Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a public service sorority who is rich in its heritage and rich in its depth of leadership and services. The chapter is a member of the largest of sororities organized by African American women. Initially, the chapter was listed under the nomenclature of Alpha Chi Sigma Chapter.

The idea of organizing the chapter in Mississippi grew out of a group of close friends who had been active members of undergraduate chapters in other states: Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio and Texas. They needed eight Deltas to charter the chapter and after a long delay, on May 3, 1941; Clara Marjorie Allen, Willie Dobbs Blackburn, Elese Whitiker Blackman, Emily Johnson Hall, Thelma Weathers Johnson, Loraine G. Crawford, Nellie Burbridge Williams, and Aurelia Norris Young made history. The chartering ceremony was held in the home of Aurelia Norris Young with the Southern Regional Director, Helen ``Dolly'' Work, conducting the ceremony. Aurelia Norris Young was elected the first Chapter President. Since the chapter's chartering, these ladies of vision have attracted many well-known women and outstanding students to become members of the sisterhood.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing The Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for their dedication to serving others.

I thank the gentleman from California for the time, and I also thank him for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, at the outset, I would like to commend Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall for their hard work on the legislation before the House today.

H.R. 4005, the Howard Coble Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2014, authorizes the United States Coast Guard, a critical component of the Department of Homeland Security, for 2 years.

Every day, the men and women of the Coast Guard work to protect our ports and waterways from terrorist attack and other dangers.

It is for that very reason that the Committee on Homeland Security should have considered this legislation. Unfortunately, Chairman McCaul rejected my request that, consistent with precedent the committee established in prior Congresses, he insist on a referral of this measure.

Doing so would have ensured that the members of the Committee on Homeland Security could inform the bill's security-related provisions in an open markup setting.

As a result of Chairman McCaul's decision to waive the right of the committee to consider this measure, the House has before it a bill that does not fully take into account the statutory mission of the Department of Homeland Security component it authorizes.

In fact, it does not have a single provision solely dedicated to port and maritime security. You just heard the gentlelady from California talk about port security and how important it is, and I appreciate the gentleman from California saying that he would work with her, but it is also a responsibility of the Committee on Homeland Security.

While disappointing, I do not blame the leadership of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the absence of such provisions. It is the responsibility of the Committee on Homeland Security to leave its mark on this important homeland security legislation.

To be clear, this is not a case of the Committee on Homeland Security lacking

the jurisdiction needed to inform the legislation before us today. It is a case of a chairman failing to ensure his committee was afforded the right to exercise its jurisdictional authority.

House of Representatives,

Committee on Homeland Security,

Washington, DC, February 11, 2014.

Hon. Michael T. McCaul,

Chairman, Committee on Homeland Security, Ford House Office

Building, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

Hon. Candice S. Miller,

Chairman, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime Security,

Cannon House Office Building, House of Representatives,

Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman McCaul and Subcommittee Chairman Miller: We

write to urge you to insist upon a sequential referral of

H.R. 4005, the ``Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act

of 2014,'' and to afford the Members of the Committee on

Homeland Security (the Committee) the opportunity to consider

this important homeland security legislation in an open

markup session.

Despite H.R. 4005 containing numerous provisions within the

Committee's Rule X, clause 1(j) jurisdiction, the Speaker

chose not to refer the bill to the Committee upon

introduction, opting to refer the bill to the Committee on

Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) alone. As you are

aware, H.R. 4005, as ordered to be reported by T&I today,

contains numerous provisions within the legislative

jurisdiction of the Committee.

Since being established as a standing committee in the

109th Congress, the Committee has waived its right to a

sequential referral of legislation authorizing the United

States Coast Guard (USCG) on only two occasions. The first

instance was in the 109th Congress and the most recent was

during the 112th Congress. In contrast, in the 110th and

111th Congresses, we made certain that bills authorizing the

USCG, a critical component of the Department of Homeland

Security (DHS), were referred to the Committee.

As recently as last week, the Committee's Subcommittee on

Border and Maritime Security held a public hearing to explore

the USCG's homeland security mission. During that hearing,

Chairman Miller emphasized the important homeland security

mission of the USCG when she stated:

``Since 9/11, the Coast Guard has taken an ever-increasing

role in the protection of our nation. We've given the Coast

Guard additional responsibility. We have tasked them to

specifically focus their limited resources on port and

maritime security.''

We concur with Chairman Miller's sentiment regarding the

critical role the USCG plays in ensuring the security of our

ports and maritime system. To ensure H.R. 4005 reflects the

USCG's homeland security mission, we urge you to insist on a

referral and hold an open markup session of the bill.

In addition to our desire to see the Members of our

Committee have an opportunity to shape the policy in a bill

authorizing a critical component of DHS, we believe it is

critical that the Committee exercise its jurisdictional

prerogative whenever possible. H.R. 4005 represents an

opportunity for you to ensure that the Committee exercises

its existing jurisdictional authority to the fullest extent

possible.

Thank you, in advance, for your attention to this request.

Should you or your staff have any questions on this matter,

please contact Ms. Rosaline Cohen, Chief Counsel for

Legislation of the Committee on Homeland Security, at x6-

2616.

Sincerely,

Bennie G. Thompson,

Ranking Member.

Sheila Jackson Lee,

Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Border and Maritime

Security.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an extraordinary group of young men, The Distinguish Gentlemen.

``The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way,'' Psalm 37:23. This is the vision of John Jossell in wanting to start a male mentoring organization called, ``The Distinguish Gentlemen.'' Pondering a sense of directions with the vision, a group of male students approached him with a desire to start a step team. Considering their approach, he decided to incorporate his vision in a step team.

The Distinguish Gentlemen started in 2010 at Quitman County Middle School in Marks, MS. It consist of 20 young, aspiring men that have an interest in building a close relationship with Christ, amongst their mentoring group, and within the community. Many of the male group members come from poor, single parent household. They joined the organization with behavioral problems, lack of goals, and misunderstanding of themselves, depression, and anger issues, etc.

Some have testified that knowing the true meaning of a father was when they met their organization leader, Mr. Jossell. The goal of the organization is to shape at-risk students into better young men in the Lord and amongst their families.

Throughout the year, The Distinguish Gentlemen participates in community and church functions through ``stepping'', volunteer work, and mime. They have traveled many cities and in some states winning 1st Place in a step show competition. They have received standing ovation in their ministry of mime in different churches and community activities. Because of the discipline, time, and guidance given by Mr. Jossell and other men, The Distinguish Gentlemen have improved their grades in all subjects, developed a more positive attitude, and become better leaders in their perspective homes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing The Distinguish Gentlemen Organization for their dedication, hard work and commitment.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Alpha Epsilon Lambda of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. On June 10, 1927, Alpha Epsilon Lambda was organized in Jackson, Mississippi with Brother D.J. Jackson officiating for the General Organization.

Alpha Epsilon Lambda has the distinction of being the first chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, alumni or undergraduate, in the State of Mississippi. The charter members were Brothers: S.R. Redmond, D.J. Thomas, J.W.E. Bowen, H.C. Latham, E.A. Lanier, E.R. Lawerence, F.W. Martin, and Frederick Hall. The establishment of Alpha Epsilon Lambda, like many other graduate chapters, was the result of graduate brothers requesting the General Organization to set them apart as local chapters because of their desires to establish closer unity among themselves and renew old Alpha ties.

Alpha Epsilon Lambda provides a pool of leadership which serves as the advisory arm for three undergraduate chapters in the metro Jackson area: Gamma Upsilon at Tougaloo College, Delta Phi at Jackson State University and Omicron Gamma at Milsaps/Belhaven Colleges.

The Chapter is committed to fostering the growth and development of the collegiate brothers in order that they may become and remain actively involved in all aspects of the Fraternity.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Alpha Epsilon Lambda of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated for their dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Beta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated that was organized on May 28, 1934 at Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, Mississippi while Margaret Davis Bowen was the South Eastern Regional Director and Ida M. Jackson was the Eighth Supreme Basileus. Its charter members were Inez B. Prosser, Katie M. Wilson, Helen Griffin, Aquila Jones, Florence O. Alexander, and L. Zenobia Coleman.

Beta Delta Omega Chapter has a current membership of over 150 women and is the largest Chapter in the state of Mississippi. The

Chapter's Program currently focuses on social justice, poverty, health, the African-American family, economic security, political awareness and the world community. Its work often involves collaborating with other organizations to facilitate numerous projects.

Beta Delta Omega is continually engaged in programming efforts that promote education, economic empowerment, healthy living, the Black family, the arts, and community involvement. In addition, the Chapter has distinguished itself by having the immediate past International Supreme Tamiouchos, Glenda Glover and the immediate past South Eastern Regional Director, Juanita Sims Doty, as members of the chapter. Also, two other South Eastern Regional Directors were/are members of Beta Delta Omega Chapter: 1) 14th South Eastern Regional Director Ernestine Holloway (deceased); and 2) 17th South Eastern Regional Director Esther Rigsby.

The Chapter's foci on building leaders and instituting effective chapter operations keep all members mindful of the goals of its charter members. Beta Delta Omega continues to make history with commitment, dedicated service, and exceptional programming. It is through ``service to all mankind'' that the sorority will prosper and be an ever present light in the community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Beta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated for their dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Mississippi NAACP. The first branch in Mississippi was chartered in Vicksburg, Mississippi in 1918 and re-charted on April 8, 1940.

In 1945, members of branches from across the state came together to charter the Mississippi State Conference of Branches to coordinate the efforts of local branches and to carry out the mission and vision of the national organization statewide.

The Mississippi State Conference was on the forefront of all the major battles of the civil rights movement in Mississippi during the 50's, 60's and 70's through and collaborating with other civil rights organizations to organize demonstrations, protests, selective buying campaigns, sit-ins, marches and legal action, all aimed at securing equal rights under the law for ALL citizens of the state.

Since its founding, the State Conference has been led by some notable leaders including:

Aaron E. Henry, State Conference President for 33 years and perhaps the chief architect of integration in Mississippi;

Medgar Evers, the civil rights martyr, who served as executive director and led voter registration campaigns;

Winston Hudson, who served as a state vice president and advocated for Head Start programs and rural health clinics;

C.C. Bryant who served as a state vice president for many years and assisted students in the McComb area with establishing the first freedom school; and

Dr. Gilbert Mason of Biloxi who forced the integration of the Biloxi Breach.

Retired Supreme Court Justice Fred Banks is currently the longest serving member of the National NAACP Board of Directors and serves as a distinguished member of the executive committee.

Today, the Mississippi State Conference consists of 112 units, which include branches, college chapters, and youth councils. NAACP has a revolving membership of over 11,000 members across the state and at least one member in 74 of the 82 counties in Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mississippi NAACP for their dedication to serving.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Greenwood-Itta Bena Alumnae Chapter.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to provide assistance and support through established programs in local communities throughout the world.

A sisterhood sorority of more than 250,000 predominantly black college educated women and the sorority currently has over 940 chapters located in the United States, England, Japan (Tokyo and Okinawa), Germany, the Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Bahamas and the Republic of Korea.

The major programs of the Sorority are based upon the organization's Five Point Programmatic Thrust:

Economic Development;

Educational Development;

International Awareness and Involvement;

Physical and Mental Health; and

Political Awareness and Involvement.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. was founded in 1913 by 22 students at Howard University. These young women wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence; to provide scholarships; to provide support to the underserved; educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy; and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities.

Their legacy continues today in the Mississippi Delta through the Greenwood-Itta Bena Alumnae Chapter. With more than 50 years since its inception, the chapter has grown from 16 members in 1963 to 84 members in 2014.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated Greenwood-Itta Bena Alumnae Chapter for its contribution to the black community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Rho Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated that was established on October 23, 1988 by thirty-two Alpha Kappa Alpha women who had a vision to expand and extend service to all mankind to a growing community in Jackson, Mississippi.

The chartering ceremonies are ceremonies that were conducted by then 18th South Eastern Regional Director, Mrs. Nancy G. Sewell. Since its inception, Rho Lambda Omega has experienced success by implementing many ongoing community service projects which fulfill tangible needs and make a difference in the lives of individuals in the Jackson Metropolitan Area.

Many of the chapter's initial community projects that are focusing on Education, Health, Government, Family, the Arts, and Economic Empowerment have been implemented continuously over the years. Other projects are added as we continue to assess and address the needs of our local community and support the Sorority's international program initiatives.

In a period of almost twenty years Rho Lambda Omega has grown from the initial thirty-two to an active membership of over one hundred.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Rho Lambda Omega of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated for their dedication to serving others in need.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Community Organization, Tri-County Workforce Alliance in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

Tri-County Workforce Alliance, serving the counties of Bolivar, Coahoma, and Quitman originally with the addition of Sunflower and Tallahatchie counties in 2011, in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, is a non-profit organization funded originally by the Foundation for the Mid South through Pew Charitable Trust and the Walton Foundation.

The Alliance chose its first and only executive director, Mrs. Josephine P. Rhymes, in 1997. The Alliance did not have a 501(c)3 status; however it had as the lead organization, the Coahoma County Industrial Foundation, that did have the exempt status. In 2002, the Alliance received their 501(c)3 status and its fiscal agent at present is Coahoma Community College.

The Tri-County Workforce Alliance's mission is to improve the quality of life for people living in the three counties by promoting long-term economic and community development and by building a competitive healthy workforce through education and job training.

Through collaborative efforts with other agencies with a similar mission, Tri-County Alliance worked to support and enhance their efforts through technical support and programs and assistance with alternative funding efforts through a strong mini-grant program. They made available the resources of the Enterprise Corporation of the Delta, which offered hands-on assistance to new and existing businesses in this region in three program areas: technical assistance, development finance, and private sector purchasing.

Tri-County Workforce Alliance is an organization that is made up of people from many racial, social, and economic groups of the tri-county area, working together to find positive solutions to the individual needs of two special groups of citizens: Future Workforce members are youth in high school, junior high or middle school who need a solid academic foundation or may wish to transition from high school to the workforce; and Out-of-Workforce members are adults and youth who have been unemployed for a long time, receive public assistance, or who do not work on a regular basis.

The Alliance has been successful in that it has bridged the gap between communities, between businesses and educational institutions and has enhanced educational and training strategies for the workforce, thus enabling the Alliance to leverage additional funds from other foundations, local, state and federal government and the private sector.

Through partnerships with other organizations and agencies, Tri- County Workforce Alliance has had success with: the Summer Enrichment Program in Reading and Math, which assisted 165 at-risk 4th, 5th and 6th graders in the Clarksdale Municipal School District; the Intensive Youth Supervision Program, which assisted 60 youth offenders; and the Parent Rallies, which was designed to help parents understand their roles and responsibilities in the education of their children.

This was in collaboration with the ten school districts in the tri- county area: Carpentry for Youth which provided carpentry instruction for youth who have built such things as bookcases, park benches, porches, a playhouse for a health clinic, doghouses, entertainment centers, etc.; Carpentry for Women which was a free training program for unemployed/underemployed women 18 years old and above and other support services such as childcare and transportation were provided for each participant who showed a need.

The organization is published in the Insight Center for Community Economic Development's ``Building Economic Stability for Mississippi Families'' (June, 2010). The Job Resource and Career Fair is sponsored for unemployed, underemployed citizens, high school seniors, and those people interested in a career change. CHOICES was another program to help curb the dropout rate. It was offered to 7th and 8th graders in the schools in the tri-county area. With the Mini-Grant Program Tri- County awarded grants in the amount of up to $2,000 to community-based organizations, schools, business, etc. for workforce preparation and workforce development.

These funds have funded programs such as: computer training, teen parent job training, Hospice Care homemakers training, sweet potato growers training, youth employment training, personal development and job etiquette training, cultural enrichment, education rallies, vegetable processing training, hot tamale processing training, hospitality training, executive housekeeping training, child care certification training, ex-offenders job training skills, job enhancement skills training, education site visits, welfare recipient summits, business development workshops career-pathing seminars and legislative forums; the High School Mentoring Program, is a mentoring program offered to at-risk academic and social 9th-12th graders at Coahoma Agricultural High School, one of our local high schools. The Groundhog Job Shadow Day has been held for the past eight years for 7th-12th graders in Coahoma County, and for the past four years in Bolivar and Quitman Counties. Students spend one day in the world of work. There has been two students who won the Mike Moore Scholarship in the amount of $500 each. As a result of this activity, students have gotten after school jobs, a full-tuition scholarship and a book allotment totaling $2,000 is awarded to a freshman student who has maintained a 2.8 average in high school and has an interest in vocational/technical education at Coahoma Community College. Emphasis is placed on interested non-traditional students: Industry Education Day is a program designed to improve the working relationship between business, industry and education for improved economic development; After School Tutorial Programs is a program designed for tutoring in mathematics and reading with cultural and survival components for two schools' 4th, 5th, and 6th graders who are at risk of academic failure; Workforce Public Policy Initiative assists to develop policy that promotes opportunities to construct, implement, and evaluate a framework that is comprehensive and participatory in nature; assists people in preparing for pursuit of living with wage jobs to improve livelihood security and quality of life and to create a model program that can be used as a demonstration to influence public policy.

This program resulted in the development of a professionalization curriculum that is sanctioned by employers and potential employees; Pathways to Collaboration is a workgroup with four other organizations to examine the success of and create a means of communicating to the world the special value of our collaborative process of engaging people who are directly experiencing problems in the community by problem solving.

Chosen as one of the seven originals from 764 applicants Tri-County Workforce Alliance has completed a study and the results have been published in a book entitled: ``Engaging thc Community in Decision Making: Case Studies Tracking Participation, Voice and Influence'' by Roz Diane Lasker and John A. Guidry, McFarland & Company, Inc. Publishers. High School Mentorship Program in Health Care Professions is a program for 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students in Bolivar, Coahoma, Quitman, Sunflower and Tallahatchie counties who have express an interest in the health profession. The program has an individual mentor component for on the job shadowing for 60 hours and a two week Summer Institute with advanced studies in science, math, english/ reading and critical thinking/analysis.

This program is a step program that leads into dual enrollment in the community college's RN or CNA or phlebotomy programs in the 12th grade; An Academy of Science, Reading and Mathematics for Potential Health Care Professionals in a program opened to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders in Coahoma and Quitman counties who express an interest in health care professions. A four-week summer institute is held where students do intensive study of science, reading and mathematics and health disparities. The students dissect animal organs (heart and kidney) to learn the parts of the body that are affected by the diseases. They work with doctors to create a wellness program for family members with the disease.

The Alliance is deeply embedded in the communities that it serves. It is helping to create change by crossing all boundaries--geographical, political, ethnical, age, and socio-economic. Its goal is to continue to develop a network of agencies and individuals to provide ongoing strategic planning, innovative programs and leveraging local, state, federal and foundation funds.

Tri-County Workforce Alliance is governed by a 25-member board made up of representatives from government, business and industry, educational institutions (high school, junior college and four year colleges), community-based organizations, youth, and grassroots individuals, representing the three counties. Elected officers included: Charles Barron, Chairman; George Walker (deceased), Co- Chairman, Elizabeth Johnson, Treasurer and Shirley Morgan, Secretary. Other Board members include: Charles Reid, Priscilla Sharpe, Glenn Adams, W.J. Jones, Earnestine Keys, Aurelia Jones-Taylor, Kenisha Shelton, Dorothy Prestwich, Suzanne Walton, Leonia Adams from Coahoma County; Lillie V. Davis, Mary Towner, Hubert Owten, Victor Richardson, Mamie White, Pearlie Owten, Irma Bell, Lister Bowdoin from Quitman County; and Eulah Peterson, Roger Carter and Jordan Goins from Bolivar County.

Currently, an executive director, Josephine P. Rhymes, since 1997 and an administrative assistant, Harold Jones, since 2009 are the only full-time staff and there are seven part-time program staff members. Tri-County has also formed some very wholesome partnerships with other organizations that have similar missions and they provide them with the use of facilities, staff, technical assistance and funds.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an amazing Community Organization for their dedication for change and equality.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable organization, The Community Students Learning Center (CSLC).

The Community Students Learning Center (CSLC) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization which has as its motto: ``In relentless pursuit of perfection in education and knowledge.'' It was founded by a husband and wife team, Leslie and Beulah Greer, two longtime residents of Holmes County, Mississippi, who are dedicated to helping improve their community's education and economy. The organization was founded in 2003.

When they learned that their daughter, Takila, would not be allowed to graduate with her high school class in 2001, they became parent advocates. Their daughter was faced with this devastating issue, because she could not pass all parts of the required state tests.

Their daughter had been diagnosed with Specified Learning Disabilities (SLD) at an early age and they felt that students who suffered from SLD should be able to receive a certificate, participate in graduation exercises, be given a chance to later re-take failed parts of the required state tests to receive a diploma and be able to experience the feeling of marching with their graduating class.

A challenge was presented of their concerns to the Mississippi Department of Education (MDE). They agreed, but left the final decision up to the Holmes County School District. Unfortunately, for the Greer family's daughter and family, the Holmes County School Board failed to agree.

After much distress and frustration with the Holmes County School System and the Holmes County School Board, they allowed God to minister to their heart for healing. They

later realized that things happen for a reason and that what happened to their family was predestined. It was at that moment that they made a vow to help others in a way that the school district was unable to help Takila, their daughter.

Thus, the Community Students Learning Center (CSLC) was born in their hearts and minds. They became desperate parents who wanted to save other families from the pain and ridicule their family suffered.

Today, the Community Students Learning Center now has a great working relationship with the Holmes County School Board, Superintendent, teachers and staff. They have even been blessed with the opportunity to serve as a team monitor member for the MDE Office of Special Education where they have traveled across the state educating parents regarding their rights and laws as it relates to their child/children with special needs.

Throughout the difficult ordeals that Beulah faced, her husband, Leslie, was a ``strong tower'' for her. He encouraged her to move forward and allow God to direct her path. God has blessed their bud of an idea to blossom into a full blown, yet still growing, non-profit organization that is positively impacting the lives of many families. The idea began as an effort to assist at-risk students who could not pass the state mandated tests, but now the vision has expanded to include many more programs and services.

The Mission for the Community Students Learning Center is to promote community and educational change, by providing state-of-the-art leadership development and personal improvement opportunities for youth, adults, and seniors.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing The Community Students Learning Center (CSLC) for their dedication to serving others and giving back to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable organization, the Redliners.

The Redliners is a bike club that was established in 1996. They share a strong family bond and chemistry, spreading across 12 states.

The Redliners' objectives are:

To bring together individuals who share the common interest of motorcycle riding;

To provide an organized environment around which its members may enjoy well-coordinated events without regards to politics, religion, race, sex or creed;

To encourage good riding habits, promote the interests of its members, keep members aware of motorcyclist rights and issues, and sponsor and participate in charitable events and/or affairs;

To foster a network of communication and a better understanding between various motorcycle and non-motorcycle enthusiast; and

To fulfill these objectives the chapter functions shall incorporate both social and information aspects.

The Redliners in Greenville, Mississippi chooses a foundation every year to sponsor a charity ride. They have done charity rides for the Fannie Lou Hamer Foundation, Boys and Girls Club and Our House, Inc.

The Redliners have participated in numerous community services activities, such as handing out candy at the Boys and Girls Club for Halloween. Also, Make A Wish Foundation contacted Redliners for 16 year old, Freddie Green, of Greenville, Mississippi, who is fighting Leukemia. Freddie's wish was to spend time with the Redliners and eat at a restaurant called Frost Top. The Redliners road motorcycles to Belzoni, Mississippi to meet Freddie as he was coming home from the hospital in Jackson, Mississippi. They brought Freddie to Greenville on the motorcycle and he was overjoyed.

Furthermore, the Redliners have adopted a highway in honor of their member, Victor Anderson, who is also known as ``Red Angel''. They cleaned up Highway 82 in his honor. The Redliners have done other things like, donating turkeys to nursing homes for Thanksgiving and participating in different toy drives. They are always looking for a way to give back to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Redliners for their dedication to serving others and giving back to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an incredible group of

women, who strive daily to make a difference within the communities they serve. Today, I honor the illustrious women of the Clinton (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

The Clinton (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated was charted on March 29, 2004 at Pleasant Green Baptist Church in Clinton, Mississippi. Thirty-one visionary women, living within the Chapter's public service area, used their collective strength to promote academic excellence, provide academic scholarships to deserving youth, support to the underserved, educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy, and to highlight issues and provide solutions to problems in the communities where they live and work. These charter members were: Tina Austin, Perry M. Boler, Angela D. Bridges, Sonya L. Edmond, La'Verne Edney, Latricha Ephfrom, Kristie K. Flowers, Limmie M. Flowers, Sherri M. Flowers, Teselyn Funches, Lisa Green, Sonya Goins, Paulette Grim, Ursula Y. Harris, Tomja W. Jackson, Machelle S. Kyles, Laurie S. Lawson, Sophia S. Marshall, Nikita A. Maxwell, Emily A. Miller, Marilyn J. Minter, Michelyn Patton, Angela Y. Perry, Alyea M. Pollard, Shelia P. Spann, Thresa K. Smith, Faith Strong, Katherine A. Thomas, Kenitra Wallace, Elizabeth M. Washington, and Mary M. White. Dr. Limmie M. Flowers was elected the Chapter's first president and helped the organization set into motion its goals for the community in which they would serve. Under the sorority's five programmatic thrusts, the Clinton (MS) Alumnae Chapter has become deeply involved within the Chapter's service area, which includes the cities of Clinton, Bolton, Byram, Edwards, Raymond, Terry, and Utica.

Economic Development, Educational Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement are the five main areas of social involvement the Chapter focuses on and engages in. Under the Economic Development platform, the Chapter members engage in projects that include building homes with Habitat for Humanity, hosting CreditPlus seminars sponsored by local banks, and educating youth about finances and paying for college through ``reality fairs'' held at local schools. Service activities involving initiatives under the Educational Development platform include donating backpacks and school supplies to the Bolton- Edwards Elementary/Middle Schools, hosting career exploration workshops, college tours and college recruitment fairs, and a teen summit developed by area youth. Scholastic achievement and leadership development is embedded through various youth programs sponsored by the Chapter.

In addition, the Chapter has nurtured over 300 area middle and high school students through the Dr. Betty L. Shabazz Delta Academy, Dr. Jeanne L. Noble Delta GEMS Institute, and the EMBODI Program, while also providing generous support to the United Negro College Fund. May Week Observance is an annual initiative that recognizes the top 10 African American high school seniors from the high schools within the Chapter's service area. To date, the Chapter has distributed nearly $50,000 in scholarships to nearly 400 graduating students.

Establishing cultural awareness is a key component under the International Awareness and Involvement platform, through which the Chapter implements projects to broaden understanding and appreciation for people of different backgrounds and cultures. The Chapter has sponsored cultural education programs, including financial support for schools and clean water in developing countries. Prevention and wellness translate into health education programs, health fairs, and provision of health care services for those in need.

The Chapter participates in the Annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The Chapter has donated more than $6,000 to the organization, including providing very generous funding to the American Heart Association for combating cardiovascular disease. Each spring, the Chapter hosts a health fair in the community that includes comprehensive health screenings.

In keeping with tradition and the political mission of the Sorority, the Chapter is very active in voter awareness initiatives and monitoring legislation impacting underserved communities. Under the Political Awareness and Involvement platform, the Chapter educates the public through workshops, forums, and mass mailing campaigns. Each year the Chapter participates in ``Mississippi Delta Day at the State Capitol'' to visit with state lawmakers.

The current Chapter leadership encompasses: President, Dr. Juanyce D. Taylor; Vice President, Dr. Laurie Smith Lawson; Treasurer, Joyce Kersh; Financial Secretary, Jacqueline Frison-Owens; Journalist, Katrina Howard-Reeves; Corresponding Secretary, Barbara Tapps; Recording Secretary, Wanda Thomas; Sergeant-At-Arms, Lisa Jackson; Chaplain, Erica Towers; Historian, Jessica Lewis; Custodian, April Bullock; Parliamentarian, Luxie Frison; and Immediate Past President, Dr. Laurie Smith Lawson.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Clinton (MS) Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for representing, educating, and informing the underserved communities in their service area for 10 years.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and legacy of Mayor Chokwe Lumumba of Jackson, Mississippi.

Mayor Chokwe Lumumba was born August 2, 1947, in Detroit, Michigan. He was the second of eight children born to Lucien and Priscilla Francis Taliaferro. Mayor Lumumba earned his Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Kalamazoo College in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He later finished first in his law school freshman class before graduating cum laude from Wayne State University Law School.

Mayor Lumumba was a nationally renowned attorney who was licensed in Mississippi, Michigan and U.S. Federal Courts. He has represented clients in over 16 jurisdictions, including Canada and the Choctaw Court. Mayor Lumumba has won settlements and/or judgments for victims of medical malpractice, employment discrimination, sexual harassment and police misconduct. He has worked in high profile cases such as the representation of the late Tupac Shakur. In 2011, he helped win the release of the Scott Sisters who had served 16 years of double life prison sentences for an $11.00 (eleven-dollar) robbery. He successfully represented Lance Parker who was falsely accused of assault during the 1992 Los Angeles uprising which followed the brutal beating of Rodney King.

Since 1968, Mayor Lumumba has crisscrossed the globe to fight for ``Human Rights for Human Beings.'' He supported the survivors of Katrina by serving on the Board of the People's Hurricane Relief Fund and organizing other activists to form the Mississippi Disaster Relief Coalition and co-organizing the Gulf Coast Survivors Assembly. Mayor Lumumba's work as a community activist has spanned over four decades. He has worked with organizations such as the Jackson Human Rights Coalition, which pressured the State to retry the person who murdered Medgar Evers. He has worked for over twenty years organizing, directing, coaching, and mentoring youth through programs such as the Jackson Panthers Basketball Organization. He was also a devout member of Word and Worship Christian Church.

Prior to his election as Mayor, Mr. Lumumba served as Jackson City Councilman for Ward 2. Widowed by his late wife Nubia Alake, Mayor Lumumba was a loving and devoted father to his three children, Kambon Mutope, Rukia Kai and Chokwe Antar Lumumba. He was also the proud grandfather of Qadir Lumumba-Benjamin.

Mr. Speaker, I take great pride in recognizing Mayor Chokwe Lumumba as a bright, caring, and humble individual. I commend his outstanding and historical contributions to the City of Jackson, the State of Mississippi, the Civil Rights Movement, and national politics.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late remarkable public servant, Mrs. Delores Christina Brown Orey, who was born on September 24, 1932 in Martinsville, MS (the eldest of five children) to the late Mr. Alpheus and Mrs. Ella Brown.

Mrs. Delores Christina Brown Orey attended Piney Woods School and graduated from Parish High School in Hazlehurst, MS; did further study at Tuskegee Institute; and received her BA degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Sociology from Jackson State College. She became concerned about the disparate treatment that she and other African American Mississippians received and joined the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People under the leadership of Dr. Aaron Henry.

She was very dedicated to the NAACP and served the organization in various capacities. She worked as Secretary in the NAACP State Office and also drove Dr. Henry around the State to investigate discrimination complaints. She was jailed for her unwavering activism and spied on by the Mississippi State Sovereignty Commission.

During that time, she helped organize Voter Registration Drives and Boycotts. She invited Freedom Riders, both Black and White, to stay at her home even under the threat of violence and started a Freedom School at her church, Mt. Nebo. She attended and helped to organize many marches for Civil Rights alongside Medgar Wiley Evers, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr., to name a few. She also ran for the Mississippi House of Representatives, and unfortunately, her opponent was killed in an airplane crash. The Governor of record appointed a white male who had lost the race rather than following procedure for Mrs. Orey to assume the post. In her continuing quest for equality, Mrs. Orey children integrated the Jackson Public Schools.

Because of her activism on behalf of the poor and disenfranchised, she developed a special relationship with former President Jimmy Carter and was invited to represent Mississippi in his inaugural parade. She was a close confidant of former Governor Cliff Finch and this led to her son, Alfonso and his wife, Sadie, becoming the first Blacks to have an official wedding ceremony on the grounds of the Governor's Mansion. She was one of the first Head Start Directors for Mississippi Action for Progress and worked for the MS Council on Aging and was an AARP Volunteer. She loved children and served as NAACP State Youth Advisor for several terms. She mentored many young people among them our immediate past NAACP National President, Benjamin Todd Jealous, and our current Mississippi State Conference President, Derrick Johnson. Mrs. Orey has been credited with maintaining the Jackson Branch NAACP through the years by serving in all capacities from President to Treasurer to Secretary. She received numerous honors and prestigious awards throughout her distinguished life.

Mrs. Orey enjoyed spending time with her loving family. They shared her passion for her advocacy. On numerous occasions they accompanied her to various activist events, especially her beloved national NAACP Conventions.

On January 8, 2014, Veteran Mississippi Civil Rights Worker and champion for social justice, Mrs. Delores Orey transitioned this life. She was a heroine who was truly loved by her family and friends and will be missed by all.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Delores Christina Brown Orey for her dedication to serving.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Johnny B. Thomas of Glendora, Mississippi. Mr. Thomas is also the Mayor of Glendora, March 16, 1982 to current.

Since this month is February, which is Black History month, and considering the historical journey Mr. Thomas has traveled, I felt he deserves to be honored. His present is tied to his history which is tied to an era, a place, and his parents.

Era: He was born November 30, 1953 in Glendora, MS at a time when the State of Mississippi was a segregated society. He got his early education on life as he traveled the dirt roads of Glendora, the plantations and cotton fields of Tallahatchie County and the juke joints.

In 1953 the United States was engaged in a discussion on ending segregation in schools. At the same time, Mississippi was making plans to prevent it, should it become a federal law. In 1954 the United States Supreme Court in Brown vs. Board of Education outlawed desegregation in schools. There were glaring disparities between Black and White communities. The Mississippi Sovereignty Commission was established in 1956. Disenfranchisement laws like Poll taxes and literacy tests were widespread across the State to keep Blacks from voting.

The Place: The County is Tallahatchie, also known as ``The Free State of Tallahatchie.'' The place is Glendora and the year is 1955. Glendora is a small rural town that has always maintained a very small population. It is also one of the places tied to moments in history which helped fuel the civil rights movement. The events were the August 28, 1955 murder of Emmett Louis Till, and the December 1955 murder of Mr. Clinton Melton and his wife, Beulah Melton in March 1956. Although he was still a child the effects of this would follow him the rest of his life. No longer was Glendora unknown after this; in fact overnight it became an international sensation, forever having its own grey cloud.

His Parents: Mr. Thomas was the second child of twelve born to Mr. Henry Lee Loggins and Ms. Adeline Hill. His parents were Mississippi sharecroppers. His mother worked in a juke joint called King Place. King Place became well known as it was tied to the Emmett Till murder as the place where reporters went to get information and answers about rumors of Blacks having been involved in the murder. His mother was that witness. He often worked in King Place to earn money as a young boy. His father, Henry Lee, worked as an overseer for J.W. Milam on his farm. J.W. Milam along with his brother, Roy Bryant, were the two white men charged with and acquitted of the murder of Emmett Louis Till. His father had to make a life altering decision after being accused of participating in the Emmett Till murder. After death threats on his life and his family, he decided to leave Glendora and go into hiding to protect the family. Mr. Thomas made it his life-long quest to clear his father's name.

His Present: He said he has an etched memory of the hardships of Black folk in the segregated south, the Glendora murders and how they affected his family. It was through those experiences and others that he gained the wisdom and passion for helping his people and ultimately led to him becoming a civil rights activist in Tallahatchie County. He never shied away from a challenge or ran from danger.

Mr. Thomas has been an entrepreneur, giving it up only to answer his calling to public service. In 1975 he became the first Black constable in Tallahatchie County. In 1982, he became the second Black Mayor of Glendora.

In 1985 he became the first Black elected County Supervisor. A strong countywide effort was launched against him as the first Black supervisor even though the district in which he won was eighty percent Black. The case was taken all the way to the Mississippi State Supreme Court within thirty days of being elected. The results were not in his favor as the Mississippi Supreme Court overturned the election result and Mr. Thomas was removed from office. The NAACP selected him to serve on the original Redistricting Committee on Voting in the County. The challenges he experienced and knowledge he gained made him take the stand as a plaintiff in several lawsuits opposing countywide redistricting plans in the years 1980, 1990, 2000, and 2010.

As the Mayor of Glendora, he has established the Emmett Till Historic Intrepid Center (ETHIC) which is a state of the art Museum. He is also credited with the creation and incorporation of the Glendora Economic and Community Development Corporation. To his credit is also the Emmett Till Memorial Park and Nature Trail. This trail is located on the infamous Black Bayou which is the initial drop-off site of Emmett Till's body, according to his father, Henry Lee Loggins.

The Black Bayou is also the same body of water in which the drive-off and murder of Mrs. Beulah Melton took place. Mr. Thomas's vision for Glendora has expanded to now include the Glendora Sonny Boy Williamson Bed and Breakfast. Every year to address healthcare for citizens, he and the town host an annual Breast Cancer awareness and screening to provide free breast cancer screening to all citizens. This effort is made possible through Calvary Baptist Church of New York, NY and Partners in Development of Boston, MA.

Mr. Johnny B. Thomas, a man created by an era, a place, and events but made for today. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this member of Black History, Mr. Johnny B. Thomas, the honorable Mayor of Glendora from the Second Congressional District of Mississippi.