Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished life of Sergeant Willie Nason. Sergeant Nason was born on April 12, 1983.

Sergeant Nason, anxious to serve his country, enlisted in the Marine Corps in 2000. In 2004, he was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines where he served in Weapons Company as a team leader and later squad leader. In August 2004, he deployed to Iraq. Having shown phenomenal capabilities as an inspiring leader, he would go on to become a Drill Instructor.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sergeant Willie for his service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Marshand Crisler. A lifetime Jackson resident, Mr. Crisler was born in Greenville, Mississippi in 1968 to Johnny and Rosia Crisler. Mr. Crisler attended elementary and junior high school in Utica, Mississippi, before transferring to the Jackson Public Schools District and graduating from Provine High School. He pursued higher education at Hinds Community College where he received his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice.

Mr. Crisler enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served in the Persian Gulf War. In 1992, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Marines and joined the Hinds County Sheriffs Department as a narcotics investigator and held several assignments as a contract agent with the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotics, the FBI and DEA. In 1993, he received the distinguished meritorious award of valor for acts of courage and being shot in the line of duty.

Mr. Crisler enlisted in the Mississippi Army National Guard where he served as Headquarters Detachment Commander for the 112th Military Police Battalion and later in Operation Iraqi Freedom and was awarded several war time commendations, including the ``Army Commendation Medal.'' He later transferred to the Mississippi Air National Guard's 172nd Security Forces Squadron where he was promoted to the rank of Major and served as Deputy Director of Security Forces. Mr. Crisler recently retired as a Major after 21 years in the U.S. Armed Forces.

While working for the Sheriffs Department, Mr. Crisler graduated from Jackson State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Corrective Services. In January of 1999, he accepted the position of Police Chief of the Utica Police Department, and became the first African American to serve in this capacity. In the summer of 1999 he returned to the Hinds County Sheriffs Department, where he remained for 17 years.

In 2001, Mr. Crisler was elected to the Jackson City Council becoming the first African American to hold the position of Ward 6 Councilman. He served three terms as President of

the Jackson City Council. Mr. Crisler continued his studies and received a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Jackson State University in spring 2007. He is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Urban and Regional Planning at Jackson State University and has completed his first year of study.

Mr. Crisler is also actively involved in numerous youth mentoring projects, including a pilot program he initiated and the Excel to Achieve Program which recognizes today's youth for their academic and civic achievements. Mr. Crisler is a member of several noteworthy civic organizations including the Community In Schools (CIS), NAACP, Masonic Order PHA/F&AM, Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc., 100 Black Men of Jackson, Inc., the Willowood Developmental Center Board of Directors, the Mississippi Police and Sheriffs Association, and the Hinds County Community College Dropout Recovery Advisory Board and VFW Post 9832.

Mr. Crisler has been married twenty-four years to the former Charlotte Nichols and they have three wonderful children. Mr. Crisler's goal is to contribute to the success of the generations that follow by setting a positive example and staying actively involved in the advancement and refinement of today's youth.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Marshand Crisler for his dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Retired Sergeant Elisha Langdon II. Mr. Langdon is a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Delta.

Sergeant Langdon was drafted to serve in United States Army after graduating from Alcorn High School. Sgt. Langdon served during the time of the World War II. While serving our great country, he spearheaded a protest letter to General Douglas MacArthur, Commander of the 8th Army, President Harry S Truman, and the U.S. Department of Armed Services to abolish segregated armed services in the United States and overseas.

As a result of Mr. Langdon taking a stance against segregation, President Truman, prior to the Korean War issued Executive Order #9981 establishing equality of treatment and opportunity in the Armed Services for people of all races, religions, and national origins. This brought about the abolishment of all-black units in the United States.

Sergeant Langdon earned the rank of Sergeant and an Honorable Discharge after his tour of duty. Upon completion of his tour of duty, he returned to the Mississippi Delta to continue his education at Alcorn State College in Lorman, Mississippi where in 1951 he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocational Agriculture, and then on to Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama where he received a Masters of Education in Vocational Agriculture.

Sergeant Langdon has broken many racial barriers. He became the first African American employed with the USDA Farmers Home Administration in Tunica, Mississippi, and in 1978 he was appointed as an United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Counselor, serving seven southern states and the island of Puerto Rico.

In 1989, Sgt. Langdon was also the first African American elected to the City of Ruleville's Board of Alderman. Mr. Langdon is married to late Ms. Everett Wims-Langdon and proud parents of one child.

Mr. Speaker, please join me and our colleagues in recognizing Retired Sergeant Elisha Langdon II for his dedication to serving our great country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Robert E. Moore, who was born in Greenwood, Mississippi. He graduated from Amanda Elzy High School in 1962. From 1966-1969, Mr. Moore was active in the United States Marines Corp where he obtained several medals and commendations. He participated in operations in Danang, Vietnam and in Swanee in the vicinity of An Hoa. Mr. Moore went on to participate in other operations, including Operation Prairie II, Operation Prairie III, Operation Prairie IV, Operation Hickory, Operation Cimarron, Operation Buffalo, Operation Hickory II and Operation King Fisher.

Mr. Moore has received several service medals: National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and Purple Heart Medal for a gunshot wound to the abdomen during the Vietnam Conflict.

After completing his military obligations, Mr. Moore attended Jackson State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He furthered his education at the University of Southern Mississippi with a Masters of Science degree in Social Work.

Mr. Moore was elected to the Leflore County Board of Supervisors in 1986 and was recently elected to another four year term. He has worked as a college professor and Director of Social Work at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU). In 1994, he became the Director of University Center for Economic Development at MVSU and retired in 2006.

In his spare time Mr. Moore enjoys reading, hunting, and community development activities. He is an active member of the American Legion Post 200, the Greenwood Voter's League, and various mentoring programs in Leflore County.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Mr. Sherman Williams, who was born March 29, 1922, to the late Jim Williams and Betty Johnson Williams in Bolton, Mississippi. Mr. Williams joined the Mt. Olive M. B. Church at an early age and was baptized by the late Reverend Mack Sanders. He attended school at Mt. Olive Learning School and later farmed for many years.

Mr. Williams served in the United States Army from December 8, 1942 to August 5, 1946 when he was released with an honorable discharge. After leaving the Army, he worked 27 years at the Tri-State Brick and Tile Company in Jackson, Mississippi.

Mr. Williams is the loving father of four wonderful children: Roosevelt Williams (preceded him in death), of Jackson, Mississippi; Edward Lee Mack and Barbara Gale Anderson both of Byram, Mississippi; and Ezell Dotson of Clinton, Mississippi. He has eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mr. Williams has a host of loving nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Sherman Williams for his dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Mr. Dallas Wicks who was born on December 11, 1930, in Pelahatchie, Mississippi. He was the third child of twelve children to Minister McAllister and Mrs. Maggie Ella Wicks. His early years of education began at Pelahatchie Elementary School and continued on to Carthage High School, Fayette High School and culminating with him graduating from Lanier High School in Jackson, Mississippi.

Mr. Wicks entered the U.S. Army on April 8, 1951, where he served in the Korean War. He received basic training in Scoffed Barracks Hawaii in Honolulu, Hawaii and upon completion, was deployed to Korea and served in the 2nd Army Division in 1951. He has also done other foreign tours of duty that include Germany, France, Lebanon, and Vietnam in addition to a host of state tours including Forts Myles, Hood, and Eustis. During his first tour of duty in Korea, Mr. Wicks received the Purple Heart Medal in October 10, 1951. He has also received the Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, U.N. Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation and Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation.

Mr. Wicks is a member of the Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, where he serves as an auxiliary lay leader. He is also a member of the Prince Hall Jefferson #202 Lodge.

Mr. Wicks is happily married to his wife of 56 years, Mrs. Matiele Wicks. They have no children but several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Dallas Wicks for his dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished life of Lieutenant Patrick Miller.

Lieutenant Miller was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1961. As a Marine officer for over 23 years, Lt. Miller served multiple tours as an artilleryman with the 2nd and 3rd Marine Divisions, including two tours in Vietnam.

Lieutenant Miller earned the Medal of Honor on December 18, 1965 in Vietnam. His other decorations include Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Commendation Medal.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Lieutenant Patrick Miller for his service to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the many accomplishments of Retired First Sergeant Landres Cheeks of Canton, Mississippi. First Sergeant Cheeks is a true patriot of our country and served as an integral part of his community for more than 60 years. He dedicated his life, after serving our country for three decades, to giving back to the people of Canton. His mission to economically empower, inspire and motivate the people of Canton is one of great resolve.

Sergeant Cheeks served in the United States Army Medical Corps for 30 years participating in World War II (Germany and France) and the Vietnam War. He is a decorated serviceman, having received the National Defense Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army of Occupational Medal of Germany, Bronze Star Medal, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, and 9th Good Service Conduct Medal. In 2001 he was awarded the Blue Cross Blue Shield Ageless Hero Award. This honor is given in celebration of the spirit and vitality of our Nation's seniors aged 65 and over who have proven themselves exemplarily in the areas of Community Involvement, Creativity, Good Neighbor, Love of Learning, New Beginnings and Vitality. Sgt. Cheeks has proven himself to be a role model of his community.

After having been honorably discharged from the military it was later discovered that Sgt. Cheeks had contracted Agent Orange and developed post-traumatic stress syndrome. Nevertheless, Sgt. Cheeks persevered and began actively assisting the people of Canton with searches for employment and with formulating and sponsoring extracurricular activities for the youth of Canton. He also served as a volunteer crossing guard for Holy Child Jesus School in Canton for more than 25 years.

In 1975, Sgt. Cheeks took his 18 years of experience in coaching little league baseball in the military and sponsored a little league baseball team in Madison County (MS). He also took the discipline and resourcefulness learned in the United States military to organize both Boy and Girl Scouts' troops in Canton, Mississippi.

Sergeant Cheeks' commitment to individual and community wealth building was the driving force behind much of his pledge to serving the citizens of Canton. To that end, he served as the Chairman of the Madison County Union for Progress, a private organization that helps citizens seek and secure employment; he served on the Board of Directors for the Canton Housing Authority, an organization in which he currently still serves as a chief advisor; he served on the G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center's Board of Trustees and Madison General Hospital's Board of Trustees. Sgt. Cheeks has also been the Utility Commissioner for the City of Canton for three years in addition to volunteering with the Full Gospel Fellowship Church under the direction of Pastor Toni Brooks to serve hot meals to senior citizens at their homes once a week. He graciously took care of the personal needs of several senior citizens and hosted a talk show twice per month at WONG radio station that addresses various issues within the community.

Not only is Sgt. Cheeks committed to economic equality and bettering the community, but he is also committed to civic engagement and involvement. He currently sits on the Voter Registration committee and serves as the Chairman of the Membership Committee for the Canton Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Even with all this on his plate, Sgt. Cheeks still made time to own and manage Winn-n-Cheeks Grocery Store for over twenty years after retiring from the Army. Sergeant Cheeks has been a pillar in his community more than half a century and has served our country honorably; I cannot find anyone nobler or better suited to have a federal building named in their honor.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing First Sergeant Landres Cheeks for his dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Retired Sergeant Major Charles Scott, Sr, United States Army. Mr. Scott was born on August 7, 1928, in Vicksburg, Mississippi. He is the sixth of nine children born to Oscar and Evelyn Scott. His early years of education began at Cherry Street School and from there he went on to Magnolia High School.

Mr. Scott entered the U.S. Army on November 27, 1950, where he served in the Korean War with the 96th Field Artillery as an Artillery Crewman. He served four tours of duty in Germany totaling ten years. He also toured twice in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division; coordinating artillery fire, mortar fire, attacking enemy helicopters and close air strikes by the Air Forces.

During his last five years in service, Mr. Scott was the advisor to the U.S. Army Reserve in South Mississippi. Sergeant Major Scott retired in 1983 accumulating more than 30 years of service in the United States military. His Awards include: The Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Three Oak Leaf Clusters, Good Conduct Medal 10th Awards, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), National Defense Service Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster, Korean Service Medal with Two Stars, Vietnam Service Medal with Three Stars, Army Service Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Unit Citation and Honorable Order of St. Barbara.

Retired Major Scott is a member of Mount Heroden Baptist Church where he is the Chairman of the Trustee Board. He is also a member of the American Legion Tyner-Ford Post 213, and the former commander of the American Legion Department of Mississippi from 2005 through 2006 with 18,000 members. He is presently the sixth district Vice Commander. On the National Level, he is the Vice Chairman of the Americanism Council for Children and Youth Department, a Life member of American Legion 101st Airborne Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disable American Veterans Post #22, the National Association for Uniformed Service, a member of the AARP and a member of the American Legion Legislative Division.

Mr. Scott is happily married to his wife of 24 years, Mrs. Lillie M. Scott and they have six children, seventeen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Retired Sergeant Major. Charles Scott, Sr. for the dedication of service he's given to our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the rule and the underlying measure, the conference report on H.R. 2055.

When presented with this 1,219-page funding bill, it's hard to know where to start. As the ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, I choose to start by looking at how it will affect our Nation's first responders and the communities they protect.

This package, 10 years after the attacks of September 11, 2001, is a dangerous departure from the path we've been on as a Nation to build up our preparedness and our response capabilities. It abandons the men and women we count on to save lives.

Since 9/11 there has been a general recognition that, as a Nation, we are dangerously unprepared for the emerging threats we face. That is why past Congresses established an array of Federal grant programs targeted to specific homeland security gaps and needs. Across the country, we've seen the benefits of the path lead by the Congresses towards preparedness as evidenced by the response to this year's wave of disasters.

Today, however, this Congress not only strays from the path but bulldozes it.

The conference report slashes more than $2 billion from first responder funding. Last year, $3.38 billion was provided to communities across the country under FEMA's grant program, most notably: the State Homeland Security Grant program, Urban Area Security Initiative, Metropolitan Medical Response System, Operation Stonegarden, Citizen Corps program, Port Security Grant Program, transit security grant programs, interoperability community grant programs, and emergency operation centers. This year, under this package, just $1.35 billion is designated for all of the grant programs.

That is less than half of what we were provided this last year.

To make matters worse, this package punts responsibility for the tough decisions about funding levels for each program to Secretary Napolitano.

The approach taken here should surprise no one. Tough decisions about funding have been punted throughout this session, and as a result, the Congress has moved from shutdown crisis to shutdown crisis.

If this package is enacted, the Congress will be punting responsibility for meeting the Homeland Security challenges of a post- 9/11 world to State, local, and tribal governments. The timing of the shift of responsibility could not be worse.

We must not ignore the cause from public safety and first responder organizations that have warned us about devastating effects of cuts. For this reason and probably a hundred more, I oppose the conference report.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to introduce legislation today with the following Members: Mr. Elijah Cummings, Mr. John Duncan, and Mr. Pedro Pierluisi.

Currently, Members of Congress are allowed to nominate a limited number of candidates to the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. However, the smallest of the five federal service academies-- the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, USCGA--does not accept congressional nominations.

Instead, the USCGA admits candidates through a process that closely resembles the admissions processes of civilian colleges and universities. Without a congressional nominations process, the applicant pool of candidates to the USCGA is predictably less geographically diverse than at the other military service academies. The inevitable result of a less geographically diverse applicant pool is a less geographically diverse class. The statistics bear this out; in fact, there was not a single appointment from Arkansas, Delaware, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Vermont, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands in the USCGA Class of 2015.

Under my legislation, starting in academic year 2013, each Member of Congress would be allowed to nominate up to three qualified candidates to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. In turn, the Coast Guard would be required to

fill a quarter of slots for the incoming class from the expanded pool of qualified, geographically-diverse applicants received through the congressional nominations process. Then, in each subsequent academic year, half of the slots in each incoming class would have to be filled through the congressional nominations process.

My legislation will not require the Coast Guard to lower its student selection criteria or increase the size of the student population. To the contrary, it anticipates that the Coast Guard will utilize its criteria to select the best candidates from the pool of Member- nominated candidates for half of the slots in the incoming class, just as it will do to fill the slots in the other half of the incoming class. My legislation simply seeks to make Congress a partner in helping to put talented young people--from every corner of the country--on the path to a rewarding career in the U.S. Coast Guard.

I urge support of this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Audrey Quarles Anderson of Lexington, Mississippi. Mrs. Anderson is the wife of Mr. Matt Anderson, mother to Shakita Quarles and Shakemia Anderson and grandmother to Cason Hughes. Mrs. Anderson is an active member of the Durant Church of Christ where she serves as Sunday school teacher and coordinator for several of the church's special events and projects.

Mrs. Anderson has devoted a great deal of her life to supporting and encouraging the youth of her community. She was named Mississippi's Second Congressional District Parent of the Year in recognition of her many contributions to protect the welfare of the children of her community.

She is co-founder of Coats for Kids, a program that provides coats to children who are in need within the Holmes County area. She is an adult volunteer with the Girl Scouts, area cheerleading squads, and the Community Students Learning Center After-School Tutorial program.

Mrs. Anderson is a 1989 graduate of Jacob J. McClain High School and is a strong proponent of education. She stands firmly on her beliefs in regard to education and is not afraid to vocalize it. Mrs. Anderson is not only a wife, parent, and grandparent, but she is also a very valuable asset to the Holmes County community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in expressing my appreciation to Mrs. Audrey Quarles Anderson of Lexington, Mississippi for her commitment and servitude to the cause of education.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true valued member of our society, Mrs. Donnie Powell. Mrs. Powell has dedicated a great deal of her life to championing causes relative to education and criminal justice.

Mrs. Powell received degrees in Criminal Justice from Coahoma Community College and Mississippi Valley State University; and has worked 25 years for the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

She is an active member of the Tallahatchie County Parent Teacher Association and was recruited to be a part of the parent-community adhoc committee's nationwide search for a new Superintendent for the Tallahatchie School District in 2009. She has received Parent of the Month awards from local elementary

and high schools in Tallahatchie County, and was most recently named the 2011 Tallahatchie School District Parent of the Year.

She volunteers her time and energy to her local Boys and Girls Club, in an effort to help educate and deter the youth from engaging in counterproductive activities such as joining gangs and committing violence in their schools and communities.

She works in conjunction with the Mississippi State Department of Health to organize speaking engagements and forums on gangs and violence in Tallahatchie, Panola, Quitman, Sunflower, and Coahoma counties.

Mrs. Powell believes that parents, teachers, and community members should work together and maintain strong lines of communication in an effort to ensure that the students of today receive adequate education and training to thrive in an ever changing world.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues join me in recognizing Mrs. Donnie Powell for her many contributions to education and serving her community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a World War II hero, entrepreneur, philanthropist and outstanding public servant, Mr. Jeremiah ``Jerry'' Joseph O'Keefe.

A native of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, Jeremiah Joseph O'Keefe was born July 12, 1923, in a gracious antebellum home constructed by his grandfather. When Jeremiah O'Keefe was 13 years old, the family lost their home during the Depression and relocated to Biloxi, Mississippi. In Biloxi, Mr. O'Keefe attended Sacred Heart Academy high school, where during his senior year he was co-captain of the school's football team.

Mr. O'Keefe was attending Soule Business College when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941 and he quickly offered to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Navy. He would join the Aviation Cadet Program of the United States Navy in June 1942,

and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and designated a Naval Aviator on June 16, 1943. In 1945, Mr. O'Keefe, then a 1st Lieutenant, and his 24-plane fighter squadron, ``the Death Rattlers,'' deployed upon Okinawa where they would participate in his first aerial combat. Their assignment was to prevent repeated nightly Japanese aerial attacks in the harbor. An ``ace'' fighter pilot, Mr. O'Keefe was credited with shooting down a total of seven Japanese airplanes in the Battle of Okinawa, including five in one day. At the age of 21, Mr. O'Keefe became one of the youngest ``Aces'' in World War II. For his meritorious efforts, he was awarded the United States Navy Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, and the Gold Star.

Following World War II, Mr. O'Keefe obtained a degree in business administration from Loyola University and went to work with his father in the family funeral business. In 1958, he purchased Bradford Funeral Service and merged it with the O'Keefe family business to create Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home. That same year, Mr. O'Keefe founded Gulf National Life (GNL) Insurance Company. Over the course of several decades, GNL acquired a number of other smaller companies and became the largest insurer in Mississippi with over 200 affiliated funeral homes.

Deeply rooted in politics on the Gulf Coast, Mr. O'Keefe's grandfather was alderman-at-large in Ocean Springs. In 1935, Jerry O'Keefe's uncle, John O'Keefe served as Mayor of Biloxi for two years, before resigning to become an Adjutant General in the Mississippi National Guard. Jerry O'Keefe was elected to the Mississippi State Legislature seven years later in 1959 and served one four-year term. Mr. O'Keefe was elected Mayor of Biloxi in 1973 and served eight years. Known as an energetic and innovative mayor, he was awarded Biloxi's Citizen of the Year in 1976.

As mayor, Mr. O'Keefe was a strong proponent for civil rights and the advancement of the African-American community. While mayor of Biloxi, he confronted the Ku Klux Klan (KKK) by rescinding a permit they received to hold a parade in the town. When the KKK proceeded with the parade, he had them arrested. Mr. O'Keefe was guided by his moral compass and ethical disposition during a time when few stood up against the Ku Klux Klan for fear of retribution. Mr. O'Keefe received death threats and the KKK burned a cross in front of his house. Still, Jerry O'Keefe stood his ground.

After three decades of politics, Mr. O'Keefe shifted his focus to fundraising and philanthropy. He has been a supporter and donor to numerous organizations, schools, and museums. In 1967 and 1975, Mr. O'Keefe received awards from the United Fund Campaign for Distinguished Service to the people of Harrison County. He has been the recipient of the Pine Burr Area Boy Scouts of America's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1995, he and his wife, Annette, founded The O'Keefe Foundation with an initial endowment of $10 million. The foundation is the primary financial sponsor of The New Hope Center in Ocean Springs, a center for disabled youth. Additionally, the foundation supports numerous organizations throughout the state and the greater Gulf Coast region which includes the Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, St. John's and Mercy Cross High Schools, Habitat for Humanity, Shaw University, Tougaloo College, St. Alphonsus Elementary School, YMCA, the St. Vincent Depaul Society, the Walter Anderson Museum, Boys and Girls Clubs, Christians United of Jackson County, and the City of Ocean Springs.

Mr. O'Keefe and his first wife, Annette Saxon O'Keefe, have 13 children. He and his later wife, Martha, have worked to reinforce family bonds through regular church attendance, Sunday dinners, and family vacations. Mr. O'Keefe is an active member in the Nativity B.V.M. Cathedral.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in expressing my sincere gratitude to Mr. Jeremiah ``Jerry'' Joseph O'Keefe of Ocean Springs, Mississippi for his service to the state of Mississippi and to this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable and an intrepid man; one who has served as a father figure to many of the children of Crystal Springs, Mississippi; Mr. Kenneth Coleman. Mr. Coleman, a lifelong resident of Crystal Springs, Mississippi is husband and devoted father to two biological sons. Mr. Coleman graduated from Crystal Springs High School in 1991 and received his Bachelors of Science Degree in Recreation from Alcorn State University in 1998.

Mr. Coleman serves as a volunteer coach for both Crystal Springs Middle and High School football and basketball teams. Mr. Coleman's commitment to the children of Crystal Springs is of no small consequence; under his direction the children learn a sense of sportsmanship, comradery and teamwork.

Mr. Coleman is employed as a conservation officer with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and Parks and is also a member of the Sanderson Masonic Lodge #22 in Crystal Springs. Mr. Coleman is a very active member of the Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves as chairman of the deacon board and is a member of the choir.

Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in commending Mr. Kenneth Coleman for serving as a role model and inspiration to the children of Crystal Springs, Mississippi.