Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable historical church, Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church of Lambert, Mississippi and the great leadership it is under.

Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church was founded in the 1900s by the share cropping plantation families: the Sykes family, the Noble family, the Cox family, and the McCray family. For years, there was no building for worship service. Therefore, the families went from house to house worshipping and praising God. The plantation was first-owned by Mr. Yeager who later gave it to his relative, Mr. E. H. Anderson. Mr. Anderson was a God-fearing man who would often stand in the back of worship service.

The Sykes family was the oldest and first family on the plantation. Therefore, the families gathered together and sold cakes to raise a little money. Afterwards, they asked Mr. Anderson to allow them to have a spot to build a church. Mr. Anderson allowed them to build a one-room shot gun building and allowed the men on the plantation to provide the labor. There was one wood heater and no air, but the families continued to praise God.

The members along with Mr. Anderson agreed to name the church Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. Minister Richardson was the first pastor selected. He served for a while, and later God called him home. In addition to the church, Mr. Anderson provided them with burial ground, and they called it the Sykes Chapel Cemetery. Some of the members are actually buried there.

Later, the church was destroyed twice--first by storm and later by fire. With the assistance of Mr. Anderson and loyal families, the church was rebuilt twice. After rebuilding the church, they had worship service once a month. The church has been under the leadership of several pastors: Rev. Harry Benimon, Rev. Rollie Lee, Rev. Arthur Lee, Rev. Lloyd Johnson, and Rev. Robert Griffin.

Pastor Lloyd Johnson enjoyed praising God. He encouraged members to attend church every Sunday, and the membership increased. He later had a vision to build a larger sanctuary. In the process of preparing to build a larger church, no deed was found. Several deacons, including Deacon Albert Emerson, Deacon James Lee McCray, Deacon Ollie McCray, and Deacon Eddie Moore went to Mr. Anderson to inquire about the deed, and he sold the land to Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for $1.00. In addition to the new sanctuary, a bus and van were purchased; outreach ministries and abstinence programs were started. Pastor Johnson served as pastor for seventeen years, until God called him home.

God sent Pastor Robert Griffin, who served for approximately four years. Under his leadetship, the church continued to praise God. The youth ministry flourished, and the church was paid off in one and a half years.

Currently, Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church is under the leadership of Pastor Derell Wiley. He believes that we can truly move mountains through prayer and faith. His established mission for Sykes Chapel is: ``Exalting the Savior, Equipping the Saints, and Evangelizing the Sinner.'' In his vision, souls are saved, minds are renewed, hearts are cleansed, and members are rejuvenated. He emphasizes that the atmosphere will be shifted and a change will occur when we work together and embrace others with love, for God is love.

They are a little country church, but they serve an awesome God, who is able to transform minds, spirits, and lives. Under Pastor Wiley's leadership, they are growing physically and spiritually--studying and standing on the word of God. The following ministries have been started: Youth Ministry, Jail Ministry and Counseling, and the Convalescent Home Ministry.

By faith, they are discovering their purposes and trusting God for His promises. As God leads and guides, the future ministries will be developed: family ministries, couple ministries, and single ministries, as we become spiritually and physically prepared for God's kingdom. By faith, mountains are being moved, sinners are seeking Christ, and Christians are being restored.

The Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, believes that the greatest privilege and responsibility is to create disciples for Christ. The members are therefore committed to fulfilling their purpose through worship, fellowship, ministry, and Christian education.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sykes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church for its dedication to serving our great community and country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Wanderers Home Missionary Baptist Church, a remarkable house of worship in Mound Bayou, Mississippi.

The Wanderers Home Missionary Baptist Church has a rich history, which is a legend within itself. At the turn of the twentieth century, a group of Christian leaders and laymen, some early settlers and others who migrated to the town of Mound Bayou, were led by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to come together to organize a church in the year of 1908. Some acquired land and others share-cropped farms outside of the town limit. There was no church in the near vicinity of their homes, and means of transportation was limited. There had been a yearning for a place to fellowship and worship, and to praise and give thanks unto the Almighty God for His goodness. Coming together in the home of early settlers Mr. and Mrs. Wash and Kerri Mosley, led to fruitful discussions and plans to lay the foundation for what was to become their own place of worship, the Wanderers Home Missionary Baptist Church.

Initially, the church was located on the north side of Township Road, but later relocated to the south side of the road where they purchased land and built a church. The land was sold and later rebuilt back on the north side, its present location.

The late Reverend W.M. Wilson was named the first pastor and began with a small group of faithful members under the most humble circumstances and with lots of faith in God. As the town of Mound Bayou became a major tourist attraction, with the growing population and industrial development, the membership at Wanderers Home grew rapidly.

The pulpit has been graced with some of the most remarkable preachers and ministers. The late Reverend Thornton, Reverend H.H. Humes, Reverend W.M. Stampley, Reverend W.M. Walden, Reverend Richardson, Reverend Zack Pittman, Reverend T.F. Hammond, Reverend C.H. Moreland, (who served as pastor for twenty-six years), Reverend Andrew Hawkins and Reverend Willie J. Jackson (the current pastor), was called as the leader of the congregation in 1991.

Under the leadership of Pastor Moreland, a fellowship hall was added to the church as the need for a place to extend their fellowship beyond the sanctuary. Under the leadership of Pastor Jackson, many accomplishments have taken place: Wanderers Home became the first church in Mound Bayou to have full-time worship services; incorporated 4th Sunday Broadcast Worship Service; started weekly bible class for adults and youths; and organized and increased Youth ministry activities.

The sanctuary was renovated with stained glass windows and new pews. Due to growth in membership the church purchased a van to transport elderly and youth parishioners.

Over the years, the church has reached beyond its walls to support the community, families, other communities throughout Bolivar and surrounding counties through its Missionary Ministry, as well as its Youth and Adult ministries.

Wanderers Home supported and been actively involved as a member of the Bolivar County Baptist Association since its organization, as well as a member of the State and National Congress of Christian Education. Many of its members have and continue to serve in leadership roles as leaders, teachers, and auxiliary heads in the organization.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Wanderers Home Missionary Baptist Church for their spiritual enhancements in Mound Bayou, the surrounding communities and the State of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a historic church, Sweet Canaan Church of God in Christ. It has shown what can be done through the years of dedication of a progressive church.

The historic Sweet Canaan Church of God in Christ is the second oldest Church of God in Christ in the World and is located at 1946 Bellbottom Road in Lexington, MS 39095.

``The first church added to the number professing sanctification was located in Carroll (Holmes) County sixteen or seventeen miles north of Lexington, Mississippi.'' This statement is from the book: ``Fifty Years Achievement from 1906-1956 A PERIOD IN HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF GOD IN CHRIST.'' The Editorial note stated: The Historic Sweet Canaan church is located near the Carroll County line, but it is actually in northern Holmes County just south of Carroll County.

Sweet Canaan began as a little prayer mission in a wayside house of Professor Allen Taylor. Allen Taylor's property was located on Bell Bottom Road which is located about ten to fifteen miles north of Lexington. During those days Elder Morgan Williams was in charge of the small congregation. In the year 1909, the prayer mission decided to organize itself and the name Sweet Canaan was chosen. Prior to selecting the name Sweet Canaan, the church was known as the ``Colored Sanctified Church.'' It was through continuous fervent prayer that other community people soon joined the early saints.

The present site of Sweet Canaan was once the spot where cattle of Professor Taylor grazed. Professor Taylor donated the land to the church for the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00); a legal formality.

Although the small congregation did not have seats, the community was blessed. Mr. Isaac Randle was given a few dollars to bring some sweet gum logs to be used as seats in the prayer mission. Recognizing the small congregation's perseverance, Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, Founder of the Church Of God In Christ, appointed Elder Jeffery A. Lewis as their first pastor. He was also appointed the first Overseer of the State of Mississippi. At that time, the whole state was under one jurisdiction.

Sweet Canaan is blessed to have had its first three pastors to serve as state overseers; they were Elder Jeffery Lewis, Elder Stephen Rice, and Elder James Henderson. Sweet Canaan is also blessed to have had the jurisdictional supervisor of women for northern Mississippi, Mother Sarah Ann Braggs Gaston, as a member during her youth. Bishop Timothy Titus, Prelate of Northern Mississippi Jurisdiction, preached at Historic Sweet Canaan during his early years as a young preacher. The late Bishop Louis Henry Ford, former Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, often talked about his experience when he preached at Sweet Canaan, when he was a child and a student at Saint Academy and College in Lexington.

The first State Holy Convocation of the Church Of God In Christ was held at Historic Sweet Canaan.

Former Pastors of Sweet Canaan were: Elder J.A. Lewis, Elder Stephen Rice, Elder Fred Winans, Elder W.B. Hudges, Elder D.R. Curry, Elder James Lee, Elder James Henderson, Elder D. Pitchford, Elder J.L. Pleas, Superintendent Fred Wade, and currently Elder Dr. Percy Washington, Sr.

The first deacons of Sweet Canaan were Brother Phillip Blake, Brother Louis Brooks and Brother Charlie Randle. Mother Abbie Banks was the church mother.

Some of the early saints of Sweet Canaan were: Professor Allen Taylor, Brother Louis Brooks, Brother Willis Randle, Brother Frank Blake, Brother Jessie Banks, Brother Frank Hoover, Brother Ben Simmons, Mother Sara Booker, Mother Ina Jenkins, Mother Ida Wilson, Mother Abbie Banks, Mother Ella Taylor, Mother Emma Brooks, and Deacon Payton Smith.

The present pastor, Elder Dr. Percy Louis Washington, was appointed to serve on May 18, 2003 by Bishop T.T. Scott. Pastor Washington and his lovely wife, Glenda, have five sons and nine grandchildren.

He and the Sweet Canaan congregation have worked hard together to preserve the history of Sweet Canaan by enclosing the whole building inside the Dr. Tyree and Mary Carr Multipurpose Building. The beautiful Carr Multipurpose Building houses not only the entire historic church, but it houses the fellowship hall, residential quarters, office, and classroom space.

On July 18, 2013, Bishop Charles Edward Blake, the Pastor of West Angeles Cathedral in Los Angeles, California, and the Presiding Bishop of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., visited Historic Sweet Canaan. They were joined at Sweet Canaan by General Board Members, Bishop Brandon Porter of Memphis,

Tennessee, and Bishop Wooten of St. Louis, Missouri. Also joining Bishop Blake were several other bishops and more than half of the Trustee Board of the Church of God in Christ.

Pastor Washington has said many times, ``When I went to Sweet Canaan, on my way to the church I saw many cows. When I got to the church, I saw a honey bee hive in the back of the church. I knew I was in the right place. For I was in the Land of Milk and Honey--in the land of Canaan--Sweet Canaan.''

Sweet Canaan often times invites many to praise and worship with them every Sunday. Their Prayer service begins at 9:00 a.m., Sunday school starts at 9:30 a.m., and Sunday Worship Service starts at 11:00 a.m.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the historic Sweet Canaan Church of God in Christ.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Cadet COL Jaylin Rodgers of Lanier High School, recipient of the 2016 Jackson Public Schools Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadet of the Year.

Cadet COL Rodgers, son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry and Tamarrus Rodgers, serves as the Battalion Commander for Lanier's 1st Battalion Mighty Bulldogs. He holds a 3.33 GPA and has earned a score of 25 on the ACT. He has taken advanced level courses throughout high school, such as Accelerated English I and II, Accelerated Geometry, and Advanced Placement U.S. History.

A member of the school's National Honor Society, Cadet COL Rodgers is also the recipient of JROTC's Scholastic Excellence Award and was a Leadership Education and Training, Level One top cadet.

Cadet COL Rodgers served on Lanier High School's Battalion staff for three years as the Human Resources Officer, Executive Officer, and now the Battalion Commander. Cadet Rodgers has attended the LeaderSTATE Leadership and STEM Camp and Boys State at Mississippi State University and the Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His plans are to attend Jackson State University, major in Electrical Engineering, and attain a commission into the Army as a second lieutenant.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Cadet COL Jaylin Rodgers.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a community servant, Mr. James Mallett. Mr. Mallett has shown what can be done through tenacity, dedication and a desire to serve his community.

James Mallett was born in the Carter community to Edward and Ethel Mallett. James' family lived on a plantation called Clark and Cato. He grew up in a small church called Mt. Salem. He learned many life lessons from working on the family farm.

James graduated from Yazoo City High School in 1983. James attended Jackson State University, but returned home to take a job with Yazoo Industries, where he remained for ten years.

In 1990 Chief BJ Wright offered James a job at the Yazoo City Fire Department. Through the years, James also had the opportunity to work under Charles Moore, Mike Woodard, Roy Wilson and Terry Harber.

James credits his wife, Alma, for supporting him as he worked for the Yazoo City Fire Department for 25 years.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. James Mallett for his dedication and loyalty to Yazoo City.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Willie Totten, who is a former professional football player and current college football coach. Totten played his high school football at J.Z. George High School in North Carrollton, Mississippi. Totten was a four- year starter quarterback at Mississippi Valley State University from 1981 to 1985. Totten set more than 50 Division I-AA passing records.

The Delta Devils averaged 59 points a game during the 1984 season, with Totten throwing for a record 58 touchdowns and leading the Delta Devils to the Division I-AA playoffs in 1984. Archie Cooley, who was the head coach at MVSU from 1980 to 1986, was the architect of the pass-oriented offense that utilized the skills of Totten.

Totten played professionally in the Canadian Football League (CFL) with the BC Lions (and Toronto Argonauts before moving on to the National Football League (NFL), as a replacement player for the Buffalo Bills during the strike-shortened 1987 NFL season. Totten played in the Arena Football League for the Chicago Bruisers, Pittsburgh Gladiators and the New Orleans Night.

Totten earned his master's degree at Grambling State University, and was a graduate assistant on the coaching staff for head football coach Eddie Robinson. Totten returned to his alma mater and served as quarterbacks coach and running back coach during the 1990s before moving on to coach at the high school level for two years. He returned to the MVSU coaching staff in 2000, and was elevated to head coach in 2001.Totten brought pride back to Mississippi Valley State, as he led the Delta Devils to back-to-back winning seasons in 2005 and 2006. Totten resigned after the 2009 season, and took an administrative position at MVSU in 2010. In 2013, Totten became quarterbacks coach at Albany State University in Albany, Georgia for one season before accepting the quarterback coaching position at Alabama A&M University under new head football coach James Spady.

Totten is one of a few college football coaches ever to coach in a stadium named after him. The Delta Devils football team plays in Rice- Totten Field, named for Totten and wide receiver Jerry Rice. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Totten is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Willie ``Satellite'' Totten, a professor football player and educator, for his dedication to serving others and giving back to the African American community.

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

Ms. Johnson is a Leland High School graduate from Leland, Mississippi whose outstanding academic performance resulted in her being recognized on both her Superintendent's and Principal's List for high achievers. After graduating, Ms. Johnson began her academic career at Jackson State University in the fall of 2016, where she currently studies Human Resources and Mass Communications.

Ms. Johnson is a member of the following organizations: DECA, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, MS Tech Masters, and is a MS Scholar. She also volunteers for the Habitat for Humanity, and is a loyal blood donor.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize New Town Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, MS inside of Tallahatchie County.

New Town Missionary Baptist Church was built in 1805. Like so many Black rural churches the history of New Town Missionary Baptist Church was passed down by word of mouth from members who were slaves. The church was built under the guidance of Spring Hill Baptist Church which was an all-white congregation. However, New Town Missionary Baptist Church, an all-black congregation, was pastored by a white minister, Rev. Porter, until the church was successful in finding a Black minister who could lead. The Rev. Hampton Clemmons was the first Black pastor of the church.

The first building was a one room structure located where the Old New Town Cemetery is now. The following ministers have served as pastor of the church: Rev. Matthew Black, Rev. Neison Harris, Rev. William West, Rev. Willie Penn, Rev. Charlie Johnson, Rev. William Booker, Rev. P.R. Gipson, Rev. J.T. Brown, Rev. H.C. Jones, Rev L.J. Jordan, Rev. R.S. Phamphlet, Rev. David B. Curry, and Rev. Derrick Williams, Sr. Some of the deacon members of the church were: Bro. James H. Reed, Bro. Burel Reed, Bro. James H. Bellamy, Bro. Robert E. Pollard, Bro. Nathan Metcalf, Bro. Richard Gray, Bro. Ben Thompson, Bro. Green Hudson, Bro. James Bellamy, Jr., Bro. Charlie Simmons, Bro. B.L. Reed, Bro. John H. Gray, Bro. Barney Willis, Bro. N.A. Boclair, Bro. Charlie Anderson, Bro. Jessie Terry, Bro. Minon Reed, Bro. S.N. Drake, Bro. Grafton Gray, Bro. John Winford, Bro. George Fair, Bro. James Frost, Bro. Roberson Jennings, Bro. Eckles Simmons, Bro. Frank Diltz, and Bro. Erwin Maynew.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the New Town Missionary Baptist Church in Charleston, MS in Tallahatchie County inside of the Second Congressional District of Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, today, I am introducing a bill to provide relief to Ms. Daniela Vargas, a young woman from my Congressional district in Mississippi.

Ms. Vargas was brought to the United States by her parents as a seven-year-old child from Argentina in 2001. Like the estimated 750,000 other young people in the same situation, she became a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient and has a pending DACA renewal application. By all accounts, Ms. Vargas is a hard worker who, up until March, was living the American Dream. Having graduated from high school with honors in 2013, Ms. Vargas was pursuing her college degree in hopes of becoming a math teacher. On March 1, 2017, this valuable member of our community who respects our laws, pays her taxes, and has no criminal record found herself the innocent victim of the cruelties of our current immigration system.

On that day, Ms. Vargas participated in a press event at City Hall in Jackson, Mississippi organized by local church leaders and immigration advocates to raise awareness about the negative impacts that politically-motivated immigration enforcement actions directed by the Trump Administration are having on communities across the country and those young people with DACA status who have come to be known as ``Dreamers''. Exercising her First Amendment Rights, Ms. Vargas shared her family's story and courageously spoke out on behalf of those who, like her, live with the fear that on any given day they will be deported in furtherance of the President's misguided and cruel immigration agenda. When Ms. Vargas and a friend left the DACA event at City Hall, they were trailed by ICE Agents. After pulling the car over on the side of the road, the ICE Agents, who should have been aware that Ms. Vargas had a pending DACA renewal application, took her into custody and transferred her to a detention facility in Jena, Louisiana--160 miles from her home. When Ms. Vargas' case was brought to my attention, I, along with a diverse network of civil and immigration rights groups, mobilized on her behalf. Thankfully, on March 10th, a U.S. District Court granted the petition submitted on her behalf and she was released from detention, but an order for her removal remains active.

Enforcement of our country's immigration laws must hold steadfast to our cherished American values. Our nation needs law-abiding DACA recipients, like Ms. Vargas, to be free from the threat of deportation so that they can contribute to our communities. These Dreamers took a leap of faith during the Obama Administration and came out of the shadows in the hopes that our immigration laws would be reformed to give them the security they need to build a better future for themselves and their families. Members of the Jackson community support Ms. Vargas wholeheartedly, and I am proud to offer my support as well. While this may be a private bill for one individual, I strongly believe we must do better by the thousands of other young people like Ms. Vargas who now live in fear of being uprooted from the communities that they call home. We urgently need to offer them a secure path forward, not one that pushes them back into the shadows or threatens to send them away from the country that is their home.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Asbury United Methodist Church.

If you desire to eat for a year, plant rice. If you desire to be remembered ten years later, plant a tree. If you desire to save future generations, educate a child. But if your desire is to preserve mankind, plant rice, a tree, educate a child and build a church.

It was this philosophy, spurred by the divine inspiration of God, that Asbury UMC was organized. The year was 1872. Since that time Asbury has experienced physical and spiritual growth as was evident by the fact that it was in 1898 under the leadership of Rev. D.D. Goodwin. The church's trustees were L.K. Levridge, J.L. Thompson, F.L. Jones and Henry Raspberry.

As the years past, Asbury prospered and was remolded in 1926, this time under the leadership of W.L. Marshall.

Realizing that there is indeed strength in unity, Asbury and what was to become known as her sister church, Kingsley Chapel United Methodist Church of Edwards, Mississippi, were united on the same charge. The ministers who spearheaded and supervised that unification were J.B. Brooks, J.M. Shummpert and H.C. Trice.

For the next fifty years, Asbury continued to worship God through service to humanity. This was done under the ever present watchfulness of Reverends Walton Taylor, A.L. Johnson, N.R. Ross, J.B. Watkins, A.L. Pittman and E.B. James.

A church without a past has no future, without a present there can be no future. In 1972, Asbury realized that it had an even greater future and challenge ahead as it became and continues to be a United Methodist Church. Pastoring Asbury before, during, as well as after this period of name change, was the Rev. Dr. Oscar Allen Rogers, Jr. During Dr. Rogers' tenure, 22 years, the longest in the history of Asbury, the church experienced many positive changes, including an extended renovation in 1975. In May of 1984, Dr. Rogers accepted the Presidency of Claflin College, Orangeburg, South Carolina.

The departure left a void, but one which was soon filled by Rev. Coleman Turner, a native of Bolton, as well as a member of Asbury's extended family.

Before coming to Asbury, Rev. Turner was pastor of Pratt Memorial UMC of Jackson, Mississippi. Although his stay was brief, his leadership was inspiring.

In 1985, the Rev. John Baker came to Asbury from Anderson UMC, Jackson, Mississippi. He accepted the challenge of Christian leadership and proved a positive influence.

On the Fourth Sunday in June of 1987, Asbury welcomed the Rev. Dwight Prowell and his wife Patricia. They quickly and effectively became an involved part of the Asbury family. Although it was a short relationship, Asbury and the Prowells shared many joyous moments; perhaps the highlight being an addition to their family, a son, Christopher. Christopher arrived in Mississippi on a Homecoming Sunday. It was truly a special day.

In 1988, The Rev. Alphanette Bracey Martin became the spiritual leader of Asbury UMC. Rev. Martin was also the director of the Wesley Foundation, located on the campus of Alcorn State University, Lorman, Mississippi. Under Rev. Martin's leadership Asbury continued to shine as the ``church by the side of the road.''

The Reverend Reuben C. Witherspoon served as leader of the flock from June 1994 to June 2000. He brought to Asbury a renewed commitment to spirituality among the members. He also made improvements within the church.

Reverend Herman Peters accepted the leadership of Asbury June 25, 2000 and served through December 2002. He inspired continued commitment to spiritual, financial and physical growth.

Asbury is presently under the charismatic leadership of the Reverend Sam Lee, Jr., who accepted the top post in January, 2003.

We have also been privileged to have the following ministers from 1924 to present: Rev. J.B. Brooks, 1924-1927; Rev. W.E. Rucker, 1927- 1928; Rev. Prince A. Taylor, Sr. 1931-1932; Rev. J.C. Hibbler, 1933- 1934; Rev. A.C. Trice, 1935-1936; Rev. Allen L. Johnson, 1937-1939; Rev. N.W. Ross, 1940-1941; Rev. Walter S. Taylor, 1942-1943; Rev. J.B. Watkins, 1944-1946; Rev. L.M. Pittman, 1947; Rev. E.B. James, 1948- 1952; Rev. V.C. McInnis, 1953; Rev. Richard D. Gerald, Sr., 1954-1955; Rev. Henry Bartee, Sr., 1959-1962; Rev. Dr. Oscar A. Rogers, Jr., 1962- 1984; Rev. Coleman Turner, 1984-1985; Rev. John L. Baker, 1985-1986; Rev. Dwight d. Powell, 1987; Rev. Alphanette B. Martin, 1988-1994; Rev. Reuben C. Witherspoon, 1994-2000; Rev. Herman Peters, 2000-2002; Rev. Sam Lee, Jr., 2003-Present.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing my home church, Asbury United Methodist Church of Bolton, Mississippi

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a multi-talented gentleman, Mr. Anthony Gibson II. Mr. Gibson has shown what can be done through tenacity, dedication and a desire to achieve.

Mr. Gibson graduated from Vicksburg High School, and now, he is attending Mississippi State University majoring in Civil Engineering.

He has been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta, Gamma Beta Phi, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, National Society of Black Engineers, and American Society of Civil Engineers among others.

Anthony has a wide variety of engineering experiences including design, hydraulic/river research, geotechnical practices and project management.

Mr. Gibson had internships at J5 Broaddus, the City of Vicksburg, and the Corps of Engineers (ERDC). Currently, he is a co-op student for Brasfield & Gorrie, one of the largest engineering/construction firms in the southeast. He is located in Birmingham where the firm is headquartered.

Anthony is the son of Patricia Brown and Anthony Gibson II.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Anthony Gibson II for his hard work, dedication and a strong desire to achieve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable woman, Dr. Mary M. White, who is a pioneer and innovator in the academic, entrepreneurial and service communities.

Dr. Mary M. White is the Inaugural Chairperson of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Professional Development in the College of Business at Jackson State University. She spearheaded the creation of a new BBA Degree in Entrepreneurship in 2005. Upon obtaining IHL Board approval, this degree program became the first of its kind in the state of Mississippi and among HBCUs. She is a Fulbright Fellow and Sam Walton Fellow, recognized as one of America's leading educators and has been a Price-Babson and LLEEP Fellow in Entrepreneurship as well.

Dr. White's commitment to entrepreneurship led her to co-author the book, ``The Engrossed Entrepreneurial Campus: What Our Economy and Our Academy Needs Now.'' Dr. White's passion for entrepreneurship and business extends internationally to South Africa, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, Romania, India, and France and throughout the United States by providing guidance on entrepreneurship as a means to enhance economic development.

Dr. White represents Jackson State University on the Women Owned & Managed Enterprise Network National Advisory Council (W.O.M.E.N) with Morgan State University, HBCU/Babson Entrepreneurship and Engineering consortium, Capitol City Convention Center Procurement Outreach Advisory Board and the Mississippi Entrepreneurial Alliance.

Dr. White's an active board member of the Community Financial Services Association (CFSA), Minority Serving Institutions Research Partnership Consortium (Vice President), Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Katherine Murriel Education Foundation and Clinton Alumnae Delta Enterprise Foundation. She has successfully directed the 2009 Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), 2005 Women of Color Entrepreneurs Conference and the 2004 Minority Serving Institutions Conference. In 2006, Dr. White secured funding for the Business Entrepreneurial Scholars Program and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Small Farmers Training Initiative. She also directs the SIFE ``I Choose'' grant, guiding at-risk high school students in entrepreneurship and free enterprise.

Dr. White received the Doctor of Education at Northern Illinois University.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. Mary M. White for her dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a multi-talented gentleman, Det. Sam Winchester, Warren County Sheriff Department. Det. Winchester has shown what can be done through tenacity, dedication and a desire to serve others.

Det. Sam Winchester received a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Alcorn State University. He worked full time in the agricultural research department of Alcorn and received a Master's Degree in Secondary Education. He served in the United States Army Reserve for 14 years.

Det. Winchester began his career in law enforcement in Jefferson County. He started working at the Warren County Sheriff's Office (WCSO) in 2004, and became a detective in 2006. Sam has multiple interests that he uses as a detective at the Warren County Sheriff's Office in the Criminal Investigation Division.

He is one of the primary boat operators for the Sheriff's Office meaning, whenever a river or water rescue needs to take place, he is called to assist. In addition to those duties, he is a certified driving instructor for the WCSO, and he does driving instruction at the Police Academy at Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead. He is also trained as a hostage and crisis negotiator.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Det. Sam Winchester for his hard work, dedication and a strong desire to serve his country and community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable law enforcer Constable Tyrone Survillion.

Mr. Survillion's life began in Marks, MS, where he was born to Claudia M. Survillion and John H. Harris both of Marks, MS. Constable Survillion continued his residence and has resided there for forty-six plus years. He was a graduate of the Quitman County High School and he then attende Coahoma Junior College.

Tyrone Survillion has been in law enforcement since 1997 until the present. He started out as a dispatcher for the Quitman County Sheriff's Department, and later worked his way up to becoming a certified dispatcher in the year 1999. In 2008, Tyrone Survillion was elected for Constable in Quitman County until the present. He states: ``Something that I love to do is working for people.''

Mr. Survillion has been married to Sharon Survillion for twenty-four years. From that union came two daughters, Au'Kiona Tillman, Ty'shauna Survillion and two god daughters, Mar'Kayla and Maddison.

Constable Survillion's goal is to continue to serve and protect the citizens of Quitman County for many more years to come. Through God and determination, Constable Survillion will continue to make a difference in his community.

Mr. Speaker I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Constable Tyrone Survillion for his dedication of being an outstanding law enforcer.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Katie ``Kate'' Mae McKennie Friar.

Mrs. Friar was bom on July 22, 1929, in Holmes County, Mississippi. She was the third child of seven children born to Perry McKennie, Sr. and Mannie Pitchford McKennie.

Mrs. Friar began her Christian journey at a very young age at Rockport Missionary Baptist Church, Lexington, Mississippi. She later moved her membership to Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church, Lexington, Mississippi, where she taught at Lebanon School and started as an educator together, with her husband, the late Samuel Friar. She was a faithful member of Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church until her health declined. She was a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and chairperson of various ministries. She was an Ancient Matron of Court 172A of Heroines of Jericho for 30 years and a member of the organization for 60 years.

Mrs. Friar attended Rockport School, Ambrose School, and Mississippi Valley State University where she received a B.A. Degree in Elementary Education. She received various other achievements in education and taught school in Holmes County for 34 years before retiring in 1984.

Mrs. Friar was united in holy matrimony to the late Samuel Friar on May 24, 1953, and to this union two children were born: Shirley A. Friar, Lexington, Mississippi and Samuel L. Friar (Gwendolyn), McKinney, TX; two grandchildren: Stephen L. Friar (Christina), and Tamera K. Friar both from McKinney, TX; three great-grandchildren: Jaden F. Friar, Steele L. Friar, and Solomon L. Friar; six siblings: Leola Williams, Lexington, MS; Selena Shelton, Chicago, IL, Leslie McKennie, Sr., who proceeded her in death, Perry McKennie, Jr., Nathan McKennie (Inez), Chicago, IL., Isadore McKennie, Chicago, IL., a host of nieces, cousins, and loved ones in Christ.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the memory of Mrs. Katie ``Kate'' Mae McKennie Friar for her hard work, dedication and strong desire to achieve.