Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Mr. Warren Small, Jr. Mr. Small has shown what can be done through hard work and lofty goals.

Mr. Small, a resident of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, was born on July 17, 1934, to Warren and Betty Small in Winona, Mississippi. He graduated from Kilmichael High School in 1953. After high school, he enlisted in the United States Army in 1955 where he served until 1958. He returned to the Army for one additional year in 1961. After serving in the Army twice, he attended Mississippi Valley State University where he earned a Bachelor's degree in 1962.

In 1968, Mr. Small obtained a Masters in Mathematics from Colorado College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. From 1960 to 1993, Mr. Small taught mathematics at different levels throughout the Sharkey County, Mississippi, School System. In 1973, Mr. Small joined the Army National Guard and served until 1994 when he retired.

In 1961, he married the late Joyce Love Small and to that union they had two children, Warren III and Toyce Michelle. He joined Mount Lula Missionary Baptist Church upon his move to Rolling Fork, Mississippi, in the early 1960s. There, he actively serves on the deacon board. Since 1993, he has held the Veteran Service Officer position for the counties of Sharkey and Issaquena. He is also employed with the Issaquena County Correctional Facility in Mayersville, Mississippi, as a Life Skills and Pre-Release Counselor.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an honorable veteran, Mr. Warren Small, Jr., for his dedication and service to our great country as well as his contributions to the Sharkey County, Mississippi, community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable disabled veteran, Mr. Theodore McCurtis, who was born September 19, 1934, in Hinds County, Edwards, Mississippi. He was the fourth of eight children born to the late Herman and Mae Bell Lloyd McCurtis. Mr. McCurtis' early years of education began at Edwards Elementary School and continued on to Southern Christian Institute High School in Edwards, Mississippi. From there, he volunteered to go to the United States Air Force while in the 12th grade.

Mr. McCurtis entered the United States Air Force on October 22, 1952, where he served in the Korean War. He received basic training at Parks Air Force Base in Pleasanton, California.

Mr. McCurtis served at Castle Air Force Base in Merced, California, and was attached to a Strategic Air Command. He was later sent to England where he served in the Military Police and embarked on missions to set up radar around the world. After dutiful service, he became disabled and lost the use of both his hands.

Mr. McCurtis is a member of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Edwards, Mississippi, where he serves as a dedicated Trustee. His membership at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church began during childhood under the leadership of his grandfather, Sam Butler, who was the second minister of Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.

Mr. McCurtis is happily married to his wife of 45 years, Mrs. Christine E. McCurtis. They have four children: Theodore, Jr., Martin Lloyd, Andrea Denise, and Sharon Denise McCurtis.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Theodore McCurtis for his honorable service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable and honorable man, Mr. Calvin Dickerson. Mr. Dickerson has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to serve. He is currently a 56-year-old resident of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, where he volunteers countless hours to the Mississippi Christian Family Services.

Mr. Dickerson is well known at Mississippi Christian Family Services and throughout the community for his hard work, dedication, reliability, and kind deeds. His work at Mississippi Christian Family Services includes making sure families in need of quality social services are provided for in a kindly, comforting, and proficient manner.

Mr. Dickerson volunteers with the Rolling Fork Fire Department, Police Department, and assists the security guards with the Sharkey County Sheriff Department at football and basketball games at the local public and private high schools.

He has the opportunity to serve as an assistant tour guide at the two most popular events that are held each year: the Great Delta Festival held in May and the Bear Festival held in October. He enjoys helping the tour guide show students from local schools the different bear carvings and the stations that are set up to inform students about how the event originated and other important features.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dynamic servant of the community, Mr. Calvin Dickerson for his dedication to service throughout his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable person with disability, Ms. Lela Buie. Born on June 26, 1938, in Jefferson County, Fayette, Mississippi, she is the youngest of four children to the late Eda and Jude Sims. Her early years of education began at Ledall Elementary School and she later attended Alcorn in Lorman, Mississippi, and received her General Education Diploma.

Ms. Buie was employed at the Mississippi Department of Labor for 17 years before retiring to take care of her children.

Ms. Buie has two daughters, Sarah and Shirley Buie, and four sons, G.C. Buie, Jr., Edward Charles, Jude, and Robert Ander.

Ms. Buie is happy to have seen her loving children grow up to be successful and has a host of nieces and nephews that love and care for her. Ms. Buie is a longtime member of Rosehill Church #2.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Lela Buie for her dedication to serving others in her disability.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Reverend Larry Williams. Reverend Williams has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to make a positive difference in doing God's will.

Reverend Williams, a resident of Mayersville, Mississippi, was born May 25, 1953, to Paul and Gracie Williams in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He enlisted in the United States Army December 7, 1972, and served until January 1993.

Reverend Williams completed his graduation through the Army Program while in Germany. Later, he attended the University of Maryland and earned his Associates Degree from Central Texas College.

He is married to Terry Williams. Together, they have one son, Dominique Williams. Reverend Williams was installed as Pastor at Saint Peter Missionary Baptist Church in December 2006. It is his passion to minister to those who are lost.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Reverend Larry Williams for his dedication and service to our great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a faithful and tenacious young woman, Ms. Kimberly Smith. She has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a boundless desire to achieve.

Ms. Smith is a lifelong resident of Mayersville, Mississippi, and is the third of seven children born to Melvin and Emma Smith.

Ms. Smith was the salutatorian of her 1999 South Delta High School class. She attended Jackson State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Graduating with honors from Jackson State in 2003, she began teaching at South Delta Elementary School. She taught both second and fourth grade during her short tenure.

In 2004, Ms. Smith was in a car accident that would change her life forever. After her accident, she decided the only thing to keep her going was her drive for education; for that reason, she pursued and obtained her Masters of Education degree. In 2008, she received her Masters of Education with ``Honors'' from Delta State University. Ms. Smith lives by the motto, ``Saved by Grace, spared by Mercy.''

Ms. Smith is an active member of Rising Star Seven Day Adventist, where she serves as Youth Director.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a humble but dynamic servant, Ms. Kimberly Smith for her unwavering desire to education.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable disabled individual, Mr. Kelvin Dashun Brown. Mr. Brown is a lifelong resident of the City of Mound Bayou in the Mississippi Delta.

He was born on September 21, 1977, with cerebral palsy and is a spastic quadriplegic. At birth his parents were told that he would not live beyond the age of two years old and if he did, he would be in a vegetative state.

Mr. Brown has proved the doctors incorrect. He started his education at the age of two at Delta House Child Development and the Bolivar County Demonstration Center in Cleveland, Mississippi. At the age of four, he was enrolled in the Mound Bayou Head Start Program. At the age of six, he was enrolled in the I.T. Montgomery Elementary School. Upon completing his education there, he enrolled at John F. Kennedy High School, where he remained until graduating in May of 1997. While a student at John F. Kennedy High School, he was a member of the Student Council and served as class representative and was elected vice- president during his junior year.

Mr. Brown worked for the City of Mound Bayou Police for eight years as a certified dispatcher and was promoted to Sergeant. Serving as Volunteer Youth Activities Coordinator for the City of Mound Bayou Police for the past seven years, he has coordinated and raised funds for annual back-to-school giveaways of school supplies, cookouts, toy drives, and monthly story hours for youths. He has held numerous preventative activities at the local school districts in the City of Mound Bayou and the City of Shelby to forge relationships with local school districts, youths and local police departments. Mr. Brown has received many accolades and awards for his youth and community endeavors.

He is an active member of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves with the Usher Ministry.

Mr. Brown is the oldest son of Eugene Brown and Joann Brown. He lives his life by this motto: ``It is what it is''. In other words, his condition cannot stop him from being an asset to society.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Kelvin Dashun Brown for his dedication to serving his community and youths in the Mississippi Delta.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran and man of God, Reverend Elijah Eason. He has served his community through hard work and Christian leadership.

Reverend Eason, a resident of Rolling Fork, Mississippi, was born October 31, 1965, to Frank and Maggie Eason in Washington County, Mississippi. He was the youngest child born to this union.

Following his graduation from Rolling Fork High School in 1984, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served for four years. After returning home from the military, he met and married Angelia Michelle Bush in 1992.

In 2001, he devoted his life to Christ and was ordained a Baptist minister. For nine years, he led the flock of the Mount Lula Missionary Baptist Church and served there with great spiritual devotion. Reverend Eason always had a joke or a parable that would make you smile. He had true and genuine love for people.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Reverend Elijah Eason for his dedication to serving our great Country and his community

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable and honorable man, Elder Henry Smiley. A lifelong resident of Copiah County, Mississippi, he has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve.

Elder Smiley graduated from Breckenridge Job Corps Center in Morganfield, Kentucky, in 1977. After graduation, he accepted God's call on his life to minister.

March 13, 1978, changed his life forever and provided a monumental challenge to his faith and his zeal for life. He suffered a devastating accident while working at a local saw mill. Although paralyzed from the waist down, he maintained a soaring spirit and even stronger love for the Lord.

He is a tireless and tenacious worker who lives a life of service to others and to his God. Elder Smiley has served on the ``Spirit Team'' at the Methodist Rehabilitation Center where he motivates and encourages others with spinal injuries. He is also a member of the Copiah Chapter of NAACP, Chaplin of the Hazlehurst Parent-Teacher Association and volunteers at high school football games in traffic control and gate security. From 2002 to 2005, he served as a role model and discussion leader at the Mississippi Job Corp Center and he is the Vice President of the Benevolent Fund of the Copiah County Ministerial Alliance and the Transportation Committee.

Elder Smiley and his wife, Cora, have four children. He is an Ordained Minister and Elder at New Cathedral of Worship in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He serves as an officer on the Church's Executive Board with responsibility as Director of Maintenance, Property and Logistics.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a humble but dynamic servant, Elder Henry Smiley, for his service to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Mr. Ira Lee Sullivan. Mr. Sullivan was born on May 22, 1918 in Webster County, Mississippi. His life was transcended on November 7, 2011. He was married to Jo Ella Campbell-Sullivan for 63 years until she preceded him in death in 2009.

Mr. Sullivan is a remarkable veteran for a number of reasons. His tour of duty was filled with heroic actions, life threatening calls to duty, and celebration. He volunteered for the U.S. Navy on July 6, 1938 out of Grenada, Mississippi and spent most of his tour of duty in the Pacific. He was aboard the USS Enterprise on December 7, 1941 in Honolulu during the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was a member of the USS Enterprise (CV-6) aircraft carrier which became one of the most decorated U.S. Naval vessels of World War II. Mr. Sullivan was aboard the destroyer USS Morrison that was sunk on May 4, 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa. While aboard, more than twenty-five Japanese Kamikaze planes air raided the vessel killing 152 of the 331 aboard. Mr. Sullivan's parents were notified by the Navy that he was aboard the vessel when it sank and was therefore missing in action and presumed dead. Yet despite all the odds, a few weeks later he returned home to the astonishment of his family. He was honorably discharged on November 30, 1945, with numerous awards and citations that included the Presidential Unit Citation Award and the Purple Heart.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Ira Lee Sullivan, a decorated World War II veteran and an unforgotten hero for his dedication and service to this country and the pride of this family.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Mr. Hosea Spencer, of Greenville, Mississippi.

Mr. Spencer attended Coleman Middle & High School, located in Greenville, Mississippi. He withdrew from school in the 11th grade to join the military, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1954 and serving through 1957. Mr. Spencer received his basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. After basic training, he became a part of the James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Texas. He was stationed there for 2\1/2\ years, and held the title, Corporal, in the medical field.

In September of 1956, Mr. Spencer volunteered to go overseas. He was stationed in England, where he was an Air Policeman at the 388th Air Police Squadron, which was his last duty assignment and major command.

Mr. Spencer was awarded during his service time for being a Rifleman and a Sharpshooter. He also received a National Defense Service Medal.

Mr. Spencer learned a lot about life during his time in the service. Being in the U.S. Air Force taught him everything as a young man and gave him a chance to see the world. His only regret is that he did not make a career with the military.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Hosea Spencer for his time and dedication to serving our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran and lifelong resident of the Mississippi Delta, Mr. Isaac Daniel Scott.

Mr. Scott was drafted to serve in the United States Army while pursuing an education in Agriculture Business at Tennessee State University: Mr. Scott served during the Vietnam Conflict and was a member of the 1st Calvary Air Mobile Unit. He earned the rank of Specialist and an Honorable Discharge after his tour of duty. Upon completion of his tour of duty, Mr. Scott returned to the Mississippi Delta to pursue farming with his father, Mr. Edward Scott.

Mr. Scott wanted to continue his contact with fellow veterans and became a member of

the American Legion Post #220 in Mound Bayou, Mississippi. In 2009 he was elected to serve as Vice Commander of VFW Post #220.

Mr. Scott is married to Ms. Lucy Chatman-Scott and they are the proud parents of seven children and three grandchildren. A proud veteran and family man, he lives his life by the motto: ``Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Isaac Scott for his dedication to serving our great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable and honorable veteran, Staff Sergeant Joe Nathan Wilson. Sergeant Wilson has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and desire.

Sergeant Wilson, a lifelong resident of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, was born on October 7, 1973 to Joseph Johnson and Maxine Adams.

He graduated from Crystal Springs High School in 1993. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he served until the Chinook helicopter he was aboard went down on November 2, 2003, in Al Fallujah, Iraq. In 2002 he married Erica Beatty and to that union they had a daughter, Yasmin.

Sergeant Wilson's attitude was always positive, whether serving in the army or competing on the football field at Crystal Springs High. He attended White Oak Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, Mississippi. As a member of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment of Crystal Springs, Mississippi, Staff Sergeant Wilson received several honors including the Purple Heart.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Staff Sergeant Joe Nathan Wilson for his unwavering dedication to serving our great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Ellis Wilkerson of Yazoo County, Mississippi.

Mr. Ellis Wilkerson served in the National Guard for 20 years, Special Force 1st/20 and 1st/114 Artillery. Mr. Wilkerson also served in the U.S. Army Infantry from 1968-1970. He is the recipient of the Infantry Badge, Vietnam Campaign Badge, Purple Heart, and Bronze Star.

Mr. Wilkerson is married to Mary Johnson-Wilkerson and they have two sons. He is a member of Pleasant Grove M.B. Church where he serves as a Deacon. Mr. Wilkerson is a one hundred percent disabled Veteran, and he is also retired from the VA Medical Center.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Ellis Wilkerson for serving our country honorably.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Mr. Joseph Gray. He is the American Legion Post Commander of Cooper Yerger Post-28 association for veterans, in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Mr. Gray is a native of Greensboro, North Carolina. He graduated in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Citadel. He is married to the former Mary LaUna Jones of Clarksdale, Mississippi, and they have three daughters and seven grandchildren.

Upon graduation, Mr. Gray accepted a commission in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Vietnam from 1967-1968 where he received thirty- seven Air Medals representing over 750 combat missions. Some of the medals he received included the Single Mission Air Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, the Sikorsky Winged S for Saving lives. He also logged flight time in a U.S. Marine Sikorsky H-34 helicopter which is now housed in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

Mr. Gray is currently the CEO of Gray Enterprises, LLC, where he provides small business counseling for startup companies. He conducts seminars and workshops for small business owners on the basic discipline of business, business plans and management-by-objective.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Joseph R. Gray, a decorated Vietnam veteran and hero for his dedication and service to this country, community and family.