldine Harrington Carnes, was hired by the Lawyers Constitutional Defense Committee (LCDC) to assist the then director, Armand Derfner and Jim Lewis with civil rights litigation. A year later, when LCDC closed its Mississippi Office, Nausead was hired to work across the street at Anderson, Banks, Nichols and Leventhal to assist with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) civil rights litigation. That work consisted primarily of dealing with the post desegregation discriminatory practices in teacher and administrator hiring and retention. Nausead played a primary role in litigating several cases to assure the enforcement of the Uniform Singleton Decree. That Decree provided for the utilization of objective non-racial standards in determining which education professionals would be retained should desegregation result in a loss of positions due to duplication. It also provided a first right of refusal for subsequent new openings to any professionals who were not rehired because of such duplication. Additionally, Nausead worked on other successful employment class actions against large employers in our state. A case law query will reveal some of the great work that she did during this era and continuing in to the 1980s. In 1975, Nausead became a partner and the firm name was changed to Anderson, Banks, Nichols and Stewart. Three years later, Nausead left the firm to assume the position as head of the Jackson Office for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, thus completing the circle of having been a lawyer for the three foremost civil rights legal offices in the 1960s and 70s, the Lawyers Committee, NAACP LDF, and LCDC. In the 1980s, the Lawyers Committee closed its Jackson Office, whereupon, Nausead joined the Walker and Walker firm in Jackson, headed by John L. Walker and William Walker, Jr. While working there, Nausead handled the firm's appellate work and motion practice and was a mentor for James E. Graves, Jr. and Regina Quinn who also worked there during her tenure. In 1982, Nausead offered her services to the citizens of Hinds County for the County Court Judge position thus becoming the first African American female judicial candidate. After practicing law with the Walker and Walker firm for several years, Nausead assumed a position with Minact Inc. where she engaged in grant writing and compliance until her retirement. On July 18, 2000 and during her retirement, Nausead served as a Jackson Civil Service Commissioner after having been appointed by Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson and served until May 2, 2006. Nausead took great pride in community services on numerous boards of community organizations and received awards for her work with those organizations. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. which she joined while at Tougaloo College. Nausead was preceded in death by her aforementioned parents. She is survived by her sister, Doris Anderson; brother, and Thomas J. Stewart, Jr. Mr. Speaker, on November 10, 2015, we lost a treasure in Nausead. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing a diligent advocate, a conscientious worker, and a selfless servant leader whose life was dedicated to the cause of humanity, Nausead Lyvelle Stewart.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary young scholar, Miss Ericka Wheeler. Ericka is currently a senior at Millsap College majoring in English and History with plans to become a physician after watching her grandfather suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Ericka wrote a thesis tracking how police brutality and race have been treated in fiction since the 1930s. She attended Greenwood High School for two years, followed by her junior and senior year at the Mississippi School of Math and Science in Columbus. Her journeys so far have taken her from Mississippi to Cambodia and Cuba. Her next stop will be England, as a Rhodes Scholar. She is the first African-American woman from Mississippi to claim the prestigious honor and has been chosen as one of 32 U.S. men and women who will enter Oxford University next fall for postgraduate study. Ericka, who plans to attend medical school later, said she will study medical anthropology. Millsap's President Robert Pearigen said Wheeler's devotion to Mississippi's Delta region is part of what makes her special. ``She encountered some of the greatest poverty and starkest racial divisions found in the developed world,'' Pearigen said in a statement. ``She is bound to the place by a sense of duty but is motivated to care for it by a love for its people.'' Ericka said she was inspired to become a physician after watching her grandfather suffer from Alzheimer's disease. Since his death, she's worked with other Alzheimer's patients to record their life stories, producing documents for their families. Wheeler credited the impetus for her application to history Professor Robert McElvaine. As a student of McElvaine, Wheeler traveled to Vietnam and Cambodia after her freshman year and to Cuba after her sophomore year. ``I remember him saying the chances weren't very great at all, but it would be a good process to go through,'' Wheeler said. ``They didn't want to get my hopes up.'' I urge Miss Wheeler to continue to break barriers and strive for academic excellence. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Miss Ericka Wheeler for her dedication to serving others and scholastic achievement.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. I am opposed.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the generosity from my colleague from Michigan on the time. Mr. Speaker, we live in uncertain and dangerous times with ever- evolving terrorist threats. The brutality that ISIL has inflicted on innocent people is both chilling and demands action. As Members of Congress, we have a responsibility to do all we can to protect our citizens. In the wake of the Paris attacks, questions have been raised about the screening system that the U.S. utilizes and whether it can be exploited by terrorists. In light of those questions, Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from the Department of Homeland Security former Secretary Janet Napolitano and former Secretary Michael Chertoff supporting the current system of vetting refugees. November 19, 2015. Hon. Barack Obama, President of the United States, The White House, Washington, DC. Dear Mr. President: Following the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, substantial progress has been made in protecting our nation's homeland. The ongoing efforts by our national security experts have provided tools and resources to make a coordinated attack like the one in Paris last week much more difficult to achieve here at home. As a nation, we have strengthened security at our air, land, and sea ports; we have strengthened the ability to monitor the travel of bad actors and detect fraud in our visa process; we have strengthened partnerships with state and local law enforcement across the nation to ensure that they are prepared; and we have engaged with minority and ethnic communities to prevent homegrown radicalization. As former Secretaries of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, it is our view that the American people are safer due to these efforts, but the Paris attacks remind us that we must remain ever-vigilant in this effort and that the highest priority of our government is to keep American's safe. It is our view that we can achieve this mission in a manner that is consistent with American values of openness and inclusiveness. With respect to refugees seeking to resettle here, it is our view that we can admit the most vulnerable of these refugees into this country safely as long as we do not compromise the already established protections. The process for any refugee seeking entry to the United States requires the highest level of scrutiny from a law enforcement and national security perspective. The process takes place while the refugees are still overseas, and it is lengthy and deliberate--taking an average of 18-24 months with no waiver of any steps. First, we consider only the most vulnerable-- particularly survivors of violence and torture, those with severe medical conditions, and women and children--for potential admittance to the U.S. Once a candidate is selected they are subjected to biographic and biometric security reviews based on the latest intelligence from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Counterterrorism Center, the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center, the Department of State, and the Department of Defense. If they pass these national security checks, they will then be personally interviewed by specially trained DHS personnel to ensure they are qualified for admittance. They are then subjected to recurrent vetting up to the final point of departure and a final interview at the border before being admitted into the

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, in recent days, however, we have seen a number of Governors, including the Governor of my home State, choose fear over facts. If they had done their research, they would have learned that our program is an extensive 13-step process. It starts with a referral from the United Nations of a prescreened person within its refugee camps, requires the Department of Homeland Security to do in-person interviews, and subjects each applicant to recurring vetting against the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, FBI, Department of Defense, and intelligence community terrorist and criminal databases. No excuses, Mr. Speaker. If any one of those reviews pops up with a problem, that person can't be considered for the refugee program--no excuses. Unlike in Europe, where migrants crossed into countries that had little opportunity to vet them, no alien is allowed onto U.S. soil until all the checks are completed to DHS' satisfaction. As has already been said by my colleague, Zoe Lofgren, it takes about 18 to 24 months to process an applicant for refugee status. Now, that processing is thorough, Mr. Speaker, and it is complete. But there has been a reference to a stolen passport in the Paris situation. That person, if they had applied for the refugee program, would have had to go through the same process of vetting that would have required at least 18 to 24 months. So the thought that that person could just get on a plane and get here to this country is actually not accurate, and that is my effort to perfect the record. Our system of vetting is a multi-layered, multi-agency approach where the FBI has veto authority on any applicant seeking refugee status. While no system is risk free, the protections in place in the American system are rigorous, robust, and extensive. In fact, Mr. Speaker, yesterday a witness that the majority invited to appear before our committee, Matthew Olsen, the former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, told our committee that no refugee program in the world is as extensive as what we do in the United States. Yet, here we are today considering H.R. 4038, a bill that would upend the current system, which was developed by security personnel with one thought in mind: to protect the homeland. And these security personnel have done a wonderful job. To the knowledge of all of us, none of the refugees that we are talking about from Syria or Iraq who came through this system have done anything but been model citizens since they have been here. Just for the record, there were 23,000 people that applied for refugee status from these two countries. Of those 23,000, about 7,000 were actually interviewed. Of those 7,000, only 2,000 were admitted. So, Mr. Speaker, our system is robust. It works and it speaks to our values as Americans. I am proud to say that people who are abused, people who are oppressed, can still look to this country, follow the rules. If those rules are properly applied, they can look to America as somewhere they can call home, because most of those individuals applying for refugee status can't go home. Once again, I call on Members to embrace facts over fear, Mr. Speaker, and vote against H.R. 4038.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, this is the final amendment to the bill, which will not kill the bill or send it back to committee. If adopted, the bill will immediately proceed to final passage, as amended. Mr. Speaker, my motion to recommit will do several things: The first thing it will do is require the Secretary of Homeland Security to verify the identity of refugee applicants. Any application that contains insufficient, conflicting, or unreliable information would be denied. The second point of my motion to recommit is that this motion will require at least five Federal agencies--the Department of Homeland Security, the Attorney General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Director of National Intelligence--all together to check refugee applicants against their records. Any application that indicates a national security or criminal threat would be denied. In addition, Mr. Speaker, my motion would also require that the Secretary of Homeland Security would certify that all relevant Federal immigration laws have been complied with and that the applicant has not been resettled in a safe third-party country, and has the Department of Homeland Security inspector general's review as a sample of the certifications. Fourthly, Mr. Speaker, my motion to recommit would require the Department of Homeland Security inspector general to submit monthly reports to Congress on refugee applications from Syria and Iraq. The Secure Refugee Process Act of 2015 is a pro-security, pro-compassion bill that would ensure the U.S. continues to maintain the most extensive interagency security screening process in the world to vet all people who seek safe harbor in our great Nation. Mr. Speaker, the people we are talking about in this particular motion really don't have a country. Many of them have been tortured. The women have been raped. The children, for lack of a better term, are destitute. We are a Nation of values. My bill speaks to those values. It does not pause the process. It does not create a moratorium on the process. It adds an additional layer of security without stopping the refugee program. It is not an immigration bill. It is a refugee program. As I said earlier, we had 23,000 individuals apply for status under this particular program who were Iraqi or Syrian citizens. Of that number, 7,000 received interviews. Of that number, around 2,000 were approved. So it takes time. My motion to recommit is a prudent approach to recognizing the values of this country. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of an extraordinary public servant, the late Nausead Lyvelle Stewart. Nausead was born August 15, 1931 in Starkville, Mississippi to Tommy James Stewart and Rosa Rogers Stewart. Upon graduation from Oktibbeha County Training High School, she chose to attend Tougaloo College where she graduated with honors in History and Home Economics. Afterwards, she taught high school history for thirteen years in West Point, Mississippi, while acquiring her M.A. degree from Atlanta University. Nausead entered the University of Mississippi School Of Law in 1967 and graduated with honors in May, 1970, where she was the first African American law student to serve on the law journal. In law school, she roomed with Constance Slaughter Harvey, who finished the law school a semester earlier, as the first African American female graduate. Nausead contributed immensely to the legal profession and the pursuit of equal justice for all. Upon graduation, she, along with her classmate Geraldine Harrington Carnes, was hired by the Lawyers Constitutional Defense Committee (LCDC) to assist the then director, Armand Derfner and Jim Lewis with civil rights litigation. A year later, when LCDC closed its Mississippi Office, Nausead was hired to work across the street at Anderson, Banks, Nichols and Leventhal to assist with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) civil rights litigation. That work consisted primarily of dealing with the post desegregation discriminatory practices in teacher and administrator hiring and retention. Nausead played a primary role in assuring, through litigating several cases, that the ``Uniform Singleton Decree'' which provided for the utilization of objective non- racial standards in determining which education professionals would be retained should desegregation result in a loss of positions due to duplication. It also provided a first right of refusal for subsequent new openings to any professionals who were not rehired because of such duplication. Additionally, Nausead worked on other successful employment class actions against large employers in our state. A case law query will reveal some of the great work that she did during this era and continuing in to the 1980s. In 1975, Nausead became a partner and the firm name was changed to Anderson, Banks, Nichols and Stewart. Three years later, Nausead left the firm to assume the position as head of the Jackson Office for the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, thus completing the circle of having been a lawyer for the three foremost civil rights legal offices in the 1960s and 70s, the Lawyers Committee, NAACP LDF, and LCDC. In the 1980s, the Lawyers Committee closed its Jackson Office, whereupon, Nausead joined the Walker and Walker firm in Jackson, headed by John L. Walker and William Walker, Jr. While working there, Nausead handled the firm's appellate work and motion practice and was a mentor for James E. Graves, Jr. and Regina Quinn who also worked there during her tenure. In 1982, Nausead offered her services to the citizens of Hinds County for the County Court Judge position thus becoming the first African American female judicial candidate. After practicing law with the Walker and Walker firm for several years, Nausead assumed a position with Minact Inc. where she engaged in grant writing and compliance until her retirement. On July 18, 2000 and during her retirement, Nausead served as a Jackson Civil Service Commissioner after having been appointed by Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson and served until May 2, 2006. Nausead took great pride in community services on numerous boards of community organizations and received awards for her work with those organizations. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. which she joined while at Tougaloo College. Nausead was preceded in death by her aforementioned parents. She is survived by her sister, Doris Anderson; brother, and Thomas J. Stewart, Jr. Mr. Speaker, on November 10, 2015, we lost a treasure in Nausead. I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing a diligent advocate, a conscientious worker, and a selfless servant leader whose life was dedicated to the cause of humanity, Nausead Lyvelle Stewart.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a driven and ambitious woman, Pastor Linda Sweezer. Pastor Sweezer has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to make a positive difference in doing God's will and spreading his Word. Linda Sweezer was born the youngest child in a family of ten to Bessie Dillard and the late Alfred Dillard, Jr. in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She was saved at the tender age of ten. She is a 1978 graduate of Vicksburg High School and attended and graduated from Milsaps College, Jackson, MS in 1982. She worked at Vicksburg Family Development Service for 19 years--fourteen of those years as the Co-Director. She was called into the Gospel Ministry on February 5, 1995, ordained in 1997 and again in 2006 by Bishop T.D. Jakes of Dallas, Texas at The Potter's House International. She was called to pastor and founded The House of Peace Worship Church in December 2001. It is known as: ``The Church Where the Holy Spirit is in Charge.'' In May 2006, the Holy Spirit led Pastor Sweezer to begin another church in the Rolling Fork area; it is known as The House of Peace Worship Church International/ Delta. Apostle Linda Sweezer is also a playwright and has written, produced and directed fifteen major productions, which were performed in the theater in the surrounding areas of Vicksburg, Rolling Fork and Fayette, Mississippi and Texarkana, TX. She is the author of a book entitled, ``Eating Along the Way!--A Survivor's Guide for People Who Are Serious About Hearing God's Call.'' In addition, she was the co-owner of a Christian bookstore. She was affirmed into the Apostolic calling on July 29th, 2011. The Affirmation Ceremony was conducted by Apostle Michael O. Exum, Executive Director of The Potter's House International Pastoral Alliance and Apostle Eyvone Smith of His Harvest Ministries, Oxford, Mississippi. Some other achievements include: appointed Board Member of the United Way of West Central Mississippi (2011-2014); Director of The House of Peace Substance Abuse Prevention Program; appointed for a second term to the Election Commission (2009-2012); appointed to the Election Commission (2005-2009); appointed twice to the City of Vicksburg Civil Service Commission. Pastor Sweezer was honored as a Local Recipient of 100 Black Women; recognized as a Distinguished African American by St. Mark Freewill Baptist Church; nominated as one of the 50 Leading Business Women of America. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. named a scholarship in Pastor Linda Sweezer's name at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast and she was appointed to the Vicksburg-Warren School District Advisory Council to develop plans for building Mega Schools. She also has received several awards and recognitions. She was selected by the Ivyettes of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. as one of the Religious Role Models; Outstanding Young Women of America; Woman of Excellence Award in Art and Literature; Sower of the Lord Award and Peacemaker Award given by the Flying High for Jesus Outreach. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Pastor Linda Sweezer for her passion and dedication to spread the word of God and desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable entrepreneur, Mrs. LaTonya Williams-Bradley. Strands of long, black locks fell effortlessly onto the floor as a pair of young eyes looked on eagerly--carefully observing the technique of the hands behind the shears that snipped away to create a new, edgy look. Mrs. Williams-Bradley of Cleveland watched intently as her mother cut, washed and curled mane after mane, building a strong clientele at her Rosedale salon. She remembers while sitting and observing her mother at her salon as a child, that she desired to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a hair stylist. But, what she didn't know was that she would also become an agent, to help others do the same, as owner and CEO of Goshen School of Cosmetology in Cleveland, Mississippi. As a single parent Mrs. Williams-Bradley received her cosmetology education at Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Mississippi, where she graduated in 2006. After passing the state licensure to become a licensed cosmetologist, Mrs. Williams-Bradley returned to Coahoma Community College to further her cosmetology career to become a cosmetology instructor and completed that course of study in 2009. She was immediately offered the opportunity to become a cosmetology instructor at Coahoma Community College. After working at Coahoma Community College she worked at Blue Cliff College in Gulfport, Mississippi as a cosmetology instructor. During her tenure as an instructor she decided that it was time to pursue her dream of owning her salon and began researching entrepreneurship practices and opportunities, eventually, deciding it was time to pursue her dream of one day opening her own salon. In 2011 she opened Goshen Salon and Boutique in Cleveland, Mississippi. She chose the biblical name Goshen because it is a land of plenty, comfort and growth in Egypt. On July 29, 2013 she opened Goshen School of Cosmetology with a core curriculum and institution designed to promote growth, increase and comfort. Now, what was once the dream of a little girl has become a reality. Mrs. Williams-Bradley has enjoyed substantial success in the exciting field of cosmetology. Where over the last nine years she owned and managed two successful hair salons while teaching at two colleges, inspired numerous students to strive for excellence and to achieve their maximum potential. The motto she shares with others is ``Whatever is your passion and your heart's desire--pursue it and be the best at it and believe that there is nothing too hard for God.'' Mrs. Williams-Bradley is married to Tony Bradley and has four children: Teara, Tamaryea, Zira and Lauren. She is the daughter of Freddie and Barbara Graham and has two (2) siblings: Erica Jackson and Beauty Graham. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an amazing entrepreneur.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable business, Upper Kutz Barber & Style College. Upper Kutz Barber & Style College maintains the philosophy that their students come to them for; education, skill development, and career advancement. They believe in equal opportunity for all students, reinforced with training. Placement assistance has helped their students to become enterprising professionals. The school has an orderly, purposeful, businesslike atmosphere which is free from threat of physical harm. The school climate is not oppressive and is conducive to teaching and learning. The school has an atmosphere of expatiation in which the staff believes and demonstrates that all students can attain mastery of the essential barber cultural skills and that they have the capability to help all students attain that mastery. The mission of Upper Kutz Barber & Style College is to train men and women: 1. To familiarize and instruct students in the proper and most current methods in all phases of barbering; 2. To make a living in the business world; 3. To become good citizens on both local and national levels; 4. To be able to recognize problems and procedures in business and industry from the view-point of both producer and consumer; 5. To assist students in suitable job placement; 6. To provide assistance and counseling to graduates; 7. To develop self-discipline, self-reliance, and self-direction and; 8. To enter the national work force as productive individuals. Furthermore, the school has at least 1200 square feet of floor space, composed of two separate areas: The class room and lecture area and the clinical/lab area, where services are practiced on school patrons. The clinical area is equipped with at least 10 modern built in-stations, 10 mirrors, 10 hydraulic chairs, 3 sinks, 3 dryer chairs, a dispensing area, and a reception area. This salon environment prepares students for professional operation in the career field. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Upper Kutz Barber & Style College for its dedication to serving and giving back to the community.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Damian Murriel. It sounds strange, but owning and operating a funeral home has been a childhood dream for Mr. Damian Murriel--at least it has been ever since he started working in the business. Damian Murriel began his first job in a funeral home at the age of 16. Then a sophomore in high school, Damian Murriel performed various custodial services at Cook's Funeral Home. When he graduated from Forest Hill High School in 1994 he left for Gupton-Jones School of Mortuary Science. Two years later after he completed his schooling and became a licensed funeral director and embalmer, he began traveling, doing internships and apprenticeships in other states, including brief stints in Illinois and Indiana. In 2000 he left for a job as funeral director of Gregory B. Levett and Sons Funeral Home in Atlanta, Georgia, where the wake for TLC's Lisa ``Left Eye'' Lopes was held. On April 17, 2003 Damian Murriel's life-long dream to own and operate a funeral home became a reality. ``I never lost sight of what I was pursuing.'' Damian Murriel said ``I want to clean up the area and enhance the community with the funeral home.'' Murriel said. Murriel's motto is: ``Serving Families in Their Time of Need.'' He is a member of the Mississippi Funeral Directors and Morticians Association. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Damian Murriel.

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mr. Antwan Clark. Antwan Clark was born March 26, 1980 to the proud parents of Sylvester and Jeanette Clark of Lexington, Mississippi. He has two sisters, Kadisha and Abbie. Antwan is the epitome of the phrase ``strength through adversity''. After being left paralyzed after a car accident during his junior year of high school, Antwan persevered. His determination to attain success motivated him to graduate from J.J. McClain High School in 1998 with honors. After graduating with honors from JJMHS, Antwan attended Holmes Community College and majored in Business and Office Technology. To continue pursuing his goals, he then enrolled in Antonelli College where he earned a degree in Computer Technical Support and Networking, maintaining a 3.9 grade-point average. In 2007, the Career College Association invited Antwan to Washington, D.C., where he was awarded for his achievements. Antwan is currently employed by the Community Students Learning Center (CSLC) in Lexington, MS as an Information Technology Specialist and Website Developer. He also uses his knowledge and technical skills to tutor and teach computer classes at CSLC. Antwan also has a home- based computer repair business called ``Top Quality Computer Services'' located at 1131 Busy Bee Road, Lexington, MS 39095. His business specializes in issues regarding: computer repair, software applications, computer networking, virus/spyware removal, and website design. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Antwan Clark for his dedication and support to the Holmes County Community.