Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Alcorn State University on their 150th anniversary.

Founded in 1871, Alcorn State University is the oldest historically Black land-grant institution in the United States and the second-oldest supported institution of higher learning in the State of Mississippi.

Alcorn State University is one of the most important institutions to nurture and develop African Americans. Alcorn has laid the foundation for many professionals by giving them a valued education. Their mission is to intellectually develop young Americans, produce graduates to be lifelong learners, prepare them to be well-rounded leaders of high character, while equipping them with the necessary skills to be successful in a global marketplace.

Alcorn's vision is to develop diverse students into globally competitive leaders that will benefit communities, States, nations, and the world. I know Alcorn State University will continue to provide students with the tools they need to claim success.

As Alcorn celebrates its 150th anniversary, their reservation is well-suited for many more successful years.

Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity today to recognize the importance of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Kazakhstan. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the United States, on December 25, 1991, was the first country to recognize Kazakhstan's independence. Thereafter, the Clinton Administration facilitated the entry of Kazakh oil to the world market via the CPC export pipeline. American companies were the first to enter the Kazakh economy but were soon pushed aside from the most attractive projects, such as Chinese companies which have invariably won international tenders for privatized assets.

I rise today to express my growing concern over an article published by author Tom Burgis. The article contains information surrounding leaked documents that indicate the former Kazakh president's son-in- law, Timur Kulibayev, designed a scheme that would result in him receiving tens of millions of dollars from contracts related to a multibillion-dollar gas pipeline between Central Asia and China.

The Asia Gas Pipeline project was to accelerate a shift of economic power from the West to the East. Built jointly by Kazakhstan and China, these pipelines would stretch around 2000 miles and be funded by Chinese loans. ``The first two lines would cost $7.5bn, with a third to follow for some $3bn and a fourth after that.''

Author Tom Burgis states, ``Mr. Kulibayev, who has served on the Russian energy giant's board since 2011, is the son-in-law of the former Kazakh president and has wide-ranging business interests, from banking to mining and real estate. As one of the most powerful officials in the country, he oversaw the state companies that awarded contracts to build the pipelines across Kazakhstan. Emails sent between 2008 and 2014 and leaked by a whistleblower contain detailed descriptions of a set-up that it appears would allow Mr. Kulibayev to receive a share of the profits from pipeline contracts granted to ETK, a company owned by Russian businessman Alexander Karmanov.''

This is not Timur Kulibayev's first time coming to the attention of the West. In 2007, it was revealed that he was the mystery buyer of a multimillion-dollar Sunninghill Park estate that the Queen had given Prince Andrew as a wedding present. He also has faced money-laundering allegations in a Swiss case, which was eventually dropped.

The United States currently spends about $115 million a year on global anti-corruption programs. Unfortunately, many of the funds we put toward anti-corruption efforts get trapped in multi-year technical programs that are unable to respond nimbly to sudden opportunities for governance reform. If the United States does intervene, authoritarian kleptocrats will gain ground. The United States needs to be proactive in developing strategic relationships and agile programs that will keep us relevant in moments of historic opportunity.

Recently, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), incoming Chair of the U.S. Helsinki Commission and Co-Chair, respectively, introduced the Countering Russian and Other Overseas Kleptocracy (CROOK) Act to upgrade America's anti-corruption efforts by targeting kleptocracy at the source. The CROOK Act would create an anticorruption action fund to help activists leverage public sentiment to achieve lasting reform, without any additional cost to taxpayers. The fund would be financed through a $5 million surcharge on entities found liable for $50 million or more in criminal fines and penalties under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Based on data from the last 10 years, this bill would put an additional $16 million per year toward global anti-corruption work. Funds would continue to accrue until a historic window of opportunity opens, at which point funds would be rapidly deployed to help establish the rule of law.

Fighting corruption is an imperative for the United States. As a beacon of liberty and the rule of law, it is our duty and the purest expression of our values. It is also a highly practical form of soft power that advances our national security. As Kazakhstan is aspiring to be a strategic partner of the United States, I call on my colleagues to join me in urging the Biden Administration to review this case of kleptocracy and corrupt officials from Kazakhstan and assure that it will be included in our Government's discussions regarding this important part of the world.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable individual, Mrs. Eula V. Polk, on her 109th Birthday.

Eula was one of ten children, born to Richard and Frankie Owens-Brown in Terry, MS, on May 24, 1912.

She grew up working on her family farm where they grew their own food. They had cattle, chicken, turkeys, geese, hogs and various vegetables. They would use spring water for drinking and cooking and rainwater for bathing and washing clothes. Her family washed clothes on a wooden washboard and boiled the white clothes on a potbelly stove until they were ready to hang outside on their picket fence to dry.

On Christmas, as a little girl, she would receive grass dolls, apples, oranges, sticks of candy, and raisins. She was always thankful and happy for her gifts.

Whether it was raining, hot, or cold, she walked to church and school. On Saturdays, she would go to the local store to buy a stick of candy for 1 cent and ice cream for 5 cents. If she was walking on the sidewalk, in town, and met a white person, she would have to get off to let them pass by before continuing on her way. Around five o'clock every evening, a bell would ring notifying black people they'd have to leave town. Upon hearing the bell, she would head home.

Life was good to Eula until she grew older and learned that there was a grave distinction between the races.

She attended Terry Grove Church School, Pilgrim Rest Church School, and Lanier High School where she completed her education.

In 1921, She united with Little Bethel CME Church in Terry, MS where she remains a member. The older she got she began to understand the meaning of service within the church. Eula proudly served as a Sunday school teacher, secretary, treasurer, usher, and choir member for twenty-five years. She also served as a stewardess and a missionary president.

Eula served her community district as a treasurer, zone leader, stewardess, and worship leader. She has served countless times as a conference delegate for her church.

In 1940, she was united in holy matrimony to Eddie Lee Polk. Together they raised two children, Willie James and Moses Lee.

Since 1949, she has been a member of the Heroines of Jericho, Grand Lodge 353. In May 2012, she received an honorary doctorate from Mt. Eva Foundation Theological Seminary in Terry, MS.

On her 100th birthday, she received birthday greetings from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Eula is blessed that God has allowed her to see fourteen grandchildren, thirty-five great grandchildren and eleven great-great grandchildren.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Eula V. Polk on her 109th Birthday.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Natasha Lewis.

Ms. Lewis graduated on April 29, 2021, obtaining her Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Mississippi. Ms. Lewis is originally from Port Gibson, Mississippi and is a graduate of Port Gibson High School, Class of 2013.

While at the University of Mississippi, Ms. Lewis was a Lucky Day Scholar and received numerous professional certifications--IPE Naloxone Training, delivering MTM services, Pharmacy-Centered Diabetes Care, Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery and Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification. Ms. Lewis' professional leadership, honors and awards include serving as Community Services Chair SNPhA, Pharmacy Ambassador, the nominating Committee Chair of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, 2nd Vice President of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the recipient of the Walgreen Diversity Scholarship.

Ms. Lewis served as a Pharmacy Intern at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, as well as the CVS Pharmacy in Oxford. She is the daughter of Mrs. Norma Thompson-Lewis of Port Gibson, MS, and Mr. Joseph Lewis of Boston, MA. Ms. Lewis is the twin sister to Natalie Lewis who received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baptist College of Health Science and is currently a Traveling Nurse.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Natasha Lewis for her passion and dedication for success and desire to make a difference in the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and ambitious young woman, Ms. Delancy Anderson. Delancy has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to achieve her goals.

Yazoo City, Mississippi native, Delancy Anderson is a pre-veterinary medicine major who has been on the President's List every semester. She is also a Dean's ACT Scholarship recipient, Cheerleading Scholarship recipient, Freshman Cheer Award recipient and winner of the Scholar Athlete Award for 2019-2020. Anderson was voted a Class Favorite as both a freshman and a sophomore. She is active on campus as a cheerleader, Phi Theta Kappa member, MOSAIC member and Baptist Student Union member. Anderson is also part of Ebenezer Baptist Church Connect.

Her plans upon graduating from Holmes Community College are to transfer to Mississippi State University to complete her undergraduate studies in pre-veterinary medicine. Anderson plans to apply to MSU's Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program with the hopes of being selected as 1 of the 31 students accepted. To ensure she has chosen the right field for her, Anderson has shadowed her local veterinarians in Yazoo City and Flora, Mississippi.

Her community involvement/service includes: Deep South Cheer Competition staff, MOSAIC Student Support Services tutor, math and chemistry tutor/work-study, Holmes Cheer Stunt Clinic staff, Special Olympics staff, Major

Experience volunteer, Freshman Friday volunteer and volunteering for the Goodman Tobacco Free Coalition--College Chapter.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Delancy Anderson for her passion and dedication for success and desire to make a difference in the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable hero, Lin Jeffrey Riley, Sr.

Raised in Senatobia, Mississippi (Tate County), Lin Jeffrey Riley, became the seventh child of Daisy Mae Riley and L.V. Coppage, born July 29, 1966. He found his calling late in life as the founder and organizer of the Marks Youth Outreach, Inc. Season after season, he lends his muscle to the Marks 49ers Athletic Programs.

``Coach Riley'', as he is known, has always been athletic, lively, outgoing, and creative. He was an outstanding student/athlete during his high school years. Coach Riley currently holds the top record for ``Most Quarterback Sacks'' in a single game at Senatobia High School. For three years consecutively, he received the Hawks Award for most forced and recovered fumbles, quarterback sacks, and pass interceptions.

After relocating to Quitman County in 1997, Riley worked several jobs. He operated Riley's Hand Car Wash and Detail Shop and coached football at the Quitman County Middle School and Madison Shannon Palmer High School. It was during those times when he got an eyeful and earful of recreational activities needed for the youth of this area. Because of Riley's initiative, enthusiasm, willingness and time for these youth, the Marks Youth Outreach Program, Inc. was founded and organized.

Having healthy, educated youth with Christian values is very vital for this county. Likewise, Coach Riley is at the top of the game working daily to ensure that these values are instilled in the youth of this community. But make no mistake he says, ``Success was anything but instant''.

A community baseball team was the initial beginning and from that other sports programs emerged--football, basketball, tee ball, cheerleading, and now kickball and flag football have been added. Riley credits the program's success to God and lives by the scripture: ``With God all things are possible . . .'' (Mathew 19:26).

Surviving 3 major strokes, Riley stills coaches and mentors countless of youth and has no plans on stopping anytime soon. On November 7, 2020, a field dedication ceremony was held in his honor. The football field is named Lin Riley Field, located in Marks, MS.

On February 28, 2015, Lin married his wife Tracey Hankins-Riley and is the father of Lindez Wright, Terrell Wright, Travis McAdory, Kevon Taylor, Trinity Taylor, Lance Johnson, King Lin Jeffery Riley, Jr., Lakendrick Ware and Tommy Ware. He is a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Marks, MS.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Lin Jeffrey Riley for he is the epitome of an unsung hero.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a remarkable individual, the late Dr. Alfred Arrington.

Dr. Alfred Arrington began his earthly life on Feb. 3, 1943, in Laurel, Mississippi. The son of Mr. Olen Arrington Sr. and Mrs. Johnnie Mae (Morgan) Arrington, he was the third child in a family of five children.

On March 26, 1967, he married the love of his life, Josie Howard of Cleveland, Mississippi, and to this union, four children were born.

Alfred accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at a very early age. He often testified to how the spiritual teachings at Pleasant Valley Missionary Baptist Church in Laurel inspired his devotion to God. On Tuesday, April 20, 2021, Dr. Alfred Arrington completed his final chapter in his earthly life journey.

In the fall of 1962, Alfred enrolled at Alcorn Agriculture and Mechanical College in Lorman, Mississippi. He graduated in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education with a minor in biology. In 1964, he was initiated into Alcorn's Gamma Pi Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated. In 1970, Alfred continued his quest for excellence and earned a Master of Arts in education from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1975, he proudly earned a doctorate in education from Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Alfred's profound career as an educator spanned beyond borders, and his diligence as a public servant was immeasurable. Professionally, his exceptional background allowed him to serve as assistant principal, head football coach and director of athletics in Lake Providence, Louisiana; research assistant to the dean of education at Tennessee State University; assistant to the dean for minority affairs and instructor at Oklahoma State University; visiting professor of anatomy and physiology at Delta State University; assistant vice president for academic affairs in the Office of Provost, vice president for academic affairs in the Office of Provost and chairman of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department at Mississippi Valley State University; and adjunct professor and academic consultant at Alcorn State University.

Dr. Alfred Arrington leaves his cherished memories to his loving wife of 54 years, Dr. Josie Howard-Arrington of Greenwood; a son, William Davis of Laurel; three daughters, Dr. Wandra Arrington of Vicksburg, Mississippi, Margaret Michelle Arrington of Atlanta, Georgia and Eulette Denise (Jesse) Harris of Chicago, Illinois; a devoted sister, Luella (Jonas) Hardy of Laurel, Mississippi; eight grandchildren, Sydney D. Warren of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Jordan K. Warren of Montgomery, Alabama, Michael V. Harris and Mason M. Harris, both of Chicago, Illinois, William L. Davis Jr. and William A. Davis Jr., both of Laurel, Mississippi, Taakanesha Davis of Laurel, Mississippi and Erica Martin of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; a godson, Rommell Isaac of Conyers, Georgia; a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great- grandchildren, other relatives, family and friends.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life of the late Dr. Alfred Arrington, in which he was a faithful community leader, worker and motivator.

Madam Speaker, I include in the Record an exchange of letters between the Committee on Homeland Security and the Committee on the Budget on H.R. 396, the ``Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act''.

House of Representatives,

Committee on the Budget,

Washington, DC, April 7, 2021.

Hon. Bennie G. Thompson,

Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security,

House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Thompson: I write to confirm our mutual

understanding regarding H.R. 396, the Transit Security Grant

Program Flexibility Act. H.R. 396 contains provisions that

fall within the rule X jurisdiction of the Committee on the

Budget. However, the committee agrees to waive formal

consideration of the bill.

The Committee on the Budget takes this action with the

mutual understanding that we do not waive any jurisdiction

over the subject matter contained in this or similar

legislation, and the committee will be appropriately

consulted and involved as the bill or similar legislation

moves forward so that we may address any remaining issues

within our jurisdiction. The committee also reserves the

right to seek appointment to any House-Senate conference

convened on this legislation or similar legislation and

requests your support if such a request is made.

Finally, I would appreciate your response to this letter

confirming this understanding, and I ask that a copy of our

exchange of letters on this matter be included in the

Congressional Record during floor consideration of the bill.

I look forward to continuing to work with you as this measure

moves through the legislative process.

Sincerely,

John Yarmuth,

Chairman.

Madam Speaker, I appreciate the gentlewoman allowing me to talk about my friend, Alcee Hastings.

Madam Speaker, Alcee Hastings to a lot of us, is what we call a Renaissance man. When you knew Alcee, you knew somebody who knew exactly what he was talking about at all times. I carried Alcee Hastings to the Second District of Mississippi a number of times. You know, for a Florida boy, he could have been a Mississippi boy. He knew Bobby Rush, the blues singer. He knew how to go to catfish fries. He could just about adapt to any situation. But Alcee Hastings, more importantly, provided significant direction and guidance to a number of us who came to this body.

Madam Speaker, so today I rise to pay a special tribute to a close and dear friend that I shared many memories with: The Honorable Congressman Alcee Hastings.

Alcee was a champion civil rights legend, who served the people of Florida and this country for over 28 years as a Member of Congress. He dedicated his life to uplifting and empowering his constituents, colleagues, and our Nation. All of us have at least one Alcee Hastings story. Some of us have two or three or more Alcee Hastings stories, and they all are memorable.

All through my district, he was one of those individuals who people wanted to know what was Alcee Hastings like. And the only thing I can tell you is you have to meet him because you really can't describe him. The dictionary doesn't provide enough adjectives to give you who he is, but that is the kind of person Alcee Hastings was.

To Patricia and the kids: We all miss him. Absolutely, I know that all of you will miss him, too.

You know, I wonder what Alcee would be saying to us right now. I have a good idea. And he probably would say: ``Look, I don't have time for all that noise. Get on with the business of helping our people.''

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a valiant woman, the late Mrs. Viola Johnson Clark. Viola had a dedication and desire to serve others.

She was born September 14, 1934 in Cary, Mississippi to James Johnson and Katie Brown. Viola was blessed to be a wife, mother of seven and grandmother and great grandmother.

Viola's motto was ``Get an education'' because there is power in knowledge and no one can take it away from you, ``It's your way out''. She instilled this motto everywhere she went with everybody she met no matter the color, never meeting a stranger. Viola's motto led her to earn her GED certificate from Mary

Holmes Junior College as well as several college hours towards her bachelor's degree.

Because of her love for people she worked tirelessly with the Civil Rights Movement as a self-appointed Civil Rights Activist along with other notables; Unita Blackwell the first black mayor of Mayersville, MS and Fannie Lou Hammer, to coordinate voting drives, community projects, and family assistance programs in her community. Viola and her mother also opened the doors of their homes to accommodate freedom riders in the delta when no one else was willing or was afraid to do so.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in posthumously recognizing Mrs. Viola Johnson Clark for her passion and dedication to serving Sharkey and Issaquena counties and desire to make a difference in the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Jesse Turner Morris, Jr. Jessie Turner Morris, Jr. was a civil rights activist. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on February 8, 1937 to Amanda Louise Wooten Morris and Jesse Turner Morris. In the early part of his life the family lived in Wilmington, Delaware. Jesse would later move to Los Angeles, California where he graduated from Polytechnic High School. Mr. Morris' love for math led him to obtain a BS degree in Economics from UCLA, where he was a member of the swim team. He furthered his education by obtaining a master's degree in Agricultural Economics from Iowa State University. In the early 1960s Mr. Morris moved to Jackson, Mississippi and began in earnest his work to empower Black southerners working with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO). Through his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, Mr. Morris met Euvester Simpson, with whom he had a 22-year marriage and five children. Black institution building was one of his long-term goals, and in 1966, Mr. Morris helped establish the Poor People's Cooperative, which provided loans and assistance to poor people to start cooperative businesses and actualize a life beyond the limitations of the racist system of sharecropping. Mr. Morris commitment to Black empowerment was unwavering and continued long after the Movement ended. Mr. Morris served as director of the Emergency Land Fund for 15 years continuing the work that initially brought him to Mississippi, fighting to prevent Black people from losing their land. During this time, he served on the Editorial Board of The Review of Black Political Economy. In 1984, Mr. Morris became the first Executive Director of the Mississippi Food Bank, a clearinghouse for food for charitable organizations in central Mississippi. In later years, he worked with the U.N.I.Teaching Youth program and volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for children, while continuing to support voter registration efforts and initiatives to preserve civil rights history. Mr. Morris loved a good joke or prank and was always an advocate of Black self-determination. Mr. Morris is survived by his children, Earl Morris (Natilyn), Orlando Morris (Trish), and Omar Morris of Jackson, Mississippi, Tiyi Morris (Judson L. Jeffries) of Westerville, Ohio, and Jessica Morris (Thomas Anderson) of Coconut Creek, Florida.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the late civil rights activist Mr. Jesse Turner Morris, Jr.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of a remarkable individual, retired Flonzie Brown- Wright.

Flonzie, a native of rural Farmhaven, Mississippi, is the only daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Littie Brown, Sr. She and her brothers, the late Sydney and the late Frank Jr. grew up in Canton, MS. She attended both public and private schools of Farmhaven and Canton, Mississippi. Flonzie received a Fain Fellowship and attended Tougaloo College, where her concentration was Political Science, PreLaw, and Black History. She graduated from the Institute of Politics at Millsaps College in Jackson and served the college as Vice-President of the Institute where she taught, ``Grass-roots Organizing and Campaign Management.'' She is the recipient of one honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters from Tougaloo College in 2018, and a Special Presidential Honors Award from LeMoyne College of Syracuse, New York.

Flonzie's employment and professional career has spread from the dusty roads of Mississippi to the White House as she interacted with many individuals of national prominence. She was inspired to become involved in the civil rights movement in 1963, just after the assassination of Medgar Evers. Her inspiration continues in a myriad of creative community initiatives across the country where she lectures and provides motivational opportunities to a cross section of audiences. She continues to be a much sought-after speaker.

On November 5th, 1968, Flonzie was the first African American female elected to public office in a bi-racial Mississippi town. She celebrated the 50th anniversary of her historic election in 2018. The position of Election Commissioner in Canton, MS, allowed her to correct many voting rights injustices throughout the state.

She authored and published her first book, ``Looking Back to Move Ahead,'' in 1994. In 1999, the book became a Best Seller for an Independent Author. This memoir chronicles her growing up years in a small rural Mississippi town and salutes the involvement of scores of unsung heroes and sheroes who were similarly involved in the civil rights movement in the 1960's and 1970's in Madison County and Jackson, Mississippi. Flonzie worked with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Ambassador Andrew Young, Marian Wright Edelman, Constance Slaughter Harvey, Alice Walker, Judge Reuben Anderson and many other humanitarian activists, locally and nationally.

Flonzie is the recipient of more than 400 national, state, church, and community service awards including the National FBI Citizens Award presented by former FBI Director James Camey in 2017 in Washington D.C. She is a member of the National Association of Female Executives, NAACP, SCLC, NCNW, and Women for Progress, Inc., among other organizations.

She is president and CEO of FBW & Associates, Inc., a marketing consulting firm and is the founder of the Flonzie B. Wright Scholarship Foundation, a foundation designed to encourage students to stay in school. This foundation has provided more than $45,000.00 in scholarship dollars and other enhancements to many students.

Flonzie is featured in the documentary, ``Standing on My Sisters' Shoulders.'' This award-winning film honors African American and Caucasian women, who were involved in the Southern Civil Rights Movement, including Annie Devine, Unita Blackwell, and Joan Trumpauer Mulholland, to name a few. They were honored for their work at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. She has been featured in Purpose Magazine, Tomorrow's South, ``Black America Series, Madison County, MS,'' ``The Sip'' and has self-produced two documentaries, ``Standing Tall in Tough Times'' and ``Before I'll Be Your Slave.'' She has been featured in many other publications and documentaries. Flonzie gave the Keynote Speech in Dayton, Ohio the night Barack Obama accepted the Democratic Party's Presidential Nomination, August 2008. Most recently, Flonzie was featured on the cover of the January 2018 issue of the Metro Christian Magazine.

Before relocating to Mississippi, Flonzie served the Miami University in Middletown, Ohio as Student Affairs Scholar in Residence where she co-wrote a new curriculum, ``Black Issues in Higher Education.'' Even though her travels have been extensive and her achievements many, she simply refers to herself as, ``Just a Country Girl from Mississippi who loves the Lord and ALL people.''

She is a member of the New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson, and is the mother of three children: Cynthia, Edward (deceased), and Darrell.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the life, legacy, and service of Flonzie Brown-Wright.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Judy Hudson Bland.

Judy Bland moved to Quitman County at the age of five with her parents, Floyd and Christine Hudson and her three older brothers. She was educated from first through twelfth grade in Marks. Upon high school graduation, she attended the University of Mississippi on a journalism scholarship her freshman year.

In the spring of 1963, she married Johnny Bland, who had signed a contract with the Boston Red Sox and traveled with him to play at various locations in their farm system. After an eye infection ended his baseball career, he began a new one as a banker with First Security Bank at the Marks Branch. They brought their young family to Marks; a son, Kevin Bland, and daughter, Kimberly Bland (Wells), who were both educated in Marks; both received associate degrees from Northwest Community College and B.S. degrees; Kevin, from Mississippi State and Kimberly, from Delta State. These two children, their spouses and her grandchildren have been a constant source of joy, pride and inspiration as a part of her daily life.

Bland had obtained her B.S. degree at the University of Memphis and worked for several years in the Memphis City School System, so in 1977, she returned to her teaching career, one that included a variety of afterschool programs which exposed the students in Quitman County to new technology and gave them opportunities to volunteer for worthwhile projects, such as participating in the relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina. In 1992, she was honored to receive recognition as ``Teacher of the Year'' at Quitman County High School. She was also often called upon to interview prospective teachers at recruiting events on college campuses.

After her retirement in 2004, she continued the spirit of volunteerism. Whenever she saw a need, she offered to do what she could to fill it and help those in need lift themselves above their disadvantages. She helped patients at DePorres Rural Health Clinic who could not afford their medicine apply to the pharmaceutical companies for free or at a discounted price. Working with the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, she created a pilot program for Head Start to educate the children on eating nutritious food and to encourage their family members to eat healthy, as well. Working with the local nonprofit, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, she supervised youth on educational fieldtrips; helped students learn GIS/GPS technology and to map the condemned buildings in Quitman County that should be cleared and used for environmental friendly projects; prepared yard signs with house numbers to improve 911 accuracy; delivered Emergency Kits to elderly residents in the county; helped open a fitness center that welcomed all area residents; and conducted afterschool workshops for students on topics, such as financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and screen printing. Working with the Marks Project, a local nonprofit formed in 2017, she has been instrumental in providing playground equipment, an outdoor fitness trail, and an outstanding football field for countywide youth in the City of Marks Park; providing an excellent reading program for Pre-K, a Saturday tutoring/recreation program for middle school students, conducted on the campus at the University of Mississippi's School of Education, and ACT Prep Boot Camps at the high school, all in the Quitman County School District; and securing partnerships with both Northwest and Coahoma Community College to provide free job training to Quitman and its surrounding counties.

Bland has served on numerous boards in Quitman County and north Mississippi, including the board of directors of DePorres Delta Ministries, Youth Opportunities Unlimited, and the Marks Project, as well as the Advisory Board of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi and the Board of Trustees of Northwest Mississippi Community College.

She has won several awards in recent years, such as the 2010 President's Volunteer Service Award, the 2013 Quitman County Alumni Scholarship Gala Award, the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi's 2019 Community Star Award, Margaret Madddox Woman of the Year and the 2020 Mule Train Historical Society Woman of the Year.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Judy Bland for her dedication to the teaching profession and her untiring efforts of volunteerism,

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a tenacious and ambitious man Mr. Deonta Selvy, Sr. Selvy has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication, and a desire to make a difference in his community.

Vicksburg native Deonta Selvy, Sr. has been a pillar of the Vicksburg community over the years as both a successful businessman and local volunteer. Selvy began D & T Mobile Express Services in 2009 just two years after graduating from North Carolina Central University.

Apart from being a great businessman, Selvy is known for his love of sports and teaching kids the fundamentals of the games. Selvy has been a volunteer football and basketball coach for the last 15 years and has mentored hundreds of kids through the years. Most recently, he and his wife, Takita Selvy, started F.R.E.E (Fitness, Recreation, Education, Encouragement), a nonprofit agency aimed at helping kids in the community.

Selvy has proven his dedication to serving the community and now he continues to take steps further to help individuals, and the city of Vicksburg will always be in debt to him for his great services.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Deonta Selvy for his

passion and dedication to serving Warren County and desire to make a difference in the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable organization, CompuRecycling Center, Inc. (CRC).

CompuRecycling Center, Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, with Mr. Gene Finley as the Director. It is also comprised of five Board Members: Pandora Redmond, Joyce Johnson, Willie Goliday, Karen Phillips, and Don Green.

CRC vision is to be a change agent for developing small businesses, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses in the Mississippi Delta by improving economic opportunities for distressed communities & empowering small businesses to embrace entrepreneurship via technical assistance & training. CRC also aims to be a change agent for the youth population by improving the health and well-being of communities and individuals while increasing the diversity of the healthcare profession and technical workforce.

The mission of CRC is to serve as a technical assistance center for minority, women-owned and emerging businesses throughout the Mississippi Delta. CRC plans to assist developing small and emerging business establishing relationships with stakeholders, resource partners, and major corporations in order to improve the increased capacity of small businesses. CRC is intricately involved in growing, connecting and supporting minority, women-owned and emerging businesses by enhancing economic opportunities. CRC fully invests in the future of the region, the youth, by working as a change agent to improve the health and well being of communities and individuals while increasing the diversity of the healthcare profession and technical workforce.

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing CompuRecycling Center, Inc. for their passion and dedication to serving the Mississippi Delta and desire to make a difference in the community.