Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a talented and driven man Mr. Stanley Davis. Mr. Davis has shown what can be done through tenacity, dedication and a desire to serve his community while having a successful career.

Stanley was born and raised in the Brickyard Hill community in Yazoo City, along with his mother and eight siblings. He attended school in Yazoo City at Main Street Elementary, and Yazoo City Junior High, before graduating from Yazoo City High School in 1986.

Stanley Davis, the manager at 49 Exxon Fuelmart on Jerry Clower Boulevard in Yazoo City, is known for making every customer feel important. Over the years, the name of the convenience store changed. It is still commonly referred to as Mayfield's or Texaco by many Yazoo residents. When the store ownership changed hands ten years ago, from Les Mayfield to Jared Mayfield, Stanley was made the store manager because of his increasing dedication to the customers.

Stanley's aim is to make sure that all customers feel important and that they can get everything they need in one place, from gasoline and propane, snacks and drinks, and simple automotive essentials, to pizza and even hunting and fishing supplies.

Stanley is a husband and a father, and strives to instill hard work in the lives of his children. His advice to those who want a career in business management is to stay in school, read more, and always ask questions if you don't know something.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Stanley Davis for his desire to make a difference in his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Carol Johnson-Burger who was named the first woman and African American President and CEO of United Way of the Capital Area in Jackson, Mississippi in July, 1995. Born in Jefferson Davis County, Mississippi, she graduated from Tougaloo College and was very involved in the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi, having the opportunity to meet and work with Medgar Evers and Dr. Martin Luther King. Carol was the first Black teacher to integrate the public schools in Pearl River County, Mississippi, one of the most racist counties in Mississippi at the time.

Carol is active in her community and on the national and international levels with United Way Worldwide. She has served on many boards including co-chairing with former Governor William Winter, the process that created a strategic plan for the City of Jackson and as vice chair of the Secretary of the State's Nonprofit and Charities Laws study group. She is a founding member of the Central Mississippi Chapter of 100 Black Women and the Mississippi Chapter of the International Women Forum. She serves on the Executive Committee of the National Professional Council for United Way Worldwide and as a mentor to United Way Professionals in South Africa.

She is the recipient of many awards but her greatest joy is being ``Grammie'' to her grandkids Nicholas and Logan. She, her son Marcus and the grandkids are active members of Anderson United Methodist Church.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Carol Johnson-Burger for her dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Exclusive Kutz Barber Shop, a Yazoo City business making an impact not only on hairstyles, but also on the needy of the community.

Oliver Sampson, owner of Exclusive Kutz, along with Steve Beckford and Lonnie Conley, create lasting impressions on customers by providing them with popular or custom hairstyles.

Exclusive Kutz is proud to service men, women, and children of all cultures, providing the best experiences possible for their customers.

Barber shops are known for their conversations, and Sampson reflected on the variety of talks that have occurred in his shop, ranging from politics and religion, to economics and fiances.

Exclusive Kutz was recently featured in an issue of The Yazoo Herald giving free haircuts and facials to the needy of Yazoo City at the Manna House.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Exclusive Kutz Barber Shop and its owners for their desire to make a difference in the lives of children and the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Amy Thomas and the Bolton Family Health Clinic.

Amy Thomas was born to Robert and Jeanette Shoulders on October 17, 1977 in Jackson, MS. She has an older sister, Tequella Shoulders, who is a Registered Nurse (RN) and is currently pursuing her degree in Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner. Amy has been happily married 3 years to her lovable and supportive husband, Michael J. Thomas, who is a savvy Businessman, plus Co-Owner, Administrator, and Billing/Coder for the Bolton Family Clinic. Ultimately, Amy loves embracing and practicing her Christian lifestyle where she continuously gives God all the praise and puts Him first in all her endeavors. Also, Amy enjoys caring and helping others, participating in volunteer services, traveling, and mingling with family and friends.

Amy Thomas began the long road to becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner by graduating from Bailey Magnet High School. She then earned her BS degree in Nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi where she became an RN. Striving to achieve the goal of advancing her nursing career, Amy accomplished that goal. Here, she obtained her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Southern Mississippi where she specialized in Advance Family Nursing Practice and graduated with Dean Honors in 2011 and became certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Then in 2014, Amy also became a certified DOT Medical Examiner to help promote and maintain transportation safety. In relation, at this present time, she is now furthering her education even more by pursuing a Doctoral in Nursing Practice degree from the University of South Alabama specializing in Family Clinical Practice.

Amy Thomas developed a strong 14 years of nursing background by working as an RN in Telemetry/MICU at the University of Medical Center, SICU at the Veteran Affairs Medical Center, and LTAC at Regency Hospital of Jackson. Then, after obtaining her Advance Practice Registered Nursing degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner, Amy worked 4 years to provide quality Geriatric care to residents in the Nursing Home and Primary Care to patients at Minor Med Care Clinic. One year later, Amy then ventured out and became owner (along with her husband) at the Bolton Family Clinic in the town of Bolton, MS. Here, Amy is presently the sole healthcare provider in the Bolton community. She has future goals of incorporating more specialty services in Bolton so that the residents could have all their healthcare needs met in their own community. This way, quality healthcare could be effectively disseminated with the ultimate goal of building a healthier Bolton community.

Amy is affiliated with the following organizations: Mississippi Nurses Association, Mississippi Rural Health Association, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American Nurses Association and Mississippi Association for Nurse Practitioners.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Amy Thomas for her dedication to serving throughout her community and throughout organizations around Mississippi and the Bolton Family Clinic.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an organization who has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to serve their community, First Choice Health Care. First Choice Health Care has served as a support system to families of Yazoo County.

Veronica Starling attended Hinds Nursing Allie Health Center. She was in the first LPN to RN bridge program. Five years later, Starling decided to take her career to the next level by becoming a business woman. Starling formed First Choice Health Care through her career as a nurse. First Choice Health Care opened in Yazoo County, Mississippi in 2015. With 52 employees, the local facility provides quality care for loved ones in a home-like atmosphere.

First Choice Home Health can provide services to all 82 counties within the State of Mississippi. Overall the company employs 218 people and currently provides services in 39 counties. The Yazoo City locations have the largest staff.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing First Choice Home Health for its dedication to serving others and giving back to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mr. Leon Wilson who is a native of Jackson, MS. He is married to the former Virginia Harris and is the biological father of three children: Malcolm Wilson, Tara Wilson Evans, and Steven Wilson (deceased); and a loving father to Jon Vincent Bell, Karen Bell and Teshia Sawyer.

Mr. Wilson received his Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Langston University, Langston, OK and his Masters of Science in mathematics from Jackson State University, Jackson, MS. He did further study at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.

Mr. Wilson served as an educator for 30 years at Lanier and Callaway high schools with Jackson Public Schools. In addition to teaching all types of mathematics, he was the football coach, and track and field coach for Lanier High School. During his teaching career, he never missed an opportunity to talk to teens about making good decisions. He always encouraged them to work hard and would tell them ``be the best at whatever you do.''

Because of his deep love for children, Leon, after retiring, tutored students who attended Jackson Public Schools and Hinds Community College. During the summer months, he continued to be involved in the lives of youth. He became the director of Grove Park Junior Golf Clinic--a clinic that taught young girls and boys the fundamentals of golfing. He worked with this organization for over 30 years. The only thing he loved as much as helping children was his Sunday evening golfing games with his friends. After playing 18 holes of golf, his friends and he would go into the club house and would participate in a bible study class.

Mr. Wilson has been a member of Central United Methodist Church for 65 years. He has always had a strong belief in God, and loves to discuss the Bible with anyone. During his years at Central, Leon has served in the following positions:

Member of the Chanel Choir;

Member of the Early Morning Glory Choir;

Vacation Bible School Teacher;

Van Driver;

United Methodist Men (Treasurer);

Disciple Bible Study (Teacher);

Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee (Chairperson): 2 terms under Rev. E. L. Henry, 2 terms under Rev. Embra Jackson;

Speaker at Early Morning Service;

Tutored at Central's After School Program;

Speaker at Brown Elementary Forum.

He is loved by many and is known by many names. His students call him ``Chief'' because he was the person in charge in his room. Athletes and some of our church members call him ``Coach.'' Golfers call him ``Head Pealer'' because he defeated them most of the time on the golf course. Still others just call him a ``good person'' because he does whatever he can to help them. Although he answers to all these names, the one that means the most to him is being known as ``one who loves the Lord.''

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Leon Wilson for his dedication to serving.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Ms. Bridget Archer. Her education and professional experience includes Jackson State University; Oakland Community College, State of Michigan; Hinds Community College, Raymond; Dance and Performing Arts schools in New York City and California.

From her days as a member of drill teams in middle school, high school and a Prancing J-Sette at Jackson State University, Ms. Archer has been consumed by dancing. She has produced dancer wannabes into top-notch dancers. She annually takes a dance group to Rockefeller Center in New York City during Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Weekend. The City of Jackson recognized Ms. Archer's passion and proclivity for engaging youth by naming her Recreation Coordinator.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Bridget Archer for her dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable organization, North Sunflower Medical Center.

North Sunflower is succeeding at a time when many rural hospitals in the U.S. are struggling to survive. It serves as a lifeline in a county where nearly 40 percent of residents are living in poverty and in a state with some of the highest levels of obesity, diabetes and deaths from cardiovascular disease in the nation.

And it has helped keep the tiny town of Ruleville afloat. It opened eye and dental clinics, a gift shop, a diagnostic center and a hospice in downtown stores, many of which had been vacant and in disrepair. The 25-bed hospital also sponsors fundraisers for the local high school sports teams and supports area colleges and events, including the Great Ruleville Roast & Run in late September.

North Sunflower isn't immune to the problems plaguing its peers. Its costs are going up at a time when its reimbursements aren't. Medicare, Medicaid and private insurers are cutting their payments and taking longer to send the checks. After years of growth, it may have to rethink some of the services it offers.

``It's a daily struggle and it's getting harder,'' said Billy Marlow, North Sunflower's executive director who engineered the turnaround.

Marlow had no background in health care when, in 2004, he was asked to join the board and help save the hospital. Born at North Sunflower and raised in the area, he was a real estate developer and farmer. Soon after, he was named board chairman and then interim administrator.

It didn't take long for him to realize North Sunflower had to develop sources of revenue outside the core hospital. One of his first moves was to relocate the health clinic to a more prominent spot along the road and extend the hours. It's now open from 8 a.m. to midnight every day and treats 3,500 patients a month, up from 120 in 2004. It saves the hospital and patients money by absorbing those who show up at the emergency room but don't need that high a level of care.

The clinic is now a profit center, as is the hospice, pharmacy and durable medical equipment facility that sells items such as wheelchairs, back and knee braces, home oxygen equipment and blood sugar monitors. Marlow opened or expanded all of these.

Another top priority was renovating the hospital itself. The rooms were old, some of the ceilings were crumbling and the technology was outdated. This led both patients and doctors to avoid the place.

``When you have a hospital that's dirty or has a bad image, you can't recruit,'' said Marlow, who credits the employees and administrators for the rejuvenation.

To help fund all the changes, Marlow converted North Sunflower to a critical access hospital, a federal designation aimed at keeping rural providers alive. The shift increased the medical center's Medicare reimbursements.

A federal loan and a county bond helped pay for a new surgical unit and the Beacon Wellness Center, which contains a sleep clinic, community gym and rehab programs. And Marlow sold the hospital's home health aide agency, stashing away $2 million in the bank. Marlow also secured some creative financing. He negotiated a deal with GE to provide new X-ray equipment and a CT scanner. And he hired an outside company to overhaul and upgrade the hospital's rooms and paid off the bill over time.

Along with all internal changes, the hospital developed extensive marketing campaigns. Its slogan, Take me to Ruleville, is everywhere-- on billboards and bumper stickers, wrapped around its shuttle vans, in TV advertisements and YouTube videos.

Area residents have noticed. North Sunflower received higher than average ratings from patients on a variety of quality measures, according to Medicare's Hospital Compare profile. Some 83 percent of patients said they would ``definitely recommend'' the medical center, compared to an average of 70 percent for Mississippi hospitals and 72 percent nationwide.

Many area residents said they started coming to North Sunflower's clinic when it opened about a decade ago, not realizing it had existed for years before. Now, they travel miles to see doctors there, bypassing closer hospitals along the way.

Doctors are interested in working at North Sunflower. In recent years, it has added an array of specialists--an orthopedic surgeon, podiatrist, pediatric hematologist, among others--who visit anywhere from once a month to a few times a week. A licensed social worker now provides adolescent and family counseling at the clinic. And its outpatient cardiac rehab unit just received industry accreditation.

Attracting and retaining quality staff to practice in the Delta is also a challenge. North Sunflower pays its doctors top dollar--often more than what they'd make in bigger cities--and covers a portion of their medical school loans.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing North Sunflower Medical Center for its dedication to serving and giving back to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mr. Joe Trotter Dockins who was born in Starkville, Mississippi on July 5, 1930 to the late Mr. and Mrs. Mathew and Mary Frances Dockins. He was married to the late Mrs. Odelle D. Dockins for 54 years and from that union they had two children; a son, Metric and a daughter, JoAndrea.

At the young age of 5, Mr. Dockins grew up working in his parents' grocery store that stayed in business thirty seven years. He received Christ early in life at Griffin United Methodist Church in Starkville, Mississippi. In his younger years, he participated in the Boy Scouts of America in his hometown. Although he never achieved the honor of being an Eagle Scout, his involvement and support in scouting has continued throughout his career.

While growing up in Starkville, he received his high school diploma from Oktibbeha County Training School, formerly Henderson High School and since integration it is now Henderson Junior High School. He graduated with honors with a B.S. Degree in Economics from Alcorn College, now known as Alcorn State University in May 1953. Mr. Dockins further studied at Prairie View A&M University in 1953, in Prairie View, Texas and the University of Wisconsin in 1964, Madison, Wisconsin in the field of Human Development and Interpersonal Relationship.

Mr. Dockins began working for the Mississippi Agriculture Extension Services from 1954 to 1965 as an Associate County Agent in Louisville, Mississippi. Afterwards, he worked with the Farmers Home Administration as an Assistant County Supervisor from 1965 to 1981. His last assignment came as a result of being a County Supervisor from 1981 to 1987. After thirty-three years of dedicated service he decided to retire in 1987 and afterwards received his 25th and 30th years of service tenure awards as a Federal Employee. Joe began a new career in 1989 with the Mississippi Action for Progress as Director of Personnel and later was reassigned as Safety Coordinator. He stayed with Mississippi Action for Progress until 2006 and made the decision to retire a second time.

Mr. Dockins became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. on December 16, 1950 at Alcorn State University. After graduation, he became active with Beta Alpha Chapter, in Jackson, Mississippi where he served in several positions which included Basileus from 1977 to 79. He was District Marshal for the 7th District Meeting held in Jackson, Mississippi in 1984; served as Mississippi State Representative from 1989 to 1993 and past member of the 7th District Council. In 1976, he received a plaque as ``Man of the Year'' for assisting in securing a Fraternity House and he received his 40th, 50th and 60th year membership pin from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. In 2016, he received a Certificate of Life Membership and was inducted into the Mississippi Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Hall of Fame.

Mr. Dockins is a member of the current and past organizations:

The Alcorn Alumni Club and served as President of the Jackson Chapter from 1986 to 1989;

Coordinator of the Monday Evening Club of Jackson, MS;

Past member of the Mississippi Farmers Home Administration Minority Employees Association;

Past member of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional fraternity in education;

He serves on the Board of Directors of Central Mississippi Health Services, Inc.;

Past member of the Board of Directors of the Wesley Foundation-Alcorn State University;

Past member of Mission Mississippi;

Served on the Boy Scouts of America, Andrew Jackson Council.

Mr. Dockins became a member of Central United Methodist Church in 1966. He served as President of Central United Methodist Men from 1977 to 1993, Finance Committee Chairperson from 1985 to 1987, past Vice- President of the Usher Board, served on the Pastor Parish Relations Committee and a former Lay Leader. He continues to be a member of the Finance Committee and Usher Board.

Mr. Dockins' life has been fulfilling due to all of his accomplishments. He continues to be an active and supportive member in his church and community. Mr. Dockins is an inspiration to all that cross his path.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to Join me in recognizing Mr. Joe Trotter Dockins for his dedication to serving.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable young lady, Mrs. Keba Laird of Clinton, MS.

Mrs. Keba Laird is a registered and licensed dietitian nutritionist, wellness coach, and aerobics instructor with 17 years of experience in health and wellness promotion. She has a diverse educational background with practitioner experience in a variety of settings to include clinical and school nutrition, worksite wellness, and community health. Now in her current role as Child Nutrition Supervisor II for Clinton Public School District, Mrs. Laird finds this job most rewarding as she helps create a healthy school environment and workplace for both students and staff.

After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, Mrs. Laird earned a Master of Business Administration degree from William Carey University to further expand her business and management skills. Mrs. Laird is an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist, and a certified health and wellness coach through Wellcoaches. She received a Certificate of Training in Adult Weight Management through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

One of Mrs. Laird's most recent accomplishments is having earned the credential, School Nutrition Specialist (SNS), the highest credential in the School Nutrition profession in July 2017. Mrs. Laird has met the academic and experience requirements as well as demonstrated competency through successfully passing a national standardized exam for the school nutrition profession. Mrs. Laird is one of over 1,300 professionals who have earned this designation. This credential is offered through the School Nutrition Association (SNA), a non-profit organization of over 55,000 members that encourages the highest standards in school nutrition programs and it recognizes those who have obtained a high level of professional achievement.

Mrs. Laird has a successful record in nutrition/fitness counseling and coordinating weight management programs for adults and children that improve awareness and inspire behavior change. She has been featured on local television news stations presenting on such topics as: disease prevention, healthy lifestyle goal planning, stress management, and she has implemented worksite wellness programs for many corporate businesses across Mississippi.

Mrs. Laird is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, School Nutrition Services Dietetic Practice Group, American College of Sports Medicine, and Mississippi School Nutrition Association (MSNA). She has served as president and secretary of the Central District Dietetic Association, and chair of physical fitness for the Greater Jackson Shrinkdown Fit Kidz Program. She currently chairs the MSNA Publicity Committee, and will serve as Secretary for the 2017-2018 term. Mrs. Laird is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she currently serves as the Chaplain for the Clinton (MS) Alumnae Chapter, located in Clinton, MS.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Keba Laird for her dedication to serving throughout her community and throughout organizations around Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Richard and Ora Lee Benson for their 73rd year of marriage.

Mr. Charlie was the only child born to the late Beatrice Anderson- Benson and the late Pinkney ``Bill'' Benson, Sr. on February 21, 1925. His mother died after giving birth to him. His father later married the late Martha Ross-Benson and had four children from this union. Pinkney ``Nick'' Benson II, Robert ``Bob'' Benson, Mayzle Dean Benson who are all deceased, and his youngest sister, Gloria Benson-Remus, who lives in Lexington, MS.

Charlie's father and grandfather were both farmers and he followed in their footsteps. He was also a self-taught carpenter, worked at a coal factory and retired from Fleetwood Homes both in Lexington, MS.

On September 30, 1944 Charlie married his sweetheart, Ora Lee White. She is the third child of Lou Etta Thurmond-White and Cleveland White. She worked by her husband's side as a farmer and later worked many years as a cook at Lexington Elementary School until she retired.

There were twelve children born from this union: Frank McKinley Benson, Beatrice Benson-McKennie, Mayzle Jean Benson-LeSure, Howard Benson, Sylvester P. Benson, Maxcine Benson-Cobbins, William Carl Benson (deceased), Billie A. Benson-Ramsey, Jimmie Louis and Mildred Louise Benson are twins (Mildred is deceased), Leon Benson and Laverne Benson.

They have two god sons, Calvin Friar and Dennis Moore, also one god daughter, Diana Randle. There are 30 grandchildren, 41 great grandchildren, and 4 great, great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Mr. Charlie Richard served as a deacon until his health failed, and Mother Ora Benson served as a Mother on the Motherboard from the Guilding Light C.O.G.I.C. of Lexington MS.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this beautiful couple that is celebrating their longevity of love and affection for 73 years of marriage.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Walter and Ozie Taylor, who are well respected Jackson entrepreneurs, set the bar high years ago when crafting a business model that's helped propel Taylor Candy to success in the Washington Addition community in Jackson.

Mr. Taylor came from a family of entrepreneurs. His father operated several stores and Laundromats and several other relatives owned various businesses. Mr. Taylor got his feet wet in business by establishing his own route while operating his first truck as an independent distributor through his cousin's wholesale candy distributorship. This led to the Taylors obtaining an SBA loan and establishing Taylor Candy Company at 1519 Cox St., which was later moved to the present location next door at 1523 Cox St. During this time, Mrs. Taylor joined in operating the company full time, after a nine-year teaching career. Mr. Taylor, also a short tenured school teacher, said ``I needed a dependable and trustworthy associate, if the business was to be successful and so I beckoned her from the classroom and the rest is history.'' At the height of the business' activity in the 1980's, the company had many employees and a total of nine independent distributors. The Taylors now operate the business solely, with occasional assistance from part-time workers.

In 1974, the Taylors received acclaim from a prestigious minority business organization that named them ``The Most Improved Business of the Year.'' Also in 1997, the business was featured as an outstanding small business in a local publication.

The Taylors offered these words of wisdom to budding entrepreneurs: ``You should have the right attitude toward your business pursuit. Don't be afraid of failure. Failure gives you an opportunity to set a goal to understand what you have to do to improve. There are going to be downfalls. Let downfalls or failures be used as motivations for growth rather than reasons for giving up.''

They said when they first started the company, the School of Business at Jackson State University, the couple's alma mater, provided counseling.

Through the years, the Taylors have supported community activity through giving to and participating in religious, social and educational programs and projects. Fellowship of Christian Athletes has been a benefactor, as well as numerous neighborhood schools and churches.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Taylor Candy Company for their dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Scott Memorial Funeral Home, a Yazoo City business striving to offer good services to families.

Scott Memorial Funeral Home located at 1401 East Broadway in Yazoo City is locally owned by Benjamin D. Scott and has operated under a standard of excellence for their customers since 2010. Their mission statement is: ``To provide funeral services that are dignified and caring, highly professional and dedicated to excellence in all details, with prices suited to each family's circumstances.''

Scott Memorial Funeral Home offers burial and cremation services, burial insurance, life insurance, limousine services, and also has a notary public. The business also offers a plan that meets any family's individual needs, no matter the situation.

Scott said his favorite part about the job is serving the families who entrust their funeral service needs to him. He makes sure that the families' needs are carried out as professionally as possible during the most difficult time of their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Scott Memorial Funeral Home and its owners for their desire to make a difference in the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Evangelist Sarah Kimbrough Hall.

The weekend of September 15, 2017 marked the 30th year ministry celebration for Evangelist Sarah Kimbrough Hall.

In 1987, local Pastor Edward Shields became gravely ill. At the time, he had a weekly radio broadcast. As he could not perform this duty any longer, he asked Evangelist Hall to take over his radio ministry.

She thought that she would just do the program as he recovered from his illness. However, Pastor Shields did not recover, and Evangelist Hall continued to do the broadcast.

Evangelist Hall said that she had no idea that a door was being opened for her to minister on a national level.

As she assumed her new role of radio broadcaster, Evangelist Hall began to expand her ministry to include: nursing homes, donating to the homeless, visiting and ministering to the sick and elderly, jailhouse ministry, issuing school supplies to children, rendering support and comfort to the bereaved, providing financial support to various charities and non-profits and bringing local gospel musical artists to the area, just to name a few.

Evangelist Hall was born in Indianola, Mississippi, to Pastor Sam and Eula Kimbrough.

At the age of nine, she began singing with a gospel quartet and in her church's choir. It was at her father's church that she began arranging and scheduling church programs.

She moved to Chicago in 1966. After completing high school, she earned certifications in Business and Office Administration and Cosmetology. Although Hall lived in Chicago, she booked and arranged gospel artists to come to Indianola to perform. These programs grew, received much acclaim and have continued until this day.

Over the years, Evangelist Hall has been instrumental in various community efforts, which include raising money for a number of non- profit organizations. One of her crowning achievements for the past 20 years has been her work and fundraising for the Mississippi Region One Burn Center.

Under Evangelist Hall's leadership, an excess of $30,000 has been raised and donated to help with the treatment and care of burn victims, many of whom have no health insurance.

Over the years, Evangelist Hall has received numerous accolades, to include: the Woman of Influence by the American Gospel Quartet Convention; selected as Nation's Best and Most Blessed by Quartet Jamboree; was the recipient of the Ruby Summerville Dixon Award; was recognized by the Jackson Musical Association Award and the Annual Stellar Gospel Award.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Evangelist Sarah Kimbrough Hall for her dedication to serving others and giving back to her community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a legendary hero, PFC Milton Lee Olive, III.

PFC Milton Lee Olive, III was born on November 7, 1946 in Chicago, IL. His mother died during the childbirth and his dad had no way to work and raise him. But his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Milton Olive, from the Lexington, MS area stepped in. They went to Chicago immediately and brought him home with them and raised him in Lexington.

Upon graduation from High school in Holmes County, Lexington in 1965, young Milton went back to Chicago to live with his father and step- mother and during that summer he volunteered for the Army. He was then shipped out to participate in the hottest part of the Vietnam War.

On October 22, 1965 while on patrol near Phu Cuong, Vietnam, PFC Milton Lee Olive, III and other soldiers of the Bravo Company 2nd/503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade were given the mission of securing a 60-square-mile area known as War Zone D, or the ``Iron Triangle.'' As the soldiers moved through the thick jungle brush trying to locate Viet Cong enemies, they came under fire but were able to push the enemy back.

As PFC Milton Lee Olive and four other soldiers, two of them black and two of them white, were in pursuit of the Viet Cong enemies, one of the enemy turned and threw a hand grenade into the middle of the platoon. Immediately, PFC Olive dashed forward yelling ``I've got it,'' smothering a live grenade into his middle and moved away from the others, sacrificed his life to save others by falling on the grenade and absorbing the full blast.

PFC Milton Lee Olive, III's selfless act of bravery saved the lives of four soldiers but ended his own life. He was just 18 years old.

PFC Milton Lee Olive, III was awarded a memorial plaque in his memory of his bravery. He was the first African-American soldier and recipient of the Vietnam War to be honored America's highest military decoration--the Medal of Honor--from the United States Army as a soldier for his actions of bravery in the Vietnam War.

PFC Milton Lee Olive, III's monument was erected and can be visited in Holmes County at Miles Hill, south of Lexington, MS. There is also a park in Chicago bearing the young hero's name.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing PFC Milton Lee Olive, III for his bravery and dedication to the United States Military.