Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable young lady, Ms. Ashley Wilson of Crystal Springs, Mississippi. Ashley is a proud native of Crystal Springs, MS. She is a recent graduate of Jackson State University, where she obtained

a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration.

Ashley is a Senior Intern who serves as the Financial/Events Planning Specialist at One Voice. She has been with the organization since 2011 and is set to serve as the Chair for the organization's l0th Year Anniversary Celebration.

Making a difference in her home town, Ashley has served as an advocate for her community, where she has served as an Advisory Member to the Crystal Springs Mayoral Council and a member of the Citizens Making a Difference (CMADCS), an organization that acts as a voice for the people's concerns for the city of Crystal Springs.

Furthermore, Ashley has also served on many other committees across the state, such as the 50th Anniversary Commemoration Committee, Mississippi Meeting of the Minds Planning Committee and many other various committees where she has played a vital role in being a voice for change not only in her community, but across the state of Mississippi.

Ashley is currently an active member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). As a healthcare advocate for the Mississippi State Conference NAACP, she has worked with several healthcare related projects. The projects that have touched her heart the most include the NAACP's Childhood Obesity Project and the national GET HYPE Initiative, which focuses on healthy eating for today's youth.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Ashley Wilson for her dedication to serving throughout her community and throughout organizations around Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Constance Bland, who is an Educator, a Leader and Public Servant.

Constance G. Bland, Ph.D. was appointed Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) at Mississippi Valley State University (MVSU) in the spring of 2014. As VPAA, she is responsible for leadership, educational policy, academic programs, budgeting and resource allocation; supervision of staff development programs, federal grant program administration; monitoring of personnel actions and transactions, and participation in academic personnel policy development and negotiation. She is also responsible for relationships with the wider educational and occupational community, particularly the public schools, as well as additional responsibilities as assigned by the President.

Before becoming VPAA, Dr. Bland was Professor and Chair of the Department of Mathematics, Computer and Information Sciences. She developed computer science educational curriculum related to database management systems, software engineering and introduction to computer science. In an effort to impact retention of computer science majors, she was involved in a project to determine the impact of introducing the concepts of object oriented programming for first year computer science students using a visual animation tool known as Alice.

Dr. Bland also acquired significant external funding for the department from sources including the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Eisenhower (state of Mississippi), SUN Microsystems and mini-grants from Jackson State University. Her last external funds secured for the department included an S-STEM scholarship grant and an HBCU-UP implementation grant. A major focus of the scholarship grants secured by Dr. Bland involved initiatives to increase the number of computer science and mathematics majors at MVSU. Funds secured were used to institute tutorial services, provide student development activities and support debt reduction though scholarships to decease external employment of students seeking degrees. The goal of the latest HBCU-UP grant is to encourage STEM graduates to pursue graduate education.

Dr. Bland has devoted 23 years of service to MVSU, and has demonstrated her passion

and commitment to the University, faculty, staff and students. Her involvement has been extensive, yet she finds time and energy to serve, work and lead, shouldering countless burdens with good humor and grace. She is a tower of strength and a strong force for progressive efficient public service. She always shows patience and tolerance, qualities of an experienced and committed leader. Dr. Bland is a visionary leader who inspires staff, students and the community. She is responsible for developing MVSU's first Women in Science and Technology Conference (WIST) designed to encourage young girls in grades 7th through 12th to consider majoring in STEM disciplines. The conference will celebrate its 20th anniversary in Spring 2016 and can boast of numerous female students who have gone on to become practicing women in science and technology.

Dr. Bland holds an Associate's degree in Mathematics from Coahoma Junior College, a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics, Bachelor of Science in computer science, Master of Science degree in computer science and a Doctoral degree in computer engineering from the University of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Constance Bland, an Educator, a leader and Public Servant for her dedication to serving others and giving back to the African American community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable person, an unsung hero, Ms. Verkilya Eleshia Hogan.

Ms. Verkilya Eleshia Hogan was born on July 25,1999 to her proud parents Vernon and Sheronda Jackson. She is an intelligent, obedient, and outgoing young lady. She is also very passionate and dedicated to every task that she takes on.

Ms. Hogan very actively participates in many organizations and programs. She has been a cheerleader since the fifth-grade and currently serves as Captain of the Holmes County Central High Varsity Cheer-Squad. She has remarkable leadership skills and continues to be a positive influence to those around her.

At an early age Ms. Hogan proudly experienced an amazing miracle of God which encouraged her to serve Him more daily. On May 18, 2016, she was involved in a detrimental UTV accident. A portion of her left forearm had to be amputated on May 24, 2016. As a teenager, this was disheartening because she didn't know how her future would be with her condition, but she knew God had already worked things out in her favor. She never lost faith through her circumstances, because she appreciated the simple fact that she could see and breathe each day. The Bible says, ``From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another'' John 1:16. This scripture, she believes, gives her good reason to give all glory and praises to God.

She will finish her senior year in high school with honors and attend the University of Southern Mississippi, majoring in Kinesiology and pursuing a career as a Physical Therapist. She is determined to go above and beyond to reach her goals and continue to walk in a positive direction.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Verkilya Eleshia Hogan, an unsung hero, for her dedication to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mr. Tommy L. McCullough, who was born in Pickens, Madison County, Mississippi to the late parents of W.E.L. and Classie McCullough. He was the youngest of twenty siblings, where ten (10) were added by marriage.

Mr. Tommy L. McCullough was raised in Valley View, Mississippi and attended Nichols School until the eighth grade. Later he went to Cameron Street High School and left to go to the Army while he was in the 12th grade.

Mr. McCullough entered the Army on December 13, 1954, and was in the 25th Division at Scofield Barracks in Hawaii. While there an Honor Guard was formed after a few months, and height requirements were 5 feet 10 inches tall. But, because he was sharp and intelligent he was chosen to be a Guard, although he was 5 feet 8 inches tall. They later changed the title from Guard to Drill Platoon. No one could handle a rifle the way Mr. McCullough handled it, and he was recognized with many letters of congratulations for his performance in the Drill Platoon. He also went to the Non-Commission Officer Academy and received a diploma. Within two years, he went from a Private to SP3 (Specialist 3rd class). There he stayed until his discharge on November 27, 1956 and went back to Jackson, Mississippi.

He had many friends who were Civil Rights Activist, one of them was a Freedom Rider. Mr. Jake Freeze was one of the leaders in the Freedom Riders Movement that lived in his house in 1963, which was later called the Freedom House in Madison County. Pictures are on the wall of the Civil Rights Museum in Canton, Mississippi, today.

Mr. McCullough afterwards moved to Louisville, KY in 1965. He worked at Harshaws Chemical Company for about five years. He missed Mississippi so much that he came back and opened up a night club, Billa Farro, for five years in Jackson and later opened a Car Dealership, TC and III, and then he retired.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Tommy L. McCullough for his dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Chief Chris Palmer.

Chief Chris Palmer was born to Carl Palmer and the late Classie Palmer. He is the fourth of six children. Chief Palmer is married to Kathy Robinson and they have five children and six grandchildren. He attended Crystal Springs High School and graduated from Jackson State University with a B,S. degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections.

Chief Palmer began his career with the Crystal Springs Police Department as a Dispatcher and became a Patrolman in 1994. During his tenure on patrol, Chief Palmer was contracted to the Mississippi Bureau of Narcotic as an undercover agent.

Four years later, Chief Palmer became the investigator for the City of Crystal Springs. As investigator, Chief Palmer worked all felony cases in the city for the next 15 years. These cases included Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Burglary along with numerous white collar crimes. While investigating these crimes Chief Palmer worked over 175 cases per year with a solvability rate of 94.6 percent and a conviction rate of 99.7 percent.

In February, 2015, Chief Palmer was promoted from Investigator to Captain. After a brief stint as Captain, Chief Palmer was promoted to his current position as Chief in October, 2015. Chief Palmer has an excellent staff that includes fifteen (15) police officers, six (6) dispatchers, a Court Clerk and a Deputy Court Clerk. Chief Palmer works diligently each day to make sure all employees are updated with hourly classes to make them better Dispatchers, Court Clerks and Officers.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Chief Chris Palmer for his dedication to serving our great state of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Emmett Till Memorial Commission based in Tallahatchie County of the Second Congressional District of Mississippi.

In 2006, the Tallahatchie County Board of Supervisors formed the Emmett Till Memorial Commission and charged them with the development and oversight of the Emmett Till Memorial Site. The site is a memorial to the memory of Mr. Emmett Louis Till, a 14-year old African American teenager who was brutally murdered in Mississippi and whose murderers were never brought to justice. The site also fosters racial reconciliation efforts and restorative justice programs. The Commission's mission statement is to remember, preserve, and educate the public about the history, stories and cultural legacy of the Civil Rights Movement of Tallahatchie County and other vital sites along the Emmett Till trail and their lasting effects on the County, State and the Nation. The Emmett Till Memorial Commission is comprised of 18 members and is multiracial in makeup.

In 2007 they began efforts to restore the Tallahatchie County Second District Courthouse to its 1955 character, where the trial of Mr. J.W. Milam and Mr. Roy Bryant, the two murderers of Emmett Till, took place despite a not-guilty verdict. On October 2, 2007, the project was officially launched with a racial healing ceremony organized by the William Winter institute for Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi.

Over 400 people attended including members of the Till family. Following the ceremony, a bus tour was conducted of the sites significant to the Emmett Till story. In 2012 funding was secured and the work began to establish the Emmett Till Interpretive Center on the square directly across from the entrance to the Tallahatchie Courthouse.

On March 21st, 2015 the courthouse reopened after an extensive restoration process. The restoration of the courthouse helped solidify the apology that the community wrote in 2007 that began by saying ``We the citizens of Tallahatchie County believe that Racial Reconciliation begins by telling the truth.'' The courthouse and the Emmett Till Interpretive Center memorialize not only the murder and injustice, but of the brave actions of Mrs. Mamie Till, Mr. Mose Wright and others who forced the nation to acknowledge the racial injustices of the era. The restoration of the courthouse and the opening of the Emmett Till Interpretive Center could not have happened without the local leadership of the Emmett Till Memorial Commission of Tallahatchie County.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Emmett Till Memorial Commission located in Tallahatchie County, MS inside of the Second Congressional District of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a God-fearing and impressionistic man, Pastor Casey D. Fisher. Pastor Fisher has shown what can be done through tenacity, dedication and a desire to serve God.

A Spirit-fed and Spirit-led minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Pastor Casey D. Fisher was born in Utica, Mississippi, on July 8, 1966. He is the son of Sharkey and Katie Fisher. He received his formal education from the Hinds County School system and graduated from Utica High School in 1984. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he majored in Business Administration. He later received a Bachelor in Religious Education, a Masters of Divinity and a Doctorate of Ministry from Living Word Bible Institution in Tyler, Texas.

Pastor Fisher is married to the former Michele Chambers. They were married on September 17, 1988. He is the father of three lovely children: twin sons, Bryan and Ryan and a daughter, Casey Michele. Pastor Fisher finds time to love and care for his family as Christ does the church. He is devoted to strengthening them and helping them to grow in their everyday walk with the Lord, just as he does with the church.

Pastor Fisher has served his country as a soldier in the United States Army. During this time, he truly accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior on October 23, 1993 in Livorno, Italy. He served eight years in the U.S. Army, where he was part of two tours in Southwest Asia. He departed military service in July 1997. Afterwards, he was employed with the U.S. Postal service in Vicksburg, Mississippi, where he recently retired in December, 2010.

He is currently a Life Member of the Vicksburg Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and serves as the Guide Right Chairman. His purpose is Achievement, in which he mentors young men, twelve through eighteen years of age, providing them with tutoring, community involvement and religious principles. He is also a member of Masonic Order of Prince Hall Free and Accepted Mason.

In 1984, Pastor Fisher became the first known athlete in Mississippi to be selected All-State in four sports. While attending University of Southern Mississippi, he was member of the basketball team, in which he led the Golden Eagles to the NIT championship in 1987 and later was inducted into the USM hall of fame. Although he loves basketball, he also has a passion for golfing! Dr. Fisher is a die-hard fan of the Los Angeles Lakers and the Dallas Cowboys.

Pastor Fisher's motto is ``If you don't take it personal, it will make you a better person''. He is inspired by one of the Greatest Ministers, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., because of his willingness to serve and his willingness to give up his life for humanity. Greater Grove Street M. B. Church has stood the test of time through dedication, faith, stewardship, and commitment from this soldier on the battlefield for the Lord. He is a man of integrity, loyalty, dignity, and honesty leading his people to do the will of God.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Pastor Casey D. Fisher for his dedication to God, family, community and country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public health program designed to reduce infant mortality in the Mississippi Delta, the Tougaloo College/Delta HealthPartners Healthy Start Initiative.

This initiative is one of the 100 Healthy Start Initiatives throughout the nation working endlessly to give every child a healthy start in life. The Delta HealthPartners' Healthy Start program is housed under the auspices of Tougaloo College within the George A. and Ruth B. Owens Health and Wellness Center, under the direction of Dr. Sandra Carr Hayes, the executive director. The program serves a rural population in a seven county area in the Mississippi Delta (Tunica, Coahoma, Quitman, Tallahatchie, Sunflower, Bolivar, and Washington counties). These counties are among the poorest and most medically underserved in Mississippi and the nation.

The Healthy Start Initiative was implemented in 1999 with funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration under the leadership of Dr. Beverly W. Hogan, who now serves as President of Tougaloo College. Today, Ms. Arletha Howard serves as the project director. Ms. Howard is a registered nurse with over 28 years of experience in oncology, burn trauma, intensive care unit, pediatrics, home health, maternal and child health. She has worked with the Healthy Start Initiative for 16 years. In 2014, under Mrs. Howard's leadership, the Healthy Start Initiative was upgraded from a Level I individual based program to a Level II community based program.

Since its inception, the Healthy Start Initiative has provided case management services through a home visiting model to: (1) high-risk pregnant women of childbearing age 10-44 years, (2) their infants; and (3) fathers/co-parents.

Over the past 16 years, the program has achieved several major accomplishments: The Healthy Start Initiative has case managed over 900 mothers and infants just this past calendar year (January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015).

The Healthy Start Initiative has created the Coahoma County Community Action Network is responsible for opening the first Diaper Bank in the state of Mississippi funded by charitable donations and Northwest Mississippi Foundation.

The Healthy Start Initiative serves as the lead agency in partnership with the Mississippi State Department of Health in the Mississippi Delta Regional Fetal Infant Mortality Review program.

The Healthy Start Initiative has created Memorandums of Understandings (MOU) with 22 partnering schools in the Mississippi Delta to provide peer support groups to pregnant/parenting teens and co parents.

The Healthy Start Initiative has been featured in numerous publications and articles (USA Today, Hechinger Report, Huffington Post, Clarksdale Press Register, Tunica Times, and WABG TV Interview) highlighting the comprehensive services of the project.

The Healthy Start Initiative has partnered with Parents for Public Schools to provide trainings for project parents on advocacy skills and educating and mobilizing parents to strengthen public schools.

The Healthy Start Initiative promotes breastfeeding in two (2) clinic sites by providing health education by project's Certified Lactation Counselors (Women's Clinic--Clarksdale, MS and Gamble Clinic-- Greenville, MS).

The Healthy Start Initiative hosts a Community Baby Shower in partnership with local hospitals, Federally Qualified Community Health Centers (FQHC), other health care providers and key stakeholders each year in September to promote awareness of infant mortality during National Infant Mortality Awareness Month.

The Healthy Start Initiative has implemented a male outreach initiative to address parenting issues among male co-parents and hosts an Annual 5k Walk in June to promote Men's Health Awareness.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing The Tougaloo College Delta HealthPartners Healthy Start Initiative for its continued efforts to reduce infant mortality in the Mississippi Delta.

Mr. Speaker, today, I give honor to Mr. George William Mace of Edwards, Mississippi located in Hinds County, Mississippi.

Mr. George William Mace, was born in Edwards, Mississippi, in the Learned Community. Mr. George William Mace, was the 7th child born into a family of 8 children. He was the baby boy. He was born to George Mace, Sr. and Pattie Marie Sublett Mace. He got the nickname, Beau, because he had a gentleman reputation with the ladies, where he never disrespected one.

Do not resist growing old, many are denied that privilege. In 1904 when Mr. Mace was born, the average life expectancy in the United States was forty-seven, there were only eight-thousand cars and one- hundred and forty-four miles of paved roads; only fourteen percent of the homes had bathtubs, and along with Alabama, Iowa, and Tennessee, Mississippi was more heavily populated than California. Having defied all life expectancies in the history of the United States, George lived to be 104 years old.

A man's educational start is directly connected to his future. Mr. Mace attended Elementary School in the Edwards Community. He attended Belmont/Popular Grove School and Oak Ridge School. He also attended Alcorn Agriculture College in Lorman, Mississippi. He returned home from Alcorn, to help work on his family's farm.

Come let us bow down and worship, let us kneel before the Lord God our maker. Mr. Mace, joined Old Oak Ridge M. B. Church (formerly known as Oak Ridge Church), where he served as an usher.

Faithful and hard work is rewarded. Mr. Mace's lifelong journey was extensive. He left home as an adult and applied for work with Illinois Central Railroad as a Pullman Porter. He worked in this position from 1933 until his retirement in 1972. Being the gentleman that he was, he was excellent in this chosen career. He was also a self-employed businessman while residing in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He owned his own barber shop and employed others to work with him.

Doing nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility he considered others before himself, while making a difference in society. When George retired from the railroad, he returned home to his family's farm. He became a cattleman along with his other siblings. He was also a member of the Masonic Family, Newman Lodge No. 522. He became a part of and joined the Mississippi Soil Conservation Association. He was a blessing to this community, touching the lives of family and friends. He was a compassionate man always willing to lend a helping hand and going the extra mile to make life better for others.

Reputation is what men and women think of us, but the family is the vessel of hope, that it may transcend the boundaries of earthly days and continue throughout endless eternity. Character is what God and his angels know of us. This is what the community knew of George ``Beau'' William Mace. He served his family and community well. His nieces and nephews thought very highly of him.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring, Mr. George William Mace of the Mississippi Second Congressional District.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Judge Patricia D. Wise, elected in 1989, is one of four Chancellors of the Fifth Chancery Court District of Hinds County, Mississippi.

Formerly Mrs. Wise was managing attorney and partner in the law firm of Dockins & Wise, Attorneys at Law, Jackson, Mississippi. Her private practice was in the area of Domestic Relations-Family Law, Personal Injury and General Civil practice. She served as Family Law Resource Attorney for Central Mississippi Legal Services.

An Oxford, Mississippi native, she has lived in Jackson, Mississippi for the past thirty-five years. She received her Bachelors of Science in Special Education, her Masters of Communicative Disorders and her Juris Doctorate degree all from the University of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Judge Patricia D. Wise for her dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable student,

Brealand Pendleton. Brealand Pendleton is the daughter of Mr. Christopher and Aubrey Pendleton of Terry, MS. She is one of four siblings: Chris, Braydon and Aubrey Pendleton. Currently, Brealand is a Senior of Terry High School where she will be graduating 6th out of a class of 320.

Brealand Pendleton is a very outgoing young lady that has served in several capacities in her school. Brealand has been a member of the Band, Flag Team (Senior Captain), Tennis Team (Senior Captain), Beta Club (Senior Secretary), National Honor Society (Junior Treasury, Senior Vice-President), Interact Club (Senior Secretary) and the National Society of High School Scholars. Brealand has over 40 hours of community service which varies from local school participation, helping at the Food Network, serving at Stewpot, working with the school blood drive, contributor to the Angel Tree and other various community projects.

Brealand will continue her education at Xavier University in Louisiana, where she will major in Biochemistry. Brealand is a shining example for Terry High School and her community as she works to make it a better place.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a remarkable student, leader and community volunteer, Ms. Brealand Pendleton, for her hard work and dedication at Terry High School and throughout the communities of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ty'Rianne Perry.

Ty'Rianne has played a big part in community service and helping out her peers. She has participated in the breast cancer awareness walk. Ty'Rianne volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club once a month. She also tutors and mentors young children. She volunteers at the Golden Living Nursing Home where she plays games and reads stories to the patients.

Ty'Rianne's outspoken nature serves her as she advocates for the voiceless children and citizens who cannot speak up for themselves.

Ty'Rianne participates in a Blood Drive twice a year, as she loves helping others in all capacities. Because of her activism and philanthropy, Ty'Rianne was able to attend the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy. She was also selected to attend Camp John Hay; a program for selected teenagers who volunteered at Boys and Girls Club.

Ty'Rianne has walked in the MLK March many times. She encourages everyone to make a difference in their community and get up and help out.

Mr. Speaker please help us to congratulate Ms. Ty'Rianne Perry for making a difference in her community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a group of women who has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to serve their community, Yazoo City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. The Yazoo City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has served the Yazoo County community and the State of Mississippi through informational meetings, social and civic engagement.

The Yazoo City Alumnae Chapter was granted their 30th chartering in the state of Mississippi on February 2, 1997. Francine Wallace and Edwina Fox, in 1995, had the idea to create a chapter in Yazoo and placed an article in the local newspaper. Other Delta's in the area quickly responded, desiring to continue the mission to which they had pledged themselves in their college years and together they worked with the state leadership, the southern Region Manager and the national Headquarters to achieve this objective. Not being swayed, it took several attempts to acquire the approvals to establish the Yazoo City Alumnae Chapter. The Yazoo City Deltas traveled to the State Cluster to share their desire to focus on the high rate of teenage pregnancies in Yazoo County as it was the highest rate in the state of Mississippi. Relating their dedication to fighting this devastating trend, the Southern Region Manager, on their second attempt approved the chartering of the Yazoo City Alumnae Chapter. On February 2, 1997 at the St. Stephen United Methodist Church 12 members, Mary Ann Brewer, Teresa Bonner, Diane Delaware, Zellee Delaware, Sandra Younger, Tamara Dodd, Edwina Gordon-Fox, Marilyn Hathorne, Gloria Elayne Owens, Francine Wallace, the late Juanita Scott-Washington and Mary Joshua Young stood and committed to carry out the public service mission of their beloved sisterhood throughout Yazoo County. Thus, this was the beginning of the Yazoo City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Yazoo City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. for its dedication to serving others and giving back to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, the late Ms. Jana Leigh Clanton. Jana was born January 24, 1996 in Flowood, Mississippi.

Jana confessed Christ at an early age and joined Mt. Able Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Willie A. Travis, Sr., where she was a faithful steward, serving as a clerical volunteer to the church secretarial staff and a member of the Mt. Able Anointed Believers Praise Dance Ministry.

Jana was a Presidential Scholar at Tougaloo College, where she majored in English with an emphasis in Pre-Law and was a student leader, serving as a member of the Student Government Association, a member of Alpha Lambda Delta honor society and member of the Tougaloo Ambassadors for Meritorious Scholars (T.A.M.S.), student recruitment association.

Jana graduated with honors from Madison Central High School in May 2014, most recently became licensed as a Certified Pharmacy Technician, and accepted a position at

CVS Pharmacy. Though she loved science, Jana's dream was to become the first African American Female U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

To her family, Jana was affectionately known as ``Jana Pooh Pooh''. She will always be remembered for her willingness to help others and for her passion for reading. Jana always lived life on her own terms and never met a stranger.

She leaves to mourn her death, her loving and devoted parents, Minister Johnny L. and Vicky L. Clanton, Sr.; her adoring and loving siblings, Waikinya J. S. and Johnny L. Clanton, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Jana Leigh Clanton.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable student, Ms. Kasprina Moton.

Ms. Moton attends Xavier University's School of Pharmacy; with a plan to return to Mississippi to provide care and support for the under- served and minorities who cannot afford their medical treatments and medications. She has participated in various activities throughout the state of Mississippi. She is a 2006 graduate of Gentry High School and finished in 10 percent of her class. She graduated from Jackson State University with Bachelors of Science in Chemistry and a 3.7 GPA. She graduated from Ole Miss Medical Center Pharmacy Tech program in the top 5 percent of her class. She placed first in Miss. NOBeChe of Jackson, Mississippi. And, she also won the Leadership scholarship of the Boys and Girls club in Jackson, Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Kasprina Moton for her dedication to serving others and giving back to the community.