Floor Statements

Thank you very much, Ranking Member Price, for yielding this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.J. Res. 85. This is the latest in a string of measures that the Republican majority has brought to the floor in an attempt to cherry-pick what gets funded in the Federal Government, or a piecemeal approach to running government.

Later this weekend, Tropical Storm Karen is expected to hit the gulf coast. Last night, there were strong reports of tornados in Nebraska, and a strong storm is expected in our area. I guess that explains this cynical exercise where FEMA is funded in a mini-CR.

When the majority learned that tourists could not visit our national monuments, they whipped up a mini-CR for the national parks. A storm is coming so their answer is a mini-CR for FEMA. The way the majority does business, there will need to be another West, Texas, explosion before they try to fund CFATS.

We can't fund the government crisis to crisis. FEMA should have its full staff available this week to begin preparations for Tropical Storm Karen. Instead, FEMA is beginning to recall furloughed employees today--a rush to prepare for the storm.

And as we know, restoring FEMA's funding alone is not enough to ensure a successful disaster response. We need the full resources of the Federal Government--from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to the Small Business Administration. We also need the full resources of the Department of Homeland Security.

It's time to stop the games. The events on Capitol Hill yesterday should have served as a wake-up call. The Speaker must allow a vote on a clean CR.

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Federal employees who return to work to help to respond to Tropical

Storm Karen, the forecasted tornados, or any other disaster that strikes should be able to do that work with the peace of mind that their paychecks are coming and that their bills will be paid. All Federal employees deserve that.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Christian organization, The Non-Denomination House of Prayer.

The Non-Denomination House of Prayer was founded in 1948 by Pastor Charity Waffer in the historical city of Mound Bayou, Mississippi. Pastor Waffer was the first female pastor in the Mississippi Delta. As a pastoral pioneer she was instrumental in opening doors for women and youths through various church auxiliaries and functions. Her leadership guided many to various freedoms and liberties.

The current overseer is Dr. Earnestine Flowers which over sees other churches in Mississippi with the communities of Duncan, Batesville, Sardis, Oxford and in Chicago, Illinois. The Non-Denomination House of Payer in the City of Mound Bayou current ministerial leaders are Pastor Willie Joe Flowers, Assistant Pastor Carl Henry, and Minister Martha Sanders. They have increased the church membership and have embarked on renovating and expanding their facilities in order to continue to be a blessing to its members,

community, and surrounding communities by being able to be a place of refuge to those who are hungry physically and spiritually and by offering comprehensive programs to meet the needs of others.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Non- Denomination House of Prayer for their dedication in being a corner stone in the Mound Bayou Community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Cadet Colonel Seggie Ray McClendon III, who is Jackson Public Schools' JROTC Cadet of the Year for 2013. The Wingfield High School senior had earned many JROTC and school awards and has received countless other awards on the local and state level. Cadet McClendon serves as Mr. Wingfield, Mr. JROTC, and as the Cadet Battalion Commander for the Falcon Battalion.

Cadet McClendon has been accepted to attend several colleges and universities in Mississippi, including Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, Mississippi State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Hinds Community College, and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. His military goal is to receive an active duty commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army.

Cadet McClendon competed for this honor against the top cadets from each of the seven JPS high schools. The Cadet of the Year candidates were required to appear before an eight-person selection panel of District administrator, military officials, and business leaders.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Cadet Colonel Seggie Ray McClendon III.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a pillar of the community, the King Solomon Baptist Church. King Solomon has served as a catalyst for the civil rights movement of Warren County.

The Church was built by former slaves in 1860, it boasted nearly a thousand members in the 1940's. Its Pastors have been leaders in the State Baptist Convention as well as the National Baptist Convention.

King Solomon is an inner-city ministry located in the heart of downtown Vicksburg. The pervasive influence of the church has shaped the social fabric of central and southwest Mississippi and impacted the lives of thousands of its residents. The church serves the Vicksburg/ Warren County community through its nursing home, prison, outreach, multi-media and food ministries. Church services are broadcast across Central Mississippi, Western Louisiana, Southwestern Arkansas and throughout the Mississippi Delta.

King Solomon Baptist Church dedicates the fourth weekend in April of each year to Family Empowerment Weekend (FEW). FEW is designed to bring awareness of the Biblical Family as the central building block of the community, state and nation.

King Solomon is in the final stages of completing a second location at 180 Oak Ridge Road where the Word will continue to be taught and preached.

The members and the pastor acknowledge that they exist for the glory of God and to exalt Christ in a fallen world. The ministry is centered on Salvation, Reaching the unadulterated Word of God, Love, Unity and Living an Obedient Life that exemplifies Jesus Christ. The Church motto is, ``Christ First, Christ Only, Christ Always''.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the King Solomon Baptist Church for its rich heritage in Southwest Mississippi, dedication to serving others and giving back to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Shanice Wimsatt. a dedicated student, who is making a difference in her community.

Shanice Wimsatt, was born in Chicago, IL on October 9, 1994. For about six years she grew up in an apartment in Chicago with her mother, Vivian Mitchell, her father, James Wimsatt and two older brothers, Jermaine and Andre Mitchell.

At about the age of six, they moved to Yazoo City, MS. She quickly began to excel in her studies. By doing so well, she was invited to be in a high performance program called DIG. But, upon entering into the fourth grade, DIG offered her a chance to skip a grade or two. This was one of the first most important decisions she faced and she was not able to accept the offer, because by then her mother had started moving to Pickens, MS where she currently lives.

Life in Holmes county has taught her many things. Her strengths and decisions have been tested and challenged. She quickly learned that she was in poverty and did not like it at all. She set out to change or at least help change her community.

She first started an all girls group, during a critical pregnancy period and called it I.Y.G. (Independent Young Girls). Her goal was to empower the young ladies at her school by showing them that they have supporters. Next, she and a friend teamed up and created Teens on a Mission. This was created to provide more jobs for the teens in the area and to show the world that teenagers can make a difference, being that, some were voted least likely to succeed.

She is now making a great difference in her community and for herself.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a pillar of the community, the Mount Zion Baptist Church.

The Mount Zion Baptist Church was founded in 1899 in Cary, MS. The Church has had several great leaders: Rev. Threadgill, Rev. James Merrill and Rev. Jack Wilson to name a few.

In the 60's the church elected Rev. C.B. Smith. Rev. Smith was a visionary leader and believed in pushing the church forward. In 1992 Rev Smith led the Church into a new edifice. Rev. Smith nurtured the church through Christian education. Rev Smith was the longest serving Pastor.

After Rev. C.B. Smith's tenure the congregation elected Rev. Henry Wilson who served the church faithfully until his health began to fail. Under his leadership the church continued to labor in the ministry.

In 2009 the church elected Dr. Peter Jackson and he served for nearly three years before he resigned.

After much prayer the church elected Rev. Travis J. Gully to serve as the Pastor. He began to preach and teach the word of God and things began to change. The church has recently decided to build the C.B. Smith Family Life Center. The church has begun to press forward in the new season. Rev. Gully's goal is to have the church to do ministry in a dynamic way.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Mount Zion Baptist Church as they celebrate 114 years of standing firmly on the word of God.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a pillar of the community, the King Solomon M.B. Church. King Solomon served as a permanent staple in Yazoo City, Mississippi

King Solomon M.B. Church was established when nine members of Holy Green Missionary Church decided to revolutionize and become an independent embodiment of Christians. In October of 1903 the church was organized under the leadership of Rev. Kyzer, Rev. G.P. Green and Rev. A.C. Carter in the home of Sister Mollie Carey. Then Sister Mahalia Turner named the church King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church.

The first service was held under a brush arbor due to lack of proper facilities under the direction of Rev. A.C. Carter. As the fall season grew colder services were held at the home of Sister Vickie Love. Under the leadership of Rev. A.C. Carter, membership continued to grow therefore needing a larger and more appropriate facility. Members appointed a group to form the building committee, who arranged to build a frame structure in the Lintonia subdivision which is today's current location, 1409 Calhoun Avenue. On May 12, 190*, the church was built after long period of hard work and dedication.

In 1948, Rev. Hammond was elected as pastor. During this time the church divided and the New King Solomon was organized. The church suffered greatly during this upheaval. It was not until Rev. R.S. Scott was elected as pastor at King Solomon in 1948 that the church began to rejuvenate, unify and prosper once more. Rev. Scott served the church with compassion and strong conviction.

In 1960, Rev. G.H. Hankins was elected and under his leadership the church was remodeled. He later resigned in October of 1987 after twenty-seven years of faithful service.

Rev. Benjamin Hall Jr. was elected in 1989 and continues to serve in this capacity today. In 1997, grounds were broken to begin the building of the facility that they now occupy. The reconstructed annex was completed, dedicated and renamed the ``Waymon C. Crump Education Complex''.

Members of King Solomon pride themselves with the energy they put into the youth of the church. Their motto is ``We are Family,'' and they promote it not only in the church family but the community through their many ministries.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the King Solomon Missionary Baptist Church as they strive to be the ``beacon on the hill'' that guides others to the joy of serving God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable student, Ms. Terriona Cowan, who was born in Jackson, Mississippi, on July 11, 1993. She is the daughter of Mr. Reginald and Tianna Bennett. She is a student at Jackson State University, majoring in Chemistry Pre-Medicine. As an anbutious chemistry student, majority of her time is spent in class or doing biochemical research. She enjoys being a research scholar in her field of study and has many long term goals to enhance it.

Aside from using her intellectual gift, she is also committed to the community where she believes service is the way to build the world. She is a dedicated volunteer at Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital. Tending to kids with sickness is her motivation throughout the day. On her free time, she often goes to the reservoir and meditates on the blessings that God has yet to cease in her life.

After accepting Christ at a young age at Pleasant Grove M. B. Church in Bentonia, Mississippi she understands the importance of giving God credit for the things that he has done. In the future, she looks forward to being a positive role model to others that want to make the world a more peaceful and positive place.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Terriona Cowan.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable student, Ms. Sabrina D. Caldwell, a Kosciusko High School Senior who is the Oprah Winfrey Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year and has assumed the role of 2013 Youth of the Year for

the state of Mississippi by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Mississippi. She was named state runner-up earlier this year and assumed the role after the current winner was unable to fulfill his duties as Mississippi's Youth of the Year.

In addition to winning the title, Ms. Caldwell will also receive scholarship money from the Mississippi Area Council as well as the Tupperware Corporation. She was selected among 18 organizations across Mississippi for her sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the community.

Being named the 2013 State Youth of the Year is one of the highest honor a Boys and Girls Club member can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's family, school, community and her Boys and Girls Club, as well as personal challenges and obstacles that are overcome. She is the daughter of Roschella and Billy Caldwell.

Ms. Caldwell has maintained a 3.0 grade point average at Kosciusko High School. Her awards include: Advanced On Biology I, Algebra I and English II. She is the secretary for the Mayor's Youth Council, a hospice volunteer for Sta-Home, a member of the Keystone and the Leadership Club at the Oprah Winfrey Boys and Girls Club and a member of the Kosciusko High School Beta Club.

She is also currently enlisted in United States National Guard. Ms. Caldwell plans to attend Meridian Community College to major in physical therapy and later go on to a major university to further her education.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Sabrina D. Caldwell.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Chelsea Monaye Martin, a dedicated student, who is making a difference in her community.

Ms. Chelsea Monaye Martin was born on July 31, 1995 to the parents of Barbara Murray and David Martin. She is 17 years old and currently in the 12th grade attending Crystal Springs High School. Her hobbies are playing soccer, reading, singing, and helping others.

Chelsea has been in Girl Scouts for 13 years and has completed over 500 hours of Community Service. Some of her community services consist of volunteering at a number of places such as: Sims House, Stew Pot, Mississippi Department of Human Services and Soup for Elderly and as a Library Assistant.

Chelsea's extracurricular activities include: Students Against Destructive Decisions, Mu Alpha Theta, Lady Tigers Soccer Team, My Sister's Keeper, JROTC and Girl Scouts.

Chelsea's many achievements include: United States National Student Council Award, Girl Scout Silver Award, Girl Scout Gold Award, Highest Average Health Education, Principal's Honor Roll and Mississippi American Legion Auxiliary 2012 Magnolia Girls State.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a talented student, Ms. Chelsea Monaye Martin, for her zeal in actively making a difference in her community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a pillar of the community, Brushy Creek Church.

Brother Edward Spencer was the founder of Brushy Creek Church. He was born in Virginia in 1819 and was brought to Mississippi by the slave traders at the age of 9. He professed religion in 1849 but remained in the white Baptist Church until 1869 as a free man.

Brother Spencer was appointed deacon by the white Baptist Church and decided that he needed to seek shelter for his own race. So with the assistance of others Brother Spencer succeeded in building a church approximately 30 x 40. Not being satisfied with this he then organized a Sunday school and afterwards a public school and later he added another 10 making the church 30 ft. x 50 ft.

Brother Edward Spencer was the father of 14 children, often having to be away from his family traveling back and forth to church. In his old age, trying to return home about 7:00 p.m., he fell a victim to death on the roadside and was found on a Tuesday morning.

His funeral was attended by his wife, who was approximately 90 yrs. of age, 2 surviving children, Pastor R. B. Jordan and the mothers of Brushy Creek Church. He was buried on land he had purchased more than 31 years before.

The church was repaired under the administration of Rev. R. B. Jordan of Jackson MS. He made the walls higher and made room for the pulpit and he added a deacon board to the church: Bro. L. A. Catching, Bro. V. L. Harper and Bro. Joe Murry.

The Brushy Creek Missionary Baptist Church has its roots in the Hopewell Baptist Church from which development of a separate church began in 1853, with the establishment of a separate room for the black members of the congregation.

In 1866 the black members of Hopewell Baptist Church voted to hold separate services every third Sunday and called Bro. Theophilus Green, ``a white man'' to serve as pastor. The final break with the Hopewell Baptist Church came in October 1869 when Brushy Creek Church was organized with 50 charter members.

In March of 1877, the Sunday School Roll had record that there were 26 members: Fifteen males and eleven women including the superintendent, Bro. Edward Spencer Sr., the Secretary, Bro. Calvin Spencer and the Treasurer, Bro. George Green.

The original church was actually at Brush Harbor where members met on land owned by Mr. Retinor who eventually deeded the land to the church. The first church structure was a log building. Then a lumber building finished in 1902 and a stone building rebuilt in 1951.

Rev. Hugh C. White of Raymond, MS, who became pastor in February 1930 in the year 1931 was paid as low as $2.50 per month and as high as $31.67 per month but received plenty of chickens, potatoes, greens, and eggs as a partial payment.

Rev. Hugh White along with the board elected a grievance committee and a grave section. In reading the records Rev. White took in many candidates for baptism and baptized them in the creek in back of Reno's Store. Rev. White gave his resignation in March 1934 and said his last sermon would be the 3rd Sunday in December 1934.

Rev. E. G. Roberson was motioned in April 1935 to serve as tentative pastor of Brushy Creek until the year of 1935 was out and on February 15, 1936 became the permanent pastor and the members voted to move the church to the top of the hill during the year of 1936.

The church records reflect Rev. S. M. Dukes of Jackson, MS was elected pastor of Brushy Creek Baptist Church in 1952. Under his leadership, Bro. Joe Haley was added to the deacon board.

He served as pastor for a number of years, after which the Rev. Nick C. Bradley of Jackson, MS. Under his leadership the church was repaired by building a bell tower approximately 30 high.

Following his administration, Rev. A. Banks of Jackson, MS was elected pastor of Brushy Creek and served one year. No records were found in regards to his accomplishments.

Records reflect that Rev. Willie H. Hines was the next pastor who was elected and served for 26 years, under his leadership many souls were bought to Christ and many accomplishments were made. The building addition added was 16 x 40. Rev. Hines later moved to Hattiesburg where he also had a church.

Brushy Creek Baptist Church elected Rev. Hugh Lewis to serve as associate pastor for the remainder of the year. Rev. Lewis then became Brushy Creek's pastor and served for over 20 years. Under his leadership he added more deacons and made many accomplishments such as adding a fellowship hall, hot water heater, reroofing the church, installing an inside baptism pool, the concrete was poured in front of the fellowship hall, water fountains, carpet, P.A. System, new organ, new ladies room at the front entrance, new pulpit, floors partially replaced, new light fixtures, a bus was purchased and later sold for $500.00.

Rev. Hugh Lewis gave his resignation in December 2003 and recommended that Rev. Gregory D. Brown be over the pulpit until it was decided who the next pastor would be.

Rev. Gregory D. Brown was nominated Pastor of Brushy Creek Church and preached his first sermon as pastor in December 21, 2003. Rev Brown was installed as pastor February 8, 2004.

Rev. Brown previously served as Moderator of Brushy Creek New Hope Association. The membership has grown and he restored services back to full time with services starting at 9:00 a.m. for Sunday school, and morning worship starting at 10:30 every Sunday. Congressman Bennie Thompson Foundation donated two laptops to the church. The congregation both, children & adults, have benefited from the donation. Congressman Thompson's Foundation was also very instrumental in the donation of 5 acres of land that was acquired August 27, 2010 for church use only from Sis. Mary Jane Catchings, who was once a member of Brushy Creek Church.

Rev. Brown has served as our pastor for 9 years and still serves faithfully. On June 16, 2013 we will be celebrating 144 years of the church's anniversary and the funds raised will go toward our dream of building a new church.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Brushy Creek Church as they strive to be the foundation for others to find the joy of serving God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a pillar of the community, Pratt Memorial United Methodist Church.

Pratt Memorial United Methodist Church was founded as a Mission Charge and was organized under the ministry of Reverend Henry Henderson on July 9, 1897. It was housed in a small school building and was called the West Jackson Methodist Episcopal Church. The Reverend J. D. Brooks, who succeeded Reverend Henderson in 1898, built the first parsonage during his two years as a pastor.

An effort to build the first church was made by Reverend E. P. Chatman. Although his plan was not completed, he did succeed in the construction to the extent that services could be held. Reverend Chatman served two years and was succeeded by Reverend I. L. Pratt. Unfortunately both the church and the parsonage burned. But by faith and sacrifice, the pastor and the faithful members built the first sanctuary, naming it in honor of Reverend Pratt. He served one year and was followed by Reverend Hiram Mae who was pastor for only six months.

Following Reverend Mae, the Conference sent Reverend W. L. Marshall to shepherd the congregation. He succeeded in building the second parsonage but resigned after spending a year and a half at Prat Pratt's seventh pastor, Reverend W. A. Oates, came from Yazoo City, Mississippi and spent two and a half fruitful years paying off many of the church's debts while also ministering to the needs of his people. The Reverends Garrett Tate, Simpson Joshua, Henry Woods, M. T. J. Howard and N. Ross, all followed in succession as pastors of Pratt. Each served one year and each contributed much to the spiritual growth of the loyal and faithful membership.

Reverend Prentiss Taylor, the fourteenth pastor, stimulated growth and hope. Reverend Taylor's successor, Reverend E. A. J. Isabel, helped make his dream a reality when he ushered in a new day for membership and under Reverend Isabel, Pratt was taken off the circuit and became a stationed charge. Later a beautiful brick veneer edifice was built and the name was changed from Pratt's Chapel to Pratt Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church.

Reverend Isabel broke all previous records of service to the church with a tenure that spanned ten years. He was affectionately called the ``great builder'' and was succeeded by Reverend A. B. Keeling. His business acumen as well as his abilities as a pastor helped him meet the demands of the church. Reverend Keeling took a great interest in the youth of the church, providing opportunities for their talents, to develop leadership qualities and to gain experience through attendance at youth meetings and conferences. Through his work developing young church members, Pratt took its place among the top churches in the conference, attracting area-wide attention in both ministerial and lay circles. Reverend J. C. Hibbler continued the work among the youth and both Reverend Hibbler and his successor, Reverend S. G. Roberts, served three years respectively. Each kept the faith and did much to improve the church grounds and physical structure.

Reverend L. E. Johnson was sent to fill the vacancy created by the departure of Reverend Roberts. A powerful minister and good fundraiser, Reverend Johnson reduced the church debt during his four-year tenure. The youth activities were expanded, the membership grew rapidly and other areas of the church were improved Reverend Johnson was elevated to District Superintendent of the Jackson District at the end of his tenure. Through the inspiration of Reverend W. H. Blackman, Reverend Johnson's successor, there was an increase in membership. The three- year stay of Reverend Blackman was due to the call of the Conference for him to become the Executive Secretary of Christian Education of the Mississippi Conference. He was succeeded by Reverend C. P. Payne.

Under Reverend Payne's guidance, the balance of the church's indebtedness was paid off and the mortgage was burned on October 1, 1944. Dr. Clovis Chappell, pastor of Galloway Memorial Methodist Church of Jackson, delivered the dedication sermon. Pratt become the third- ranked among the top churches in the Mississippi Conference attracting area-wide attention.

Next was Reverend Frank P. Leonard. In spite of a bright outlook for the congregation and good leadership of its pastor, the physical structure collapsed in March, 1953, but the pastor and congregation rebuilt and the new church opening was held March 14, 1954. The beautiful edifice, which now stands, is a tribute to Reverend Leonard and his congregation. The $43,000 debt was reduced to $23,000 by the time the building was completed and Reverend Leonard became District Superintendent the following year.

In 1956, Reverend M. T. J. Howard, Jr. was assigned to Pratt. The parsonage was rebuilt and completely furnished.

Reverend G. W. Williams succeeded Reverend Howard in 1958.

Reverend A. L Holland succeeded Reverend Williams but died at the helm after only six months of service. Reverend C. P. Payne, the District Superintendent, assisted in completing the year's work. In 1963 Reverend Allen Johnson was sent to Pratt. Like his father, Reverend L. E. Johnson, Reverend Johnson was a good fundraiser as well as an organizer. An inspirational choir, a youth choir and a children's choir were all organized. Funds were raised to pay off the church and parsonage indebtedness. Reverend Johnson also became distinguished as a fearless and courageous leader in the Civil Rights Movement of the sixties, which broke down racial barriers.

When Reverend Sydney L. Webb appeared on the scene in 1967, the congregation concluded that Pratt must rise to the new challenge in the age of space. As a first step, they envisioned a much needed renovation and building program. With conference and local financial obligations completed for the conference year, the congregation decided to launch a 66th Anniversary program to celebrate as well as to raise funds for the building program. The 66th Anniversary was held June 2, 1968. In June 1969, Reverend Webb was appointed by the Conference to head the Jackson District.

Reverend C. E. Applebeny advanced plans initiated by Reverend Webb, the first pastor to serve the church after it became known as Pratt Memorial United Methodist Church. This was due to the union of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church. Reverend Appleberry served two faithful years.

Reverend C. P. Payne, who became the only pastor to serve Pratt Memorial on more than one occasion, succeeded Reverend Appleberry. After a two-year period, Reverend Coleman Turner succeeded Reverend Payne. Under Reverend Turner's supervision, the church took on a new life, the choir took on a new look, and the young people became more active in all phases of church life. The financial affairs of the church were ordered and funds were raised to begin the second phase of the building program. The repair of the church steeple was also made. The United Methodist Women were reorganized under Reverend Turner's administration and the women of the church began serving as officers, a choice not open to them before.

Following Reverend Turner's retirement after 11 years of service, the 1984 June Annual Conference appointed Reverend Noah Lee Moore to Pratt. As he took over the reins, Reverend Moore faced an uncertain church renovation and remodeling program, which had come to a halt. Being a dynamic young minister with deep spiritual convictions, he provided the leadership for the hour. In less than a year and a half; the church parsonage was renovated, upgraded and painted, followed by the remodeling and renovation of the entire church. During the same time span, the United Methodist Men's organization was revived and revitalized. The youth and children of the church became organized and their activities added much to the life of the church. But perhaps the most historical accomplishment during this period was the resolving of the divisible issue of two units of United Methodist Women in the church. One all-inclusive unit was formed and developed in keeping with the laws of the United Methodist Church. With the anticipated strengthening of all areas of the church so as to implement the ministry it espouses, the securing of a loan from the general church to take over the mortgage incurred for the building program was implemented under the leadership banner of Reverend Moore.

Reverend Deborah Mingo Palmer, Pratt Memorial's first female pastor, succeeded Reverend Noah Moore in June 1993. Her ability to inspire and teach the word of God through illustrative sermons sparked increases in Sunday School and worship services' attendance. Her talent for planning and presenting special programs and services made the worship experience unique, colorful and as always--spiritually uplifting. The high energy and innovative ideas of the pastor motivated the membership to revitalize ministries that already had great potential, such as communication, children, youth and young adult ministries. Wonderful Wednesday, Sensational Saturday, The Singles, Orientation Sunday School Class were new ones for Pratt.

Another first for Pratt Memorial United Methodist Church was the addition of three Associate Pastors to the personnel roster; Reverend Glenda Funchess, Reverend Carl Palmer, Jr. (the pastor's spouse) and Reverend Eliza Forbes. The Associate Ministers were involved in worship services and other junctions to give ministerial support for the pastor.

In Reverend Palmer's fourth year span of leadership, the church parsonage was renovated to accommodate a three-room office and small group meeting space. The church steeple was repaired, two additional lots were purchased and the parking lot was paved and lined.

Reverend John L. Cornelius was appointed the thirty-third pastor at the June 1997 and the church purchased the home next to the church parsonage. This was the beginning of the Pratt Memorial UMC Resource Center for computer training and after school tutorial. During Reverend Cornelius' term, the Administrative Council also approved the purchase of a computer and software to keep finances electronically.

Rev. Selber M. McShepard was appointed the thirty-fourth pastor of Pratt at the June 2005. With a strong spirit of ministry Pratt connected with eight other West Jackson Churches in The Cluster. The Cluster churches worked on outreach ministry in the district, as well as exchanging pastors one Sunday out of the year. Rev. McShepard encouraged the youth of the church to become active through attendance, in summer camps and connectional ministry meetings. She also worked with the Building and Redevelopment Committee of the church toward the planning of Pratt's first Family Life Center.

Rev. Brenda McCaskill was appointed the thirty-fifth pastor of Pratt at the June 2010 Mississippi Conference. She immediately began to work toward improving leadership in the church by conducting monthly Leadership Training Classes. She focused on ministering to young adults in the church and community by helping to establish a Sunday School class and other social activities. Rev. McCaskill was instrumental in establishing a toll free Prayer Line Monday through Friday to pray for their concerns. Her Outreach Ministry included visiting local prisons and programs like the ``Gospel and Youth Explosion'' held in the community.

In June of 2013, Rev. DeMario F. Benson, Sr. was appointed the thirty-six pastor of Pratt. He has also focused on improving leadership at Pratt and youth and young adult involvement within the church. He has also been instrumental in initiating a Youth Ministry, Singles Ministry, and Marriage Ministry while at Pratt. We trust that under his leadership, we can keep the faith and adhere to those same principles, which started Pratt on this journey one hundred sixteen years ago.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Pratt Memorial United Methodist Church as they strive to be the guide for others to find the joy of serving God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Central United Methodist Church Jackson, Mississippi. Central United Methodist Church is a church full of history and heritage spanning almost 150 years.

When the Mississippi Mission Conference convened at Wesley Chapel in New Orleans from December 19-25, 1865, it was composed, for the most part, of Negroes, who sought affiliation with the ``Old Church.'' Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas combined the Mission Conference. The Jackson Mission grew out of the Conference in 1866. Miles Proctor shepherded the fledgling mission until later in the year when Moses Adams and Thomas Anderson were appointed the pastors. At the time of its beginning, the Jackson Mission is said to have been located in the area of Millsaps College.

Over the next ten years, the mission grew. In 1876, it established a church at the corner

of Grayson, now Lamar and Fortification Streets.

Several years later, in January 1890, the Annual Conference adopted a resolution that granted the Board of Church Extensions permission to use eighteen hundred dollars realized from the sale of land to buy another lot and to build a new church. Augustus M. Trotter, pastor of the church, presented the resolution.

On June 25, 1890, December Sharp sold the land on which the church now stands to the Board of Trustees, headed by William Young. On May 16, 1891, a second deed was acquired for land brought from M.F. Chiles for seventy-five dollars. In 1892, the first building to house Central Methodist Episcopal was completed. The structure was razed in March 1965, and a new edifice was consecrated in June 1966.

Throughout the years, Central has undergone a number of changes. In 1921, the Mississippi Annual Conference appointed the first Bishop of African descent, Robert E. Jones. That year, Central hosted the first Annual Conference over which Bishop Jones presided in the state.

At the result of two mergers, the church has changed names twice. In 1939, church became Central Methodist, in the Central Jurisdiction. In 1968, after the union of the Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren, church became Century of Methodism in Jackson. In 1997, Central acquired the Marion-Jones Branch of the YWCA to use as its Family Life Center. Today it houses Central's Scouting Ministry, Food and Clothing Distribution and Summer Enrichment Programs.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Central United Methodist Church.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a pillar of the community, Greater Damascus Church of Christ (Holiness)

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Farish Street Baptist Church. Organized in 1893, Farish Street Baptist Church has been blessed by the vitality, imagination, and inspiration of its leadership.

The Reverend Elbert B. Topp served as pastor of Mt. Helm Baptist Church from 1888-1893, when, according to Patrick Thompson in his book History of Negro Baptists in Mississippi, ``he (Topp) with 210 members came out and organized what is now known as the Farish Street Baptist Church.'' The newly formed church held worship services in the Congregational Church, which was then located at the corner of Capitol and Lamar Streets. White Jacksonians would line the bridge to hear the choir sing, giving generously to the collections. Soon the infant congregation had enough money to purchase the lot at the corner of Farish and Church Streets. It was here that the newly organized congregation built the first place of worship--a frame structure. Lightning destroyed this building and it was replaced by a two-story frame structure. The second story was reserved for worship, with all other activities, including funerals, taking place on the first level. A fire, which began on Oakley Street and spread, destroyed the second building. Determined to minimize this threat in the future, in 1909, Reverend Topp led the membership in constructing a brick building. He pastured Farish Street Baptist Church until 1916.

Reverend Topp died on October 3, 1925. The October 9 edition of the Advance Dispatch carried a front page announcement of his death. Of Topp, Patrick Thompson wrote, ``no member of the convention and state is more conspicuous and popular. Reverend Topp is good natured and full of life. True to his fellow preachers and has but few equals as a gospel minister.''

Reverend E. L. Twine, an Alcorn College graduate and teacher of mathematics, was called to serve the Church in 1916, and for three years, he labored faithfully. During that brief tenure, he encouraged the congregation to purchase new pews and to make a substantial payment on the church mortgage, which had been left from previous years. His pastorate was to be the shortest during the Church's first 100 years of existence. Because of his stately nature, Reverend Twine would be known by his contemporaries as the ``Black Prince of Mississippi.''

In November 1919, the Church extended the call to Reverend Chester Arthur Greer. Reverend Greer had pastored and taught school in Arkansas and Mississippi, and at the time he was called to Farish Street Baptist Church, he was serving as pastor of Second Baptist Church in Oxford, Mississippi. He served as pastor of Farish Street Baptist Church until November 1927. During those eight years, the mortgage was paid in full; the bell tower was completed; an annex was built onto the 1909 structure; a parsonage was bought; an old note of $500.00 on Dr. Topp's salary, held by Brother C. C. Sims against the Church was redeemed; 40,000 bricks were bought and placed on the church grounds to be used in the construction of a new church facility; plans and specifications with an architect's rendering had been presented in the church conference on March 4, 1926, and had been approved without one dissenting vote; several hundred dollars were raised and negotiations for a loan of $20,000 were initiated. However, in November 1927, just a little more than a year after Dr. Greer had presented those plans to the church, he resigned and moved to Fort Worth, Texas, to accept the pastorate of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church.

Reverend W. L. Varnado assumed the pastorate of Farish Street Baptist Church in April 1928. Perhaps Reverend Varnado will be remembered best as the only person to pastor Jackson's three historic black congregations--Mt. Helm, College Hill and Farish Street Baptist Churches. During his term of service, the membership increased and two rooms were added to the parsonage. Reverend Varnado was a great churchman. It was during his pastorate that a young Jackson State College student from the Class of 1927 was ordained to the gospel ministry. His name was Joseph Harrison Jackson. Who would have envisioned in 1927 that Reverend Varnado was ordaining to the work of the gospel ministry the future leader of six million black Baptists? Dr. Varnado resigned in October 1934 to accept a pastorate in Jackson, Tennessee.

Without fanfare, the man who had served diligently as the third pastor returned in January 1935, to begin his second pastorate. Reverend Chester A. Greer began a building program, which resulted in the replacement of the forty year old structure with a modern building, which still serves the congregation today. The ground-breaking ceremony was a joyous occasion. Mrs. Lillie Bentley and Mr. Turner M. Patterson, two of the original 210 members to leave Mt. Helm Baptist Church in 1893, participated in breaking ground for the new facility. Dr. Jacob L. Reddix, President of Jackson State College, Chairman of the Trustee Board of Farish Street Baptist Church, gave invaluable advice during the construction phase. At the laying of the corner stone, Jackson State College Band performed to the delight of the congregation. Dedication services for the newly constructed church building were held during the week of March 5-12, 1950. A renewed people joined hands with their sisters and brothers to praise Him Who is the great Builder and without Whom they that build, build in vain.

After serving for twenty-three years during his second pastorate, Reverend Greer was successful in retiring the debt and burning the mortgage before his victorious and faithful members. With his health on the decline, Reverend Greer decided to retire from the pulpit in March 1958. Reverend Greer was named ``Pastor Emeritus'' of the Church. Three decades of service to a great people had come to an end. The assistant pastor, Reverend G. W. Williams, supplied the pulpit until a successor was elected. Reverend Greer died on August 13, 1962.

During the summer of 1958, a young seminary teacher, Reverend S. Leon Whitney, came to Jackson to teach at the Mississippi Baptist Seminary. He was invited to preach to the congregation at Farish Street Baptist Church. Impressed with his preaching, on September 4, 1958, the congregation instructed the Pulpit Committee, chaired by Brother M. M. Hubert, to interview Reverend Whitney. On September 22, 1958, the Pulpit Committee made its recommendation to the Church. A meeting to vote on extending a call was set for the third Sunday in October. However, Brother D. T. Mason offered a motion that the rules be suspended and that Reverend Whitney be elected pastor that night. The motion carried and the church extended the call to pastor to Reverend Whitney. Thus began a term of service that lasted ten years.

Unlike his predecessors, Reverend Whitney did not inherit the financial debts of former years. He found a congregation ready for new leadership. Reverend Whitney served wisely and made many improvements in the order of service. Moreover, he rejuvenated the spirit of the Church and increased the membership. He encouraged the establishment of a centralized treasury. The baptistry was elevated, and the building was renovated and redecorated. This youthful, energetic preacher accepted the challenge and embarked upon an aggressive ministry of evangelism, stewardship and social concerns. It was these social concerns--the freedom rides, the sit-ins, the protest marches and the mass meetings--that helped shape the ministry of this congregation during the turbulent sixties. Yet, despite ten years of fruitful, positive and constructive leadership in the church and community, Reverend Whitney resigned the pastorate of Farish Street Baptist Church in May 1968, to accept the pastorate of New Prospect Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.

In June 1968, Reverend Hickman M. Johnson, Chaplain of Tougaloo College, was invited to serve as interim minister. On July 22, 1968, the church voted to call Reverend Johnson and on August 4, 1968, he preached his first sermon as pastor. On December 1, 1968, Reverend Johnson was installed as the sixth pastor of Farish Street Baptist Church. Reverend Johnson brought to the Church a strong capacity for effective organization. He recommended that the Church become incorporated and on November 13, 1969, a Charter of Incorporation was issued to Farish Street Baptist Church by the State of Mississippi. He labored for a continuous and consistent building program and established the necessary framework for the most diversified religious education and service-oriented programs in the Church's history. A 1969 church brochure described the proposed building addition as being ``of contemporary design, functional, attractive and air-conditioned, with ample parking . . . the first floor includes: administrative complex-- church office, pastor's study; fellowship-assembly hall, game room, dining room, kitchen; the second floor includes: education-nursery, ten large multi-purpose classrooms.'' While improvements were to be made on the 1969 model, nevertheless, the functions on which this model were based remain unchanged: a) education, b) fellowship, and c) administration.

At the 1976 Annual Meeting, the Building Committee recommended that the Church authorize its officers to secure a commitment for

permanent financing in the amount of $225,000. On February 10, 1976, a contract was signed with Charles Craig, project architect, to design and provide a set of working drawings. Invitations to Bid were tendered and proposals received from various contractors were tabulated and groundbreaking ceremonies for the new building were timed to coincide with the celebration of the Church's 83rd Anniversary. One year later, in May 1977, the Educational Building was dedicated. This would be the first of several major improvements to the physical property completed during the Johnson's years. Dr. Johnson is an administrator with great spirit; an historian who is cognizant of the importance of a people's heritage; a businessman with a vision. He is a theologian and a teacher, who strives daily to build an even stronger congregation at Farish Street Baptist Church--a congregation committed to serve this community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Farish Street Baptist Church.