Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor two men who were highly motivated entrepreneurs who made their life's wages from cultivating and harvesting the land on which their families lived on: Mr. John Grenada and Mr. Samuel Grenada.

John and Samuel Grenada were well known farmers within the Mount Olive community in Bolton, Mississippi. Dating back to as early as the 1950s, the Grenadas farmed an area of about 20-30 acres of land, which was located not far from Northside Drive. The Grenadas cultivated a number of crops, such as cotton, white potatoes, corn and butter beans. In addition to crops, the Grenadas also raised livestock, such as turkeys and geese.

All throughout rural Hinds county, the Grenadas supported their family financially through selling their crops and livestock throughout the various harvesting seasons as roadside vendors. Not only were they able to sell their harvested crops, but they were also able to feed their families, making great use of their land. The Grenadas were dedicated, talented farmers who mastered the craft of cultivating the land for nearly 40 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. John and Samuel Grenada for their impeccable cultivator talent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a man who made his life's wages from cultivating and harvesting the land to financially support his family, Mr. Leon Cheatham.

Mr. Cheatham was considered a masterful farmer by many in the Lyons Quarter community in Bolton, MS. Dating back to as early as the 1960s, Mr. Cheatham farmed approximately 21 acres of land, which was located at 2036 Lyons Road. Mr. Cheatham cultivated a number of crops, such as sweet potatoes, corn, sugar cane, watermelons, numerous other vegetables, and cotton.

In addition to crops, Mr. Cheatham also bred and raised cattle and swine, all of which were used to help feed his family. He oftentimes sold the sugar cane crops throughout rural Hinds County as a roadside vendor, while the cattle and swine he raised were sold at auctions in Jackson and Canton. Ultimately, Mr. Cheatham diligently farmed his land for approximately 25 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Leon Cheatham for his impeccable cultivator talent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Louis Williams, Jr.

Mr. Williams, Jr., a native of Yazoo City, Mississippi, was born September, 25, 1945 to Inell Martin and Louis Williams, Sr.

Mr. Williams attended and graduated from Yazoo Training School and Jackson State University. He went to work for the Post Office in 1973, where he worked for 28 years.

Mr. Williams started a one man operation farm in 1997 after he bought a horse and two acre plots to house his horse. Unfortunately, he later learned the horse died prior to him moving his horse to its new home.

Currently, he owns and farms 77 acres of peas, corn, watermelon and okra that he sales at Wal-Mart. He also raises chickens and rabbits. He plans to leave the farm to his children and grandchildren.

Mr. Williams is married to Patricia Williams and to that union they have three children: Gabriel, Rodney and Deidra. He is a member of Tulane Baptist Church and Mr. Williams enjoys working in political campaigns.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a long standing black farmer, Mr. Herbert Allen, Sr. of ``Allen Farm''. He and his family are residents of Silver City in Humphreys County, MS where generations of Allens have been farming since the 1940s, which gives them over 70 years.

The story of the Allen family as black farmers includes major setbacks, but they are still in operation today. Grandpa Nathan Allen started with 40 acres of land in an effort to provide a decent living for himself, his wife, and 6 children. After he died, his son Herbert Allen, Sr. began operating the 40-acre farm and grew it into 323 acres. Herbert and his wife, Nomie, raised 9 children on that small and hard to come by income because again the challenges of the black families were real. In fact they raised most of the food they used to feed their family.

Mr. Speaker and colleagues, the odds have been great and many: Depression, rainy and dry crop years with little to sometimes no government compensation, floods, bad loans, too little loans, and other unfortunate things, but again, through it all they survived.

Herbert Allen, Sr. operated the farm for over 50 years until his death in 2006, then Herbert, Jr. and his brother, Freddie, took over the operation. Although the two brothers managed the daily affairs, it was still a family affair involving all the siblings. There are several spinoff businesses that have been developed: Allen Recycling (Canton and Yazoo City, MS), Allen Heating and Air (Gulfport, MS), and Allen Cattle Ranch (Silver City, MS).

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mr. Herbert Allen, Sr., a black farmer from Mississippi's Second Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a prodigal farmer, Frank Wilbourn.

Mr. Wilbourn was born and raised in Marks, MS. He is 71 years old and has the ageless quality of someone with natural wisdom and a generous spirit. At age 22, he took the road north for the promise of better paying jobs. After returning home from 23 years of working in the steels mills of Milwaukee, he bought his father's farm and began life as one of the few local organic produce growers and the only local organic produce seller in the town. This land was purchased by his parents in 1939.

Mr. Wilbourn spends part of his days below a shade tree besides the Fred's Dollars Store parking lot. His truck bed overflows with cabbage, string beans, bundles of kale, bags of okra, and baskets of tomatoes and peppers.

Mr. Wilbourn grows all of the produce himself on a 5-acre fraction of his 100-acre farm that's nearby. On his property, two high tunnels stand in stark contrast to the surrounding straight lines of pines and the row crops of area farms.

Mr. Wilbourn is a part of the Delta Fresh Family and was inspired by his wisdom and love for his community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Frank Wilbourn for his dedication in being a remarkable farmer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mrs. Cathy Kimbrough. Mrs. Kimbrough has served adults and children in numerous capacities. Some of the service area include: reading instructor in Germany, General College reading instructor at Alcorn State University, and self-contained and inclusion teacher in the Attala County School District.

Mrs. Kimbrough has served her community as local president of the Attala County Association of Educators. Mrs. Kimbrough has also served on the Board of Directors for the Boys' and Girls' Club in Kosciusko/ Attala County.

Mrs. Kimbrough is a member of the following organizations: Order of the Eastern Star, National Council of Negro Women, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She is also a member of Pleasant Hill M.B. Church, pastored by Rev. Osie C. Grays.

Mrs. Kimbrough earned her bachelor's and master's degrees from Jackson State University. She was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and the Alpha Beta Alpha Library Science Fraternity.

She is married to Mr. Henry Kimbrough. She has four children: Jerry Jr. (Erica), Essence Crystal (Theodore), Sonja Merrie', and Joyanne' Faith; six grandchildren--Deontrez Jerrick, Jersia, Kamiah, Kayla and Shytianna. She enjoys creating song lyrics, writing poetry, reading and fishing.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Cathy Kimbrough for her dedication to serving others in Attala County.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor one of baseball's greatest contributors to the game, Mr. George ``Boomer'' Scott. His attitude and stature did determine his altitude.

Mr. George ``Boomer'' Scott knew pick'n cotton was not all he could do. The Jim Crow south prepared him for the challenges and opportunities that would be forthcoming. And his ability to tackle any task and meet any challenge was a ``God given talent.'' Many wanted him, the University of Oklahoma, University of California in Los Angeles, Michigan State University, and Jackson State University.

In May 1962, Red Sox scout Ed Scott, recognized that God given talent and signed

George ``Boomer'' Scott with the Boston Red Sox and he reported to the minor leagues training camp. This was during the time in which blacks did not receive sign-on bonuses but were eager to play the game. His dream to play in the major league following in the footsteps of his ideal, Willie Mays, came in 1965 when he made the Red Sox roster and opened the season on third base. During his career in major league baseball, George eventually met Willie Mays and played against him in several games.

Mr. George ``Boomer'' Scott helped to break many barriers in major league baseball and set his own records to be beat. At his first rookie camp his talent was appreciated but not his color. Nevertheless, his love for the sport and determination to not return to Mississippi the same kept George in the race. He was not allowed to have the same eating and sleeping arrangements as his white baseball team mates.

In 1966, he hit his first major league home run against the Detroit Tigers; while also earning the reputation as one of the greatest defensive first baseman to ever play in the league. Aside from that, he hit a homerun against Whitey Ford that is remembered as one of the longest homeruns in baseball history with acknowledgements coming from some of baseballs greatest like Mickey Mantle. In that same year, 1966, George was considered as one of the leagues batting leaders, hitting .330 earning him a slot behind Tony Oliva and Baltimore Robinson boys, Frank and Brooks. As a rookie his career highs and some of the best games ever played in baseball slated George to be ``Rookie of the Year'' by many of his colleagues. Baseball Hall of Famer, Rick Ferrell said, ``In all my years in baseball I have never seen a player have a debut like Scott. He's amazing.''

In 1971 he was traded to the Milwaukee Brewer's and that became his career year when he won his seventh Gold Glove and recognized as Milwaukee's MVP. But change came in 1978 when George's career slowed down due to injuries. His career began to experience continuous highs and lows. Starting in 1979, he was traded to Kansas City and shortly afterwards to the New York Yankees, the Texas Rangers, and in 1980 to the Mexican League. A career decision was inevitable, so George decided to retire from major league baseball but, not his love and dedication to the game.

George held many managerial positions, in both the Mexican League and the Independent League with such teams as Saskatoon Riot, Massachusetts Mad Dogs, and Rio Grande Valley White Wings of the Texas-Louisiana League. From 1991 to 1996, George coached at Rothbury Community College. He finished his managing career in baseball with the Berkshire Black Bears of the Northern League in 2002.

In 2006, George was inducted into the Red Sox Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Hall of Fame. Sure, career lows are expected just as careers highs are preferred, but both contributed to him having a great baseball career. We are thankful however, that his career highs out- numbered his career lows helping George to earn the reputation bestowed upon him by his baseball colleagues, as one of the best in many positions of the game.

Mr. George ``Boomer'' Scott broke barriers and set records; he had three sons of which he was very proud, often boasting about them to friends and colleagues. Dion, his oldest played professional baseball but is currently a principal in the Atlanta Public School District. George, III is in real estate in New Bedford, MA. His youngest son, Brian, played college baseball for Mississippi Delta Community College and had a batting high of over .400 in 2006 breaking his Dads record of .330 in 1966.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. George ``Boomer'' Scott, one of baseball's greatest players; I am proud that he was a product of the Mississippi Second Congressional District. Rest in peace Boomer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a woman who made her life's wages from cultivating and harvesting the land on which her family lived, Mrs. Ocey Richmond.

Mrs. Ocey Richmond was a sharecropper in Bolton, Mississippi. Dating back to as early as the 1950s, Mrs. Richmond farmed an area of about 15-20 acres of land, which was located not far from Bolton-Brownsville Road. Mrs. Richmond cultivated a number of crops, such as sweet potatoes, corn, peanuts, numerous other vegetables, and cotton.

As a sharecropper, a portion of her harvest was payment for her land and home, which was leased to her through the white-owned Gaddis & McLauren Seed and Feed Store. Not only were they able to sell their harvested crops, but they were also able to feed their families, making great use of their land.

Mrs. Richmond enlisted the help of other family members in assisting with the daily demands of cultivating and harvesting acres of land. Other members of her family, such as Deanna Hill and Clarence Richmond assisted her, helping to meet the demands and expectations of her sharecropping responsibilities.

By 1973, Mrs. Richmond ceased cultivating the land and moved from her leased property to another area within the Bolton community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Ocey Richmond for her impeccable cultivator talent.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Walter L. Ware who is a remarkable public servant, Sunday School Teacher, and laborer for the church.

Mr. Walter L. Ware was born in Carroll County, Mississippi on September 19, 1943 to the late Granville and Myrtle Ruth Ware. To this union ten children were born, four girls and six boys. In 1983, his father passed away. Recently, his mother was honored by her family when she turned the young age of 98 on April 21, 2013.

Mr. Ware attended Browning Elementary School. After elementary school, he attended and graduated from Amanda Elzy High School. Upon graduating from Amanda Elzy, Walter spent his summers up North working so that he could make some money to pay for his college education. He attended Coahoma Community College before transferring to Alcorn State University. At Alcorn he obtained his Bachelor's Degree. Later, he would obtain a Master's Degree from Mississippi Valley State University.

Mr. Ware is a very well known respected member of the Browning Community where he grew up and still lives. It is here, where in 1972, he began to raise cattle on over 200 acres of land. In 1999 he began to grow milo and soybeans.

He served as board member from 1983-1984 for the Mississippi Action for Progress.

He has received such awards as Teacher of the Year for the Leflore County School District, where he served as Social Studies teacher for 29 years before retiring. He has continued to drive the bus for the district for over 40 years. In 1984 he received an Outstanding Service to the Community Award. Later in 1998 the United States Department of Agriculture would honor him with a Certificate of Appreciation for his work in agriculture.

He is married to Earlean Maxwell. Together they are the proud parents of three sons and one daughter.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable unsung hero, Mrs. Williestine ``Peggy'' Lark, a woman who is truly worthy of admiration.

Mrs. Lark is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, an educator, a mentor, and a friend who exemplifies true womanhood through her virtuous lifestyle. She has dedicated her life to empowering the lives of her family and community.

Mrs. Lark is the third of twelve children born in the small town of Monticello, MS. She has always desired to pursue a good education and become successful in life. After completing high school, she attended Mississippi Valley State University located in Itta Bena, MS. Mrs. Lark was the first in her family to graduate from college. After receiving her degree, she became a teacher in Durant Public Schools. In 1969, she married and started a family there in Durant, MS.

While raising her children, Denise, Monica and LaRonica, Mrs. Lark instilled in them the value of being well-educated. She lived by example and continued to pursue her education as well. She received her Master's Degree in Education in 1979 and continued to further her education with degrees from both Jackson State University and Delta State University. Mrs. Lark was relentlessly involved in her daughters' education and committed to supporting them in their extracurricular activities. She also voluntarily took on mentoring children in her community as well as the students she taught. With her support and encouragement, many of her students have successful careers. Among them are her daughters--Denise, who is an elementary school principal and Monica, a high school teacher.

In the year of 1995, Mrs. Lark lost her daughter, LaRonica to a car accident. Although this was a trying time for her, she thrived by sharing herself with the children in her community. Even through her daughter's death, she allowed her daughter to become an organ donor and donated her heart.

Today, Mrs. Lark is active in her grandchildren's education and encourages them to volunteer in their schools and community. Her grandchildren are honor students--one of who has graduated from high school attends college on scholarship, with an ACT score of 25. Her grandson and two granddaughters volunteer every summer in programs for youth.

Mrs. Lark is retired from teaching after 35 years in the Durant Public Schools system. She is presently the coordinator of the after- school tutorial program at the Community Students Learning Center in Lexington, MS, where she teaches and inspires children from her ``heart''. She can often be found voluntarily transporting community children to summer programs and activities throughout the community.

In Mrs. Lark's personal time, she often opens up her home to mentor, tutor, feed, and reward children for their achievements. She is also a devoted Christian and Sunday school teacher. She loves to help children learn, be creative, and feel good about themselves.

There is nothing more picturesque than the smile that Mrs. Lark wears for each child's accomplishments. She has the gift of making people feel good about themselves and finds the time to teach and inspire those around her, giving others the ability to wear that same smile that she wears everyday.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an unsung hero, Mrs. Williestine ``Peggy'' Lark, for her dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable farmer and hero, Mr. Rogers Benjamin Morris, Sr., who is a resident of Mound Bayou, MS.

His father, Mr. Ajax Julius Morris, Sr., was a fortunate man. His parents afforded him the opportunity to attend Alcorn State College, currently known today as Alcorn State University, during a time when most African Americans received very little or, in many instances, no educational opportunities at all. Also, his wife, Rowena Bell Morris, attended Natchez College. In 1974, after rearing and formally educating all five of their children, Mrs. Morris returned to college at Mississippi Valley State University and graduated with a degree in education at the ``tender age of 68.''

As staunch proponents of hard work and educational excellence, Mr. and Mrs. Morris worked unstintingly to ensure that their three sons and two daughters received the best education possible. Among those five children was Rogers Benjamin Morris, Sr., the youngest in the family. He was born on November 9, 1945, in the small, rural community of Winterville, MS, where he received his early education.

In 1964, he graduated as salutatorian from O'Bannon High School, in Greenville, MS. In 1968, he graduated from Jackson State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. In 1972, Mr. Morris received a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Health from the University of Cincinnati and furthered his education toward a master's degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

As a youngster growing up on a farm, he learned what it meant to work hard and persevere; these qualities helped direct his career back to the family farm more than 35 years ago. Realizing that farming involves a lot more than the growing of crops, he taught his own sons farm work during the early stages of their lives, thereby providing them with experiences that cultivated and shaped their character, as well as careers.

In the early 1900s his grandfather acquired over 100 acres of land in Washington County, MS--land that has remained in the family for over a century. Presently, as a third generation farmer, he farms this land, in addition to over 600 other acres of crops in the region. As the owner of Morris Farms, he produces corn, rice, soybeans and wheat. He manages some timber and raises sweet potatoes.

Mr. Morris is a member of the Mound Bayou First Baptist Church where he serves as a deacon and chairman of the Board of Trustees, and a member of the sanctuary choir. He is also a member of the Shelby- Bolivar County Credit Union and a past member of the Mound Bayou School District Board of Trustees. As a member of the Bolivar County Farm Bureau and Delta Council of Mississippi, he has an opportunity to communicate the needs of farmers to all political and apiculture leaders. He is the assistant secretary of the National Black Growers Council, an organization that defines its mission as, ``We simply love farming''.

Mr. Morris states that ``We smile knowing the food and fiber we produce feed and clothe the world. We farm on lands handed down from generation to generation. We constantly integrate technology . . . . The organization confers with industry leaders to strengthen their mission of improving the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of Black row crop farmers.''

One of Mr. Morris' greatest concerns is the lack of job opportunities for young people in the community. Sweet potato farming allows him to employ a limited number of persons in planting and harvesting.

In June of 2007 a reporter, Carol Guzy, shadowed Mr. Morris for a day on the farm and he was featured in an article in the Washington Post newspaper which detailed the plight of small Black farmers. On July 12- 14, 2012, he was selected to present on the African American Farmers' Panel at the Urban-Ag Academy conference in Des Moines, IA.

Mr. Morris has been married to Mrs. DeVoyce Morris for 44 years and they are the proud parents of four adult sons, Rogers Benjamin Morris, Jr., Jeremy Kyle, Justin and Bertrand. They are gracious grandparents of three granddaughters, Jordan, Sydnee and Nia Marie and one grandson, Kyle Rogers.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an amazing farmer, Mr. Roger Morris for his dedication in agriculture.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jerry L. Smith, who is a remarkable Small Black Farmer, Businessman and public servant.

Mr. Jerry L. Smith was born in Leflore County, Mississippi on August 29, 1961 to Emma Lee and Elone Smith, Sr. He is the 7th child of twelve.

Mr. Smith attended Amanda Elzy High School. He was reared on a farm with his family. He and his brothers helped his father to farm part- time until their father decided to stop. He and his brothers took over the farming business and started the Smith's Brother Farm in the early 1980's. Later one of Mr. Smith's brothers was killed and one became disabled. He then continued the farming business under the present name Smith's Farm.

Well known for his early start of hard work, Mr. Smith started working as a city landscaper in Sidon, MS when he was still in high school under the leadership of Mr. Alford. His next job was with Leflore County Road Department in 1979 where he is presently employed now as County Road Manager.

Mr. Smith has served in many capacities contributing to this society. He served 10 years on the Leflore County United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Board. He currently serves on the Deacon and Trustee Board at Bell Chapel M.B. Church, on the Leflore County Sheriff Department, a Sidon Board Alderman, Yazoo Levy Board, Sidon Volunteer Fire Chief, and self-employed small farmer. As a farmer he has produced cotton, soybeans, and wheat.

Mr. Smith is married to the former Joyce Marie Thomas and they are the proud parents of Jeremy Smith and Jayla Smith.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a Small Business Farmer Extraordinaire, Mr. Jerry L. Smith, for his dedication to serving others and giving back to his communities by producing crops through his farming business.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of the most intact historic properties associated with the growth and development of the African-American community in the historic Vicksburg and Warren County, Mississippi, area.

Beulah Cemetery was established in 1884 by the Vicksburg Tabernacle #19 Independent Order of Brothers and Sisters of Love and

Charity, who bought the land from Harvey and Lucy Shannon for $1,000. It originally encompassed 52 acres; however, through sales and transfers to the National Park Service and individuals, the entire property is now 14.5 acres. From its establishment in 1884 until the 1940's, the cemetery was the most important cemetery for Vicksburg-area African Americans and remains today a visible landmark for the black community. Blacks were buried in churchyards or on private land until Beulah Cemetery became the main cemetery for Vicksburg-area African Americans.

The African American community has historically constituted about half of Vicksburg's population. Beulah provides significant historical information about this important group of citizens through its gravestones. So few historic resources concerning the area of the African American community remains therefore it's increasing the significance of Beulah Cemetery.

The cemetery is the final resting place for members of the most prominent black families in Vicksburg, including ancestors of almost every native black in the Vicksburg area. The cemetery documents the existence of generations of people for whom otherwise there might be no surviving material available.

Among the prominent people buried at Beulah are the founders of the black funeral homes (Jeffersons/Dillons); G. M. McIntyre, principal of Cherry Street School and school namesake; Robert Banks Marshall, the city's first black postal employee; and William Tillmon Jones, Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, 1889-1906.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Beulah Cemetery as they strive to preserve African American history in the Vicksburg and Warren County, Mississippi, area.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Amy C. Perkins, who is a remarkable teacher and extraordinary public servant.

Ms. Perkins was born in Leflore County, MS on January 31, 1976 to Laura Perkins, a single mother who did not know the importance of education. Education was never really emphasized to her and her six siblings. Ms. Perkins older siblings were often taken out of school by their mother to work in the fields. As a child, Ms. Perkins was not fascinated by learning because it was never a requirement in her household. On the verge of dropping out, she was inspired by her 6th grade teacher. From that point on she knew that she wanted to inspire students the way that her teacher inspired her.

Ms. Perkins attended Amanda Elzy High School in Greenwood, MS. There she earned her high school diploma and moved on to her next level of education. She obtained her first teaching job at Leflore County Elementary School where she worked as an assistant for a 2nd grade teacher for four years. During that time she helped empower young students while working to become a fully certified teacher for the state of Mississippi.

In 2009, she started teaching as a certified teacher at Woolfolk Middle School in Yazoo City, Mississippi.

Even though her job was an hour away, she felt that it was worth the drive. She had an opportunity to teach and inspire. After two years, she got an offer to teach closer to home at Davis Elementary in Greenwood, MS. There she is currently a fourth grade Math Teacher.

With her fun and non-traditional teaching style, she empowers students to enjoy learning. She requests that the lowest achieving students be challenged to improve their state assessment scores. So far, this method has been a success. As an employee of the Greenwood Public School District, Ms. Perkins has received numerous awards. These awards include: Teacher of the Month 2012, a monetary incentive for preparing students for state assessment 2011; Teaching Parent of the Year; and also received an additional monetary incentive for hard work in the 2011-2012 school year. During that year she had only one out of eighty students to score below state standards on a state assessment in mathematics.

Ms. Perkins continues to inspire students both in and out of the classroom. She volunteers as a cheerleading coach for the Davis Elementary Cheer Squad. She strives to instill in them the principles of hard work, dedication, character, and community service. Ms. Perkins has overcome adversity and set a wonderful example for her two children.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a Teacher Extraordinaire, Ms. Amy C. Perkins for her dedication to serving others and giving back to the African American community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Thelma Brown-James, who is a remarkable Unsung Hero.

Mrs. Thelma Brown-James was born on April 29, 1955 in Mound Bayou, Mississippi to the late James and Lora Brown. She is the youngest of three girls and four boys. Mrs. Brown received her education in the Mound Bayou School District at I.T.M. Elementary School and in 1973 graduated from John F. Kennedy High School. Also, in 1973 she married her high school sweetheart, Mr. Jessie James, and they were blessed with six bundles of joy: Teresa, Jessie Jr., Robby, Lashay, Lakesha and the late Lamar.

Mrs. Brown was employed with Baxter's Travenol in Cleveland, Mississippi for 18 years. After leaving Baxter's she furthered her education in the medical field and earned numerous professional certifications. She worked as a nurses' assistant and home health nurse for several medical agencies within the Mississippi Delta.

Mrs. Brown is a faithful member of Fresh Encounter Ministry in Renova, Mississippi where she volunteers with various auxiliaries. Being inspired by God, in January 2013 she opened the Goshen Event Center in Drew, Mississippi to carter to the needs of the children, and offer other activities to enhance the lives of the citizens of Drew and the surrounding areas. Her dedication to the service of others has made her an asset within and outside of her community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an unsung hero, Mrs. Thelma Brown-James, for her dedication to serving others.