Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Shameka Woods. Ms. Shameka has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve success.

Shameka Woods is a 2003 graduate of Natchez High School. She received her bachelor's degree from Jackson State University, a master's degree from Alcorn State University, and a Specialist from Belhaven University. She is currently working on her Ed.D at Belhaven University.

Shameka joined the Jefferson County School District in 2010 as a third-grade teacher. She has also served as SSIP Literacy Coach, Assistant Principal at Jefferson County High School, and now Principal at Jefferson County Elementary School. Shameka is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. She has a six-year-old daughter, Brooklyn, who attends Jefferson County Elementary School.

Ms. Woods explained what drives her passion for educating children. She stated, ``I do this work because our children need passionate educators in their lives. Our students have the potential to do anything they desire with the right motivation and support. My biggest reason (my why) is to see our students succeed. I am so blessed to have a team of educators who understand the vision (JCES Dream Team). I am also thankful to have support from the district administrators, who assist us with everything we do. With continuous teamwork and dedication, we will accomplish all our goals.''

``Ms. Woods is a visionary leader who sees the potential in every child,'' said Adrian Hammitte, Superintendent of Jefferson County School District. Moreover, she has created a school culture centered around student success. I am proud of her accomplishments and their impact on our school district and community.''

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Shameka Woods for her passion and dedication to education in the Jefferson County School District.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Kierra Jones-Williams. Kierra has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve success.

Kierra Jones-Williams, a native of Cleveland, the daughter of a single parent, said her passion for helping others stems from her Delta roots; volunteering and mentoring in the MS Delta, and being crowned Miss Tougaloo College (2017-2018). She attended Tougaloo College, where she received a full ride and other scholarships including the Congressional Black Caucus Scholarship. Her journey continued when she enrolled in Jackson State University's School of Public Health (SPH), which is the only SPH in Mississippi. Her concentration was Behavioral Health Promotion and Education within the Department of Behavioral and Environmental Health. With a strong desire to impact public health and practice medicine, Kierra Jones-Williams, wanted to return to the Mississippi Delta as a medical doctor because she's seen how the lack of education and resources can impact the health of communities.

She was then accepted into the University of Mississippi Medical Center (UMMC) School of Medicine Fall 2019. Kierra was awarded two scholarships totaling $41,000 annually to help achieve her goal of becoming a physician. She has also been awarded $30,000 per year toward her tuition by the Mississippi Rural Physicians Scholarship Program and $11,000 per year by the Robert M. Hearing Support Foundation Minority Scholarship. Jones-Williams is also a Daniel Hale Williams Scholar in the Jackson Heart Study Graduate Training and Education Center. Kierra plans to return to a rural area of Mississippi to practice. As many who have paved the path before her, she plans to integrate public health with clinical care in her practice. She wants the legacy of her career to be labeled as a physician who considers the influences of culture and genetics on patient health and one that primarily generates a professional relationship of trust, understanding, and sound medical treatment practices with her patients. While enrolled as a medical student at UMMC, Kierra has served as Vice President of UMMC Student National Medical Association, Advocacy Chair of UMMC Obstetrics and Gynecology Interest Group, Community Liaison for Rural Scholars, received the Dee and Bill Keeton Award (for

demonstrating scholarship, leadership, and service) as a third-year medical student, and received a Diversity Supplement Scholarship from the National Institute of Health.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Kierra Jones-Williams for her passion and dedication in medicine, and caring for patients in the rural communities.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a legend, Mrs. Carlene Palmer. Mrs. Palmer has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, determination, and a desire to be a trailblazer.

Mrs. Carlene Palmer was born on October 3, 1926. She is the first female African American to own a dry-cleaning business known as Southside Cleaners in the Freetown Community of Crystal Springs, MS. During segregation times in Crystal Springs, Freetown was known as the part of town that African Americans owned businesses such as cafes, hair salons, cab services, dry cleaning, laundry buildings, etc.

Mrs. Palmer proudly served her community with this business for 47 years from 1962 until her health caused her to retire in 2009. At the ripe age of 95 years old, Mrs. Palmer still looks forward to making her famous Sunday dinner every week. She is a true crown jewel of Crystal Springs, MS.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Carlene Palmer for her outstanding service and history making in Crystal Springs, Mississippi.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor history in Copiah County. Mr. Manuel Welch is an example, very hard- working and a committed leader who has set a trail for many to follow.

Mr. Manuel Welch was elected Copiah County's Supervisor November 14, 1985. He

made history as Copiah County's first elected African American supervisor since Reconstruction and retired on December 31, 2007. In addition to being supervisor, Mr. Welch served on the Mississippi Association of Supervisors board and was elected to represent seven counties on the Central Mississippi Planning and Development District legislative committee. Since retiring, Supervisor Welch spends most of his time outdoors, hunting and fishing. Though his joy is participating in outdoor activities, he is known for always willing to be a wise counsel and lend a helping hand.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Manuel Welch for his outstanding service in Crystal Springs, Mississippi.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the family legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Louella Williams' family tree.

The recorded history of Doc and Rebecca Williams and Frank and Louella Williams, sons, and daughters of Mississippi soil with roots in Yazoo County emanates from the Phillip Plantation, now known as the Phillip Farm, located in Yazoo County in Mississippi's Second Congressional District. Their descendants, Tommie, ``Doc James, Frank, Jr., Magnolia, Randolph, Laura, Lillie, and Adam (A.C.) and their sons and daughters have borne fruit up to the 7th generation of progeny with Mississippi ties.

The Williams Family descendants from Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas gathered in Washington, D.C., our Nation's Capital, to celebrate family and history in the month of July 2022.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the family legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Louella Williams.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and innovative woman, Representative Lataisha Jackson.

Lataisha Jackson was born August 4, 1983, in Fort Ord, California. At birth, her young parents Ernest Jackson, Sr. and Jennette Jackson, and her only sibling Ernest Jackson, were stationed at former United States Army post on Monterey Bay of the Pacific Ocean. Most of the family's military life was in Berlin, Germany, and where her parents began instilling into her and her brother the importance of family, faith, and fortitude. The family moved to Como, Mississippi, after her father was honorably discharged form the army due to a service-connected injury. Representative Jackson recalls her mother and father's greatest exemplary measures of the importance of family, faith, and fortitude during this time. Rep. Jackson credits her strong faith and fortitude of her late father and her mother.

She graduated from North Panola High School in 2001. After graduating high school, she attended Northwest Community College during the summer and then started Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL, in August. A month after starting college Rep. Jackson's father died at the age of 37 from cancer. Jackson honored her father and his sacrifices by graduating form Alabama State University in 2005 with a B.S. in English Language Arts Education, and in 2007 with her Master's in Educational Leadership.

Rep. Jackson's grandmother Elnora Lee Jackson, a longtime educator, encouraged her to teach. So, Jackson taught middle and high school students in Troy and Montgomery, AL. During her time in the classroom, she often reflected on educational inequities that she experienced as a student herself and as an educator. After working with the City Colleges of Chicago and the City of Chicago providing summer learning enrichment, Jackson decided to return to Mississippi and provide educational support services to students in rural communities to aid them in escaping poverty through educational opportunities. Her efforts began in 2009 with Back-to-School rallies. Then, in September 2010, she founded EDUCATE Social and Public Policy, Inc. with her brother, Ernest Jackson; Jessica Fitzhugh; Paige Dugger; Pedres Finley; and Alvin Jackson, Jr. As CEO of EDUCATE, Inc., she has led many efforts to provide after school, summer enrichment, college and career readiness opportunities, AAU Basketball, food and transportation security, and other community engagement opportunities.

In 2013, Mississippi House of Representatives, District 11 seat was vacated by the death of former Representative Joe Gardner, Jackson ran a successful campaign while grieving the death of her maternal grandmother Bessie Eppenger. She was sworn into the Mississippi House of Representatives on April 26, 2013.

She currently serves as the Vice Chair of Investigate State Offices and serves on Appropriations, Judiciary B, Universities and Colleges, Local and Private Legislation, and Public Property committees. After joining her colleagues in legislative efforts to enhance the quality of life for Mississippians, Representative Jackson realize how important it was for her to fulfill her childhood dream and become an attorney. So, Rep. Jackson enrolled in the summer of 2014 at the University of Mississippi School of Law and graduated in December 2017 with her juris doctor degree.

In 2014, the National Foundation of Women Legislation recognized Rep. Jackson as an Elected Woman of Excellence, and she currently serves as the Mississippi State Director for the organization. In 2018, the American Council of Young Political Leaders chose her as a member of their seven-member delegation to travel to China and Taiwan, and to join a network of over 8,500 alumni in 128 countries and territories. Rep. Jackson tenure includes legislative effort to increase dignity for incarcerated women, infrastructure improvement and development specifically for low tax base communities, economic and workforce development, and education reform. She has collaborated with several advocates and organizations to elevate conversations and awareness of the needs of incarcerated women by providing a Hope Luncheon for Incarcerated Women in Central Correctional Facility in Pearl, MS, for the past four years. In 2021, she traveled to Ghana, then to Nigeria in 2022 to encourage trade and business efforts between those in diaspora. Jackson is currently working with German leaders to consider Mississippi for German American industries.

Rep. Jackson enjoys gleaning wisdom from her grandfather, Mack Holt, and being an orator while encouraging others through spoken words. She has used the power of words and faith during her commencement speeches at her alma maters Alabama State University in 2019 and North Panola High School, at several churches and events, and she looking to be in the commencement speaker for Northwest Community College's Summer Graduation on August 1, 2022.

Rep. Jackson is the proud godmother of two amazingly gifted and talented godchildren- Cedquavious Hunter and Lauren Perry, that she loves dearly. She is an active member of Askew Grove M.B. Baptist Church in Sarah, MS. As a Beta Pi initiated member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, she continues her service to all mankind as a member

of Upsilon Iota Omega Chapter. Rep. Jackson is also a member of the Mississippi Delta Links, Incorporated.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Representative Lataisha Jackson for her dedication to serving her community and this great state.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Latisha Rudd Boothe.

Latisha Rudd Boothe, born LaTisha Lasha Rudd, on May 30, 1977, in Batesville, Mississippi, to Mr. Clarence Leon Rudd, Jr. and Mrs. Mary Frances Rudd.

She is the wife of Leonard Boothe; mother of Tyler Douglass Rudd and Kyla Maree Rudd; stepmother to Anderson Boothe and Christopher Boothe; sister of Darryl Leon Rudd, Dwayne Dupree Rudd and the late Derrick Demoyne Rudd; and the granddaughter of the late Mr. Clarence Rudd, Sr. and Mrs. Betty Jean Rudd, and the late Mr. Frank Douglass Oliver and Mrs. Marie Towns Oliver.

Latisha attended grade school in the South Panola School District, where she graduated in May 1996. She then attended Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, MS, where she received an Associate of Arts Degree. She graduated with honors (Phi Theta Kappa) in May 1998. Next, Latisha attended Mississippi State University in Mississippi State, MS, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree. She graduated with honors (Magna Cum Laude) in May 2000. She received her Master of Education degree from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ, where she graduated with honors in October 2010. Latisha is also overwhelmingly thankful that she was not born in a time in which she was privy to segregation and the harsh realities of poverty and extreme racial tensions as her parents and grandparents were. The stories were so powerful and impactful to Latisha that she and her grandmother, Marie Towns Oliver, decided to write a biography entitled, 83 Years in the South, which is a compilation of her grandmother's historv and experiences living in Mississippi. Once Latisha graduated from Mississippi State University, she moved to North Hollywood, CA, where she was hired as an Extra on the television sitcom, My Wife and Kids. Although the role of an Extra did not afford her the airtime in which she desired, she had the privilege to meet and consistently share the same spaces with well-known entertainers and actors.

In 2002, Latisha was sitting in her living room, in herapartment in North Hollywood, when she began to think of home and of moving back home, so that she could have a consistent hand in raising her son, as he was still living in Mississippi with her mother. After months of pondering the move, she made the decision to return to Mississippi. It seemed as if it was instantaneous that her mother began to have on- going conversations with Latisha about securing a job in the field of education. She would also remind Latisha of how she believes that Latisha is meant to be a teacher. Latisha's mother's words eventuallv sparked a fire inside of Latisha, and in 2003, Latisha applied for and was given the opportunity to serve as Biology teacher in the North Panola School District in Sardis, MS, where 99 percent of her students were African American and over 85 percent of them were poverty stricken. Due to Latisha's unique teaching styles and unorthodox teaching methods, her students scored amongst the highest, annually, on the Biology state test. Something that had never been accomplished before in this school district. Indeed, Latisha's mother was right; teaching was Latisha's calling and career niche.

In 2010, Latisha transitioned to the Quitman County School District in Marks, MS, where she served as Special Education Itinerant/Inclusion teacher until 2016, where she began her tenure as the school district's Special Education Director. Working with students with disabilities has proven to be a humbling yet meaningful experience for Latisha. Her plans to continue to ensure that students with disabilities have a fair chance at meeting their goals in life is one of Latisha's career commitments. In 2018, Quitman County School District ranked No. 3 in the State of Mississippi for producing the highest number of students with disabilities to graduate with a Traditional High School Diploma. This is quite an accomplishment and one of the first of its kind for this school district.

In 2018, Latisha also became one of the eight Mediators and IEP Facilitators for the state of Mississippi, a position in which she presently holds. In this position, she is afforded the opportunity to work with school districts, parents, and students with disabilities across the state of Mississippi in increasing their knowledge of Special Education.

Longing to become a part of a society much larger than herself in which she could work with other likeminded individuals in an effort to continue to make positive differences in the lives of others, was an opportunity in which Latisha searched far and wide. Then in 2007, she found just that. Latisha discovered an organization whose mission and purpose matched her very own, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Latisha Rudd Boothe may not have all of the accolades as many others; she may not have the acronyms in the front and in the back of her name; however, she is very proud of her past and her present, and she is excitedly looking forward to her future. She has made and is continuing to make positive and life changing differences in the lives of many, and in the words of encouragement that Latisha often shares with the young people in which she encounters, ``The Best is Yet to Come.''

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Latisha Rudd Boothe for her dedication to serving her community and this great state.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Stanley Lang.

Pastor Stanley Lang is the oldest son of 7 children. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Rosie and Charlie Lang. Presently, he is the Industrial Training Coordinator for Coahoma Community College, in Clarksdale, MS, and Pastor of the local community church for the past 26 years. He has held other jobs in his career including Director of the Montessori School in Jonestown, MS; Lead counselor for offenders in the Mississippi's penitentiary; Supervising Social Worker for the Department of Children Services in Memphis; and 4th grade teacher at Norris Elementary in Memphis, TN. He was recently selected to serve as Board Alderman for the Town of Marks in the absence of a member who passed.

Stanley possesses (3) Master degrees- in Child Protection, Pre-school Education and Leadership. Recently, he completed a period as the Dislocated Workers Coordinator, where he worked with City Aldermen to get the city of Marks a grocery store, formerly a food desert; and provided the store with ready employee who completed his employment training two weeks program. He is recognized amongst family, his community, and his colleagues as a man of integrity, service, compassion, and outstanding spirit. He regularly attends, serve, and Minister at the Anderson Street Community Church of Christ, Marks, MS.

Stanley attended and graduated from the then Quitman County High school (1980).

He attended Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, MS, as a Sociology Major. For a few years after graduating from Mississippi Valley State University, Stanley worked as a manager for McDonalds, Pizza Hut, and Krystal's while simultaneously working for the Department of Correction in Parchman, MS.

Stanley enrolled in graduate school at Nova Southeastern University in 2009. He also worked as a teacher at Norris Elementary School in Memphis, TN. After 23 years in

Memphis, Tennessee, Stanley returned to Marks to be closer to his ailing grandmother and family.

In 2016, Stanley was hired as the Director of the Montessori school in Jonestown, MS. In 2018, he was hired as GED/BASIC skills instructor for Coahoma Community College (Adult Basic Education Program). During the next several years, Stanley would be promoted to Dislocated Workers Coordinator and then Industrial Training Coordinator. Stanley is County Team Leader at Coahoma Community College/Adult Basic Education Program and served on many planning boards including some in Coahoma and Quitman Counties.

In 2019, Stanley was chosen as the chairperson for the Quitman County Democratic party. Although he no longer holds that position, he is still involved. Stanley is currently working on pursuing his Doctorate in Leadership in August 2023.

Although he excelled in his employment, Stanley aspires to become more involved in his community as a pastor and public servant.

Stanley is married to Ontania Wane'ka Lang (27 years of joyful marriage). He has 3 children (Stanika, Pedro and Rashad), all live in North Mississippi area.

Stanley's leadership, passion, dedication, reliability, and service have made him synonymous with being one of the best community leaders in the state of Mississippi. When all is said and done, Stanley is recognized for his service to God, his family, his country, his community, and the people that seek his help.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Pastor Stanley Lang for his dedication to serving this great state and country.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor an impeccable and self-motivated leader, Timaka James-Jones. Timaka currently serves as the Circuit Clerk & Registrar Chief Elections Officer in Humphreys County, Mississippi. She has been a champion and a leader of service and dedication to our great state.

First, in March 1998, Timaka was appointed First African American Female Justice Court Judge by the Board of Supervisors to serve the remainder of the vacated term and position then held by the Hon. Wayne Holloway of the Southern Judicial District in Humphreys County, Mississippi.

Then, in January 1999, she was elected as the First African American Female Justice Court Judge representing Humphreys County. Later in January 2003, she was elected as the First African American Female Circuit Clerk in Humphreys County, MS.

The office of Circuit Clerk has evolved in many aspects. In the first year of her tenure, she implemented SEMS, (which is the Statewide Election Management System), the student intern poll-worker's program, and a professional development guide to improve the overall effectiveness of leadership for local elected/appointed officials. She and her staff has developed a maturing relationship in voter education and outreach with the Humphreys County Board of Supervisors, the Humphreys County public and private schools, as well as several other local and statewide political entities. She has diligently worked to promote more voter registration update awareness and, certainly, more African American election voter participation.

Lastly, Timaka's office works, in concert, with the Humphreys County Board of Supervisors and any other entities necessary to promote and provide better opportunities for economic and social developments.

In June 2007, Timaka was appointed by MS Supreme Court Chief Justice, the Honorable Jess Dickinson to the MS Access to Justice Commission. This commission formed to identify the current and future needs of the legal services communities, as well as developing a strategic statewide plan for the delivery of legal services to the poor in Mississippi.

Timaka has committee memberships and affiliations of the following:

Member of Mississippi Circuit Clerk's Association;

Mississippi Election Commission Association-Associate Member;

Active Member of Mississippi Legislative Action Committee of

Circuit Clerks; Current Member of the Federal U.S. Election

Assistance Commission and Standards Board; Former Member

National Judicial Association; Former Member of the

Mississippi Center for Worker's Rights, Director Sandra

``Jaribu'' Hill; American Judicial Association-Past Member;

Improved Benevolent & Protective Order of the Elks of the

World Hill Temple No. 783, Belzoni, MS; Delta Sigma Theta

Sorority, Inc. Yazoo City Alumnae Chapter, currently serves

as Chapter President; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc-

Greenville (MS) Alumnae Chapter; and Past 1st Vice President

2012-2014.

Timaka is married to Marvin Jones (28 years married), Alderman for the City of Belzoni, MS, who is also a retired Transportation Director HCSD. They have two daughters--Ms. Sylvia LaSarah, 8th Grade Science Teacher, at McNair Middle School, and Mrs. Gabriel Nicole Harrington, Sergeant United State Army; one son-n-law, TiQuay Harrington, Sergeant United States Army; and one Bouncy Grandbaby Girl, Miss Melonie Rose Harrington.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Timaka James-Jones for her leadership, service, and dedication to Humphreys County and the State of Mississippi.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and innovative gentleman, Dr. John M. Perkins.

Dr. John Perkins (91-June 16, 1930) has been married to his wife, Dr. Vera Mae, for over 71 years (1951). In 1983, while in California, John and Vera Mae, along with his family and a few friends and other major supporters, established the John M. Perkins Foundation for Reconciliation & Development (now called John and Vera Mae Perkins Foundation) for the sole purpose of supporting their mission of advancing the principles of Christian community development (CCD) and Reconciliation throughout the world. The Foundation is now headed by his three daughters, Elizabeth, Priscilla and Deborah Perkins, who function as Co-Presidents. The Foundation is committed to spreading the wholistic Gospel of Jesus Christ.

John M. Perkins was born in 1930, a sharecropper's son who grew up in New Hebron, Mississippi amidst dire poverty. His mother died of a malnutrition disease called Pellagra when John was only 7 months old. Fleeing to California at age 17 after his older brother's murder at the hands of a town marshal, he vowed never to return. However after his conversion to Christianity in 1957 and three-year discipleship, he and his young family returned to his home State of Mississippi in 1960 to share the Good News of God's love. While in Mississippi, his outspoken nature, as well as his support and leadership in Civil Rights demonstrations and voter registrations, resulted in repeated harassments, beatings and imprisonments.

Drs. John and Vera Mae Perkins, with the support of friends, have founded many ministries, which focus on Christian community development, multi-ethnic church planting, health care, education, leadership development, legal assistant, thrift stores, low-income housing development, and training centers.

1960--Voice of Calvary Ministries (Now Mendenhall Ministries in Mendenhall, MS)

1972--Voice of Calvary Ministries, Jackson, MS

1978--Christian Community Health Fellowship (CCHF) Memphis, TN

1982--Harambee Christian Family Center, Pasadena, CA (now Harambee Ministries)

1983--John M. Perkins Foundation (now John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation)

1989--Christian Community Development Association (CCDA), Chicago, IL

1995--Harambee Preparatory School, Pasadena, CA

1999--Spencer Perkins Center, Jackson, MS (now the home of The John & Vera Mae Perkins Foundation)

In 1982, the Perkins family returned to California and lived in the city of Pasadena where Perkins and his wife founded Harambee Ministries in Northwest Pasadena, a neighborhood that had one of the highest daytime crime rates in California. Harambee Ministries is yet standing, running numerous programs including after-school tutoring, Good News Bible Clubs, an award-winning technology center, summer day camp, youth internship programs, and a college scholarship program called Harambee Preparatory School (HPS).

In 1989, John Perkins called together a group of Christian leaders from across America that was bonded by one significant commitment-- expressing the love of Christ in America's poor communities, not at arm's length, but at the grass-roots level. An association was formed and the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA) held its first annual national conference in Chicago in 1989. CCDA has grown frm 37 founding members to 3,500 annual national conference attendees.

Despite being a third grade drop-out, Perkins has been recognized for his work with seventeen (17) honorary doctorates from colleges and universities across the country. Wheaton College bestowed his first Honorary Doctor of Law in 1980; Taylor University in 2015; Millsaps College in 2018; and Wesley Biblical Seminary being the most recent in 2022.

In 2005, Seattle Pacific University established. The John Perkins Center for Reconciliation & Justice. Since then, Dr. Perkins has been honored with Perkins Endowed Fellowships, Perkins Endowed Scholarships, Perkins Houses, Perkins Dorm Floor, and/or John M. Perkins Chair at: Calvin University, Northern Seminary, Wheaton College, University of Virginia, New Orleans Baptist Seminary, Indiana Wesley Seminary, Jackson State University, Wake Forest Divinity, and Moody Bible Institute.

Dr. Perkins is an international speaker and teacher on reconciliation, leadership, and the philosophy of ministry known as Christian Community Development (CCD). he has served under five (5) United States Presidents. He is proud to have honorably served his country in the Korean War.

Dr. Perkins is a best-selling author who has authored 17 books including his classic autobiography Let Justice Roll Down (Baker Books, 20212, revised update), With Justice For All (Baker Books, 2011, revised update), Leadership Revolution: Developing the Vision & Practice of Freedom & Justice (Baker Books, 2012), A Quiet Revolution (Marshalls, 1985, revised update), Making Neighborhoods Whole: a Handbook for Christian Community Development (IVP Books, 2013), and Do All Lives Matter (Baker Books, 2017), Dream With Me (Baker Books, 2017). His 3-part manifesto, One Blood (Moody Publications, 2018) is an Amazon #1 Best Seller-Christian Leadership; He Calls Me Friend (Moody Publications, 2019); and most recent release is Count It All Joy (Moody Publications, 2021).

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. John M. Perkins for his remarkable work.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and exceptional student, Caden D. Nelson.

Caden Nelson was born July 10, 2006, in Greenville, Mississippi. He is currently in the 11th grade at O'Bannon High School. He is among a family of 10 siblings, but grew up in a household of 4--his sister, Haley; his dad, David; his mom, Alicia; and himself. His mom is an educator, as she has been an educator for 20 years. His dad is a veteran, who has served in the military for over 20 years, and he is the pastor at Bethlehem MB Church. Haley is a student in middle school.

Growing up, Caden had to realize a lot of things, one was being born with a condition called albinism, which is a lack of pigment in the skin that can also affect the eyesight. Growing up wasn't easy. He couldn't see all that well and he struggled in many subjects because of his lack of vision. Caden was blessed to have amazing people in his life to sacrifice their time and assist him.

With the help of teachers and family, he was able to accomplish many things like passing the 3rd grade reading gate, along with having the highest scores in his class. This memory stands out and made Caden happy because growing up he was insecure, with no confidence in himself.

Once in high school, Caden started to grow and became more sociable. He gives credit to God for having a chance to be introduced to many opportunities in his community. He joined the Mayor's Youth Council in Greenville, MS. He made many friends and got to see how the community really works. ``How amazingly warm, it felt to be a part of a community like this one,'' said Caden. He got a chance to go to Mississippi State University this summer to learn about physics. Also, he recently got the position as Lieutenant Governor for Mississippi Youth Council.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Caden Nelson for his passion, dedication for success, and desire to make a difference in the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of En Bloc No. 4, which contains a number of provisions that the Committee on Homeland Security has advanced in a bipartisan manner.

I am pleased that it includes Amendment No. 390 that contains the text of H.R. 903, the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2022, as passed by the House in May.

Under TSA's current personnel system, the agency regularly ranks at, or near, the bottom of the annual Federal employee satisfaction surveys and suffers from high attrition.

The most recent Inspector General analysis of employee turnover revealed that in a single year, TSA spent roughly $16 million on hiring and training nearly 2,000 people who left just months after they got the job.

Such costly and disruptive turnover risks hampering security operations and must be addressed meaningfully.

My amendment seeks to attract and retain a mature and stable workforce within TSA by placing the agency under the Federal personnel system set forth in title 5 of the U.S. Code.

Getting the TSA workforce under the personnel system under which most other Federal employees operate has been a priority for many of us for decades. The unprecedented support by the Biden administration has significantly improved prospects for getting this done. And this amendment's inclusion in the NDAA provides an opportunity to engage with our Senate partners in a timely way.

Additionally, I am pleased that En Bloc No. 4 includes Amendment No. 420 that I filed with Rep. John Katko of New York, the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security. It contains the text of 25 bipartisan homeland security measures that the House had previously approved.

These measures would strengthen community security, improve Department of Homeland Security acquisitions and supply chains, and enhance DHS operations. The bipartisan amendment includes provisions to increase funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program from $75 million to $500 million for each fiscal year through 2028, reform the way DHS procures uniforms issued to Department frontline personnel by encouraging the procurement of domestically sourced items by U.S. small businesses, reauthorize the U.S. Secret Service's National Computer Forensics Institute, authorize a one-stop screening process for certain arriving international travelers, and authorize grants to carry out the Cybersecurity Education and Training Assistance Program, or CETAP--a program to strengthen K-12 cybersecurity education.

I am also pleased that the en bloc includes a measure (Amendment No. 526) authored by Rep. Al Green of Texas to bolster the authorities and operations of the Department's Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Office.

Finally, I am delighted to have the support of Rep. Peter DeFazio of Oregon, the Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure

Committee, on Amendment No. 441, which is also included in the en bloc package and seeks to support the Federal Emergency Management Agency in its efforts to instill equity as a foundation of emergency management. Studies have found that low-income communities, rural areas, racial minorities, tribes, individuals with disabilities, seniors, and children are all more likely to experience the most devastating impacts of disasters. Yet, many in these communities and groups face an uphill battle to navigate the complicated Federal assistance processes. With hurricane season underway and wildfires wreaking havoc on communities big and small, passage of my amendment is very timely.

I thank Committee on Armed Services Chairman Adam Smith of Washington and his staff for their partnership with me and my staff throughout this entire process. Looking ahead, I am eager to work with the Senate to get these important provisions in the final NDAA package and on the President's desk.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Memorial Highway Sign of Lieutenant Troy Morris.

Lieutenant Morris served the Mississippi Highway Patrol (MHP) for over 27 years. He became a Mississippi Highway Patrolman then was promoted to Lieutenant of Troop M in Brookhaven, MS. Lieutenant Morris was also employed with the United States Postal Services for approximately 16 years. He was shot and killed by an assailant in the early morning hours of August 7, 2020.

On Tuesday, March 29, 2022, Central Transportation Commissioner Willie Simmons joined officials to dedicate a segment of U.S. Highway 61 in Jefferson County as the ``Highway Patrol Lieutenant Troy Morris Memorial Highway.''

During the 2021 legislative session, House Bill No. 872 was signed into law, designating a segment of U.S. Highway 61 located in Jefferson County, beginning at the Town of Fayette, and extending northerly for one mile, as the ``Highway Patrol Lieutenant Troy Morris Memorial Highway.''

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the late Lieutenant Troy Morris for his amazing dedication, hard work and legacy he has left behind to his family, friends, colleagues, and Mississippi, especially the Second Congressional District.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Fire Chief Carmen Brocks from Flora, Mississippi.

A 1986 graduate of Provine High School, she furthered her education at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1990. Throughout her young adult life, Ms. Brocks was very active in sports and was known as a kind, caring, friendly and compassionate individual. Not long after college, she decided to attend the Jackson Fire Academy to become a firefighter with much encouragement from her family. She also completed the course work with a B.S. Degree in Fire Administration at Columbia Southern University.

In November 1993, Ms. Brocks began her career as a Firefighter I at the Jackson Fire Department and graduated as a Firefighter II in 1994.

After 9 months, Ms. Brocks started climbing the ladder with the fire services, when she completed the requirements and successfully passed the exam to become a Relief Driver Operator. In 1998, she was promoted as the 1st female in the emergency services division to become Lieutenant under the leadership and supervision of, then, Captain Willie Owens. Ms. Brocks still kept striving in her professional career as the first female in the emergency services division to become Captain. In 2010, she became the first female District Chief, which she held for 8 years. In March of 2018, District Chief Brocks was appointed to Division Fire Chief of the Emergency Service Division under the leadership of Fire Chief Willie Owens.

Chief Brocks has blazed the trail for any African-American female who may want to follow in her appointment as Division Fire Chief. That also goes for any female who may want to follow in her footsteps. Chief Brocks truly believes, ``to achieve anything, it requires faith, belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication.''

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Fire Chief Carmen Brocks for her dedication to serving.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and self-motivated leader, Mr. Johnny Lee Reynolds, Jr. Mr. Reynolds has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve success.

Mr. Reynolds received the Vicksburg Post Volunteer of the week for his volunteer services with United Way of West Central Mississippi as part of their Community Investment Committee.

Mr. Reynolds said he has volunteered his whole life because it was instilled in him as a part of his family support. He also stated that, ``volunteering makes you of a part of your community.''

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Johnny Lee Reynolds, Jr. for his passion and dedication to serve Warren County.