Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mr. Archie Tucker.

In 1974, while still in high school, Mr. Tucker was hired by former ARS Mid-South Director Ed King as a biological aide during a time when there were no minority administrators or scientists at the station. Since then, Mr. Tucker has followed a nearly four-decade career as one of the highest-ranking African-Americans in the ARS's Mid-South Area.

After graduating from Leland High School, Mr. Tucker enrolled at Mississippi Valley State University while retaining his part-time job at the ARS's Stoneville station. He majored in business administration to gain administrative knowledge to go along with the research expertise he was learning each week.

After graduating from the MVSU, Mr. Tucker was promoted to a full- time biological lab technician in 1980.

Seven years later, he again was promoted to area property manager and eight years later, he became the first African-American Area Administrative Officer in ARS history. Mr. Tucker noted that each promotion brought additional responsibilities.

In 1997, Mr. Tucker became the Mid-South's Area's first African- American Deputy Mid-South Area Director and in 2011, broke another barrier by assuming his current post as Mid-South Area Assistant Director.

Mr. Tucker is charged with managing a $110 million annual budget and has overseen the renovation of the Jamie Whitten Center, the service's main facility in Stoneville, the principal headquarters of the Mid- South area, which includes Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Louisiana. Here, Mr. Tucker oversees research stations employing more than 1,000 workers in all. Mr. Tucker credits others, particularly former Director King, for his advancement.

The Stoneville offices were recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, for their diversity. Mr. Tucker said the station now includes many African-American administrators and scientists.

Mr. Tucker has made assisting future scientists, a priority, collaborating on research projects with several traditionally black schools, including Alcorn State, Tuskegee and Alabama A&M Universities.

The Stoneville station also has been involved with local school districts, conducting tours for students and in 2012 launched the Future Scientists Program, a collaboration between the service and the Texas A&M University Extension Program, which has scientists visiting classrooms, judging science fairs and students touring the Stoneville facilities.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Archie Tucker for his dedication to serving others and giving back to the African-American community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today as the voice of 184,995 workers in my state that will be positively affected by the minimum wage increase--nearly 20% of my state's total workforce.

Families and parents are struggling financially because we have failed to keep up with the rising costs of living.

The Economic Policy Institute found that ``at the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, a parent who works full time, year round, [still] does not earn enough to be above the federal poverty line.''

For these Americans, working hard year round will not be a gateway to gradual success, because in their realities, it does not even mean that you will be above the federal poverty line.

For these parents, our very own constituents, the pursuit of happiness, the American dream, and ultimately being able to mobilize economically is but a faint light forever out of reach.

In 2009, we raised the minimum wage in order to keep up with the rising costs of living thereby admitting that an irresponsible minimum wage causes financial hardship for the families that we are elected to represent.

People, we have a track record for making the impossible possible for Americans, so, now, I speak on behalf of those families in need when I say that we have a responsibility as public servants to see to it that a parent who works full time, year round, can live above the poverty line.

It is our moral obligation to see to it that our families earning minimum wage can have the means to economic mobility. Thus, we as legislators should rise to this challenge in order to ensure that all Americans have not only the opportunity to pursue their happiness--but that they also have the means to achieving success.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Cherri Branson on the occasion of her retirement from the United States House of Representatives, after more than twenty-four years of faithful and dedicated service. She is the kind of public servant who brings credit to this institution and the people we are honored to serve.

Cherri began her long and multi-faceted career in the House in 1989 and, over two decades, has served in various policy, legal and legislative positions, including Legislative Counsel, Legislative Director, and Committee Counsel.

I first became familiar with Cherri in the late 1990s, in the course of pursuing justice for African-American farmers who, for decades, had been systematically discriminated against by the Agriculture Department. That long-fought effort culminated in the enactment of statutory language that set the stage for a landmark discrimination settlement for impacted farmers (Pigford v. Glickman).

It was not until 2005, when I became the Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, that Cherri began working for me. In her time on the Committee, she rose through the ranks and, at retirement, was serving as the Chief Counsel for Oversight.

Among her key accomplishments on the Committee was the oversight work she led in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The investigations that she oversaw in the wake of this massive disaster shed light on waste, fraud, and unfair practices that harmed not only impacted individuals, but the American taxpayer. This oversight set the stage for meaningful reforms to help bring about a fair and equitable distribution of resources to survivors of the disaster, better processes to ensure distribution of immediate relief in a timely manner, and more opportunities for impacted local, small, minority and women-owned businesses to participate in recovery efforts.

On the Committee, she has led investigations of national significance, including the investigation of the White House State Dinner Security Breach (the Salahi case) which led to tightened security procedures within the Secret Service's Presidential Protection process.

Prior to joining the Committee, Cherri conducted investigations with the House of Representatives Government Reform (Oversight) Committee. The most notable outcomes of those investigations included the strengthening of protections for children involved in medical clinical trials, equitable tax treatment for Holocaust survivors, and several reviews of federal policies concerning illicit drugs.

During her career in the House, Cherri has directly served on the staffs of Members of Congress from diverse geographic and demographic areas, including New York, Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Hawaii, California and Mississippi. Through her work on behalf of Committee Members, she has come to know and appreciate the concerns of Americans in nearly every corner of the country.

In her work in the House, Cherri displayed that rare combination of steadfast and reliable care for ordinary Americans and a skillful ability to do battle on their behalf.

Even as Cherri closes a chapter of distinction and accomplishment in the House of Representatives, she continues to dedicate her diverse talents to serving others. She, quite literally, is living the famous adage coined by former Speaker of the House, Thomas P. O'Neill Jr.-- ``all politics is local''--by taking on the responsibility of representing the residents of Maryland's Montgomery County District 5 on the County Council.

On behalf of myself, the Democratic Members of the Committee on Homeland Security, and this institution, I extend my sincere appreciation to Cherri for all her great work. I also wish to acknowledge her loving family--husband Donald, and son, Avery--on their contributions. I urge Members to join me in extending our best wishes to Cherri upon her retirement and in her future endeavors.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a hardworking and self motivated man, Mr. Jerry L. Smith.

Mr. Jerry Smith was born in Hollandale, Mississippi on July 27, 1953 to Rev. C. B. and Hattie Smith. He was reared on a farm. He graduated from Anguilla High School in 1971 and in May 1975 from Mississippi Valley State University with a B. S. Degree in Industrial Technology.

Mr. Smith was enlisted in the U. S. Air Force as a Second Lieutenant from July, 1975 to August, 1978. In 1979, he started working for Asmco as a plant manager for 10 years. He started farming around 1994 and has been farming ever since. His motto is, ``In order to make your life better you have to get up each day and strive for that''.

Mr. Smith is married to Patsy Smith and to that union they have one child, Nicholas. He is an active member of St. Paul M. B. Church.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Jerry L. Smith.

Mr. Chairman, let me thank the ranking member of the committee, the gentleman from Oregon, for allowing me to speak in support of this legislation even though he has reserved time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 3590, the Sportsmen's Heritage And Recreational Enhancement Act of 2013. Today's bill is the product of the work of members of the bipartisan Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, which I serve as cochair. The Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus is the largest caucus in Congress, boasting nearly 300 members. The caucus seeks to advance hunting, angling, shooting, and trapping legislative priorities. Today's bill is comprised of eight individual bills that seek to promote these interests.

Mr. Chairman, not only is hunting and fishing a great passion for millions of individuals like myself, it is also a major contributor to the U.S. economy. Mississippi, home to some of the world's finest duck, whitetail, and sport fishing, contributed $2.2 billion to the economy in 2011 alone.

My congressional district receives scores of visitors each year, including some Members of this body, who come to enjoy the vast natural resources that the Mississippi Delta has to offer. When these individuals visit Mississippi, they hire local outfitters, stay in our hotels, eat at our restaurants, pay State hunting fees, and purchase hunting gear like Primos brand hunting calls, which are produced in my district in Flora, Mississippi. In fact, it has been estimated that hunting and fishing supports 33,000 jobs in Mississippi.

Mr. Chairman, the bill before us today makes improvements to a wide range of issues, including the ability to purchase duck stamps online; statutorily establish the Wildlife Hunting and Heritage Conservation Council, which was administratively formed by Secretaries Salazar and Vilsack in 2012. It also reduces a financial burden on States and local governments for target range construction and maintenance. It also excludes commercial ammo and fishing tackle from being classified as toxic substances, which the EPA has agreed. It also directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to issue a permit and assess an annual fee for commercial filming crews of five people or fewer for activities on Federal lands and waterways administered by the Secretary. It also allows law-abiding citizens to transport firearms across Army Corps of Engineers projects like the hundreds of miles of levee that I have in my district. And it also opens up more Federal land to hunting and fishing.

Mr. Chairman, while this bill makes tremendous strides to meet the needs of sportsmen, there are several other provisions that were not included in this bill that we must continue to push for, including an overhaul of the Red Snapper Management in the Gulf of Mexico, the ability to convert decommissioned oil rigs to fish habitat, and the reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. I look forward to working with my colleagues to address these issues.

Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3590.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable Christian organization, The Non-Denomination House of Prayer.

The Non-Denomination House of Prayer was founded in 1948 by Pastor Charity Waffer in the historical city of Mound Bayou, Mississippi. Pastor Waffer was the first female pastor in the Mississippi Delta. As a pastoral pioneer she was instrumental in opening doors for women and youths through various church auxiliaries and functions. Her leadership guided many to various freedoms and liberties.

The current overseer is Dr. Earnestine Flowers which over sees other churches in Mississippi with the communities of Duncan, Batesville, Sardis, Oxford and in Chicago, Illinois. The Non-Denomination House of Prayer in the City of Mound Bayou current ministerial leaders are Pastor Willie Joe Flowers, Assistant Pastor Carl Henry, and Minister Martha Sanders.

They have increased the church membership and have embarked on renovating and expanding their facilities in order to continue to be a blessing to its members, community, and surrounding communities by being able to be a place of refuge to those who are hungry physically and spiritually and by offering comprehensive programs to meet the needs of others.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Non- Denomination House of Prayer for their dedication in being a corner stone in the Mound Bayou Community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Will T. Turner, Sr., who is a remarkable Civil Rights Worker, Extraordinary and public servant.

Mr. Will T. Turner, Sr. was born in Jefferson County, Mississippi on February 23, 1930 to Rena and Warren Turner, Sr. At the age of 7, his mother died shortly after childbirth and his Uncle and Aunt, Howard and Mary Lou Nichols, reared him along with his siblings.

Mr. Turner, Sr. attended Jefferson County Training School. Being independent and desiring a better life, at the age of 16 he began working with Sidney Brown, a white contractor. He remained in his employment for 20 years. During this period he became adept in the construction field and well known in this arena. He was approached to do private jobs, independent of Sidney Brown, which led to the beginning of Turner Construction.

Well known throughout the community for his generosity and kindness, Mr. Turner, Sr. became instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement in Fayette, Mississippi. In 1963, he moved Charles Evers, brother of slain civil rights advocate Medgar Evers, to Fayette. He became instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement of Fayette, Mississippi as well as the surrounding communities. He attended weekly NAACP Mass Meetings, participated in numerous civil rights marches and was often jailed for equality and justice for all.

In 1964, Mr. Turner, Sr. was elected as one of the first Black Aldermen to serve in a bi-racial town in the State of Mississippi along with four other blacks and Charles Evers as Mayor. He served three terms as an Alderman of the City of Fayette. He also served as Coroner of Jefferson County for 24 years.

Mr. Turner, Sr. is married to the former Florence Clark and they are the proud parents of two sons--Will T., Jr. and Perry (deceased) and five daughters--Delories, Mary, Patricia, Tina and Janice.

After working to register people to vote, after encouraging others to participate in the work of the movement in several different places, Mr. Turner participated in the slate of blacks seeking to make changes with the elected officials in the town of Fayette and they were all elected.

When elected to the Board of Alderman of Fayette, he was interviewed by JET magazine and they were all published in that month's issue of Jet.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a Civil Rights Worker Extraordinaire, Mr. Will T. Turner, Sr., for his dedication to serving others and giving back to the African American community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable civil rights advocate and public servant, Mr. L.C. Leach, Sr. Throughout his remarkable life, Mr. Leach made unprecedented strides towards the ongoing battle of ensuring civil rights for African Americans in his community.

Born February 7, 1927, Mr. Leach was a lifelong resident of Bolton, Mississippi. He received his formal education at Champion Hill Elementary School, Champion Hill High School, and Southern Christian Institute College. He received additional education at Jackson State University and became a prominent figure in the community through his employment at Universal Life Insurance, located in Jackson, Mississippi.

As an African American male living in a small rural town of segregated Mississippi, Mr. Leach witnessed and endured many injustices towards himself and others in the community. But with the necessity of change beckoning his spirit, Mr. Leach set aside any fears or reservations he may have had to help his community rise above the systematic inequalities of segregation.

Through a coordinated effort with other African American members of the community, Mr. Leach put forth his determination to integrate the white-only elementary school in Bolton, Mississippi by sending his son (along with three other African American students) to attend class there. Although many in town were uneasy with the decision to do so (both whites and blacks), the stance proceeded without incident.

Using the stance on the white-only elementary school as a catalyst for advancing other significant changes in the community, Mr. Leach became an avid member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. He worked extremely close with many other civil rights advocates in the state, most notably brothers Charles and Medgar Evers.

Through organized boycotts orchestrated through the NAACP, Mr. Leach and others were instrumental in integrating white-only grocery stores in Jackson, Mississippi, the Jackson Zoological Park, and public restrooms and water fountains in and around the city of Jackson. At times, Mr. Leach helped local residents strategize boycott tactics under the cover of his insurance office.

In addition to advocating for the dismantlement of segregation, Mr. Leach will be forever known for his courage in seeking and obtaining the elected position as first African American Alderman of Bolton, Mississippi. After serving as Alderman, he would later sit as Judge Leach of Bolton, as well as spearhead an effort with other community leaders to establish the community's first Head Start program for area preschool children to attend.

Through all his community advocacy and public servitude, Mr. Leach was a wonderful husband and father. He was married to his loving wife, Earnestine Perry Leach, for 55 years at the time of his death. He has two sons (Joe and L.C., Jr.) and two daughters (Veronica and Bobbie) who also will continue

to carry on the legacy of Mr. L.C. Leach, Sr. He transcended this life on earth on April 28, 2008.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. L.C. Leach, Sr. for his dedication and service as a civil rights advocate and pioneer during the civil rights movement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Dianne J. Taylor, an employee of the Mississippi Department of Human Services for over twenty years.

The opportunity to become a civil servant of any branch of the government is a great privilege to be able to serve the American people. Dianne graduated from Troy State University in 1993 with her B.S. Degree in Resource Management and shortly afterwards she began her career with the Mississippi Department of Human Services in that same year.

In an effort to build upon her academic training and hands on learning within the agency, Dianne returned to school and received her MBA from Delta State University in 2004.

During this entire time, she maintained her employment as a case manager in Tallahatchie County where she administers the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. This program is designed to help single parents become self-sufficient so that they can transition off of public assistance.

Dianne has all intentions of retiring as a civil servant employee, realizing the opportunity given to her twenty years ago has been not only more than a privilege but rewarding by allowing her to help others in need.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Dianne J. Taylor for her longevity and dedication to helping others as an employee of the Mississippi Department of Health and Human Services.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a multi-talented young lady, Miss Gabrielle Nicole Terrett.

Gabrielle Nicole Terrett is the 14-year-old daughter of Dr. Andre and Attorney Toni Terrett. She is the eldest of five and a 9th grader at Warren Central High School in Vicksburg.

Gabrielle is an all around student that has excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities. She is a member of the Warren Central Big Blue Band flute section. She also plays the violin and has performed at local nursing homes over the years.

Gabrielle has received several awards including placing 1st in Jewelry in the Hobbs-Freeman Art competition-2012, 2nd place in the Hobbs-Freeman Art competition-2012, 2nd place in the 2013 Blacks in Government Oratorical Contest, 3rd in the 2012 NAACP essay contest, and 2nd Runner Up in the 2013 Miss Southland Pageant.

Gabrielle volunteers at the Mountain of Faith Women's Shelter Retail Store. As a volunteer she helps stock shelves, organize the store and assist customers to the store. She is very pleasant to work with and supports the Women's Shelter as often as possible. In her spare time she enjoys quiet time reading, preparing for pageants, and shopping.

She is a faithful member of Pleasant Green Baptist Church in Vicksburg, MS where she is active in Sunday school.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Miss Gabrielle Nicole Terrett for her hard work, dedication and a strong desire to achieve.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mr. Derrick Johnson who is State president of the Mississippi State Conference NAACP. Elected in 2004, he is the youngest State president in the country.

Mr. Johnson earned his Jurist Doctorate degree from South Texas College of Law in Houston, TX and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, MS.

After completing law school Mr. Johnson joined the staff of Southern Echo, Inc., a non-profit organization located in Jackson, Mississippi, serving as the regional organizer. He provided legal, technical, and training support for communities within 6 States across the south (Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, Arkansas, and South Carolina).

Mr. Johnson has GIS (Geographic Information System) and Database Management training and has provided redistricting services to municipal and county governments across the State of Mississippi.

Mr. Johnson served as a Fellow with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation in Washington, DC, while working in the office of Congressman Bennie G. Thompson and as a Fellow with the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management Minority Fellowship Program.

In response to Hurricane Katrina's devastation in Mississippi, Mr. Johnson was appointed to serve as vice-chair of the Governor's Commission for Recovery, Rebuilding and Renewal. He has become a leading voice for the equitable rebuilding for the working poor in the aftermath of the hurricane. He serves on many Boards: the Mississippi ACLU, Hope Community Credit Union, and the Advisory Council of the Mississippi Economic Policy Center.

Mr. Johnson was appointed by the Chief Justice of the Mississippi Access to the Justice Commission.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Derrick Johnson for his dedication to serving others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor SSG Monica Rena' Jones Davis, who is a remarkable Veteran and public servant.

SSG Monica Rena' Jones Davis is a lifelong resident of Crystal Springs, MS in Copiah County. She was born on December 10, 1974 to Mrs. Irene Sandifer Jones.

SSG Jones Davis attended Crystal Springs Elementary, Middle and High School and graduated 1993. The same year of her graduation, Monica joined the United States Army Reserves. Following that, she enrolled at Hinds Community College, graduated in 1995 and later attended Jackson State University.

SSG Jones Davis was raised by her mother Irene Sandifer Jones and her grandmother Eunice Sandifer and joined Brushy Creek Missionary Baptist Church at the age of 3 years old. Some of her obligations at church are: Vice-President of Brushy Creek Sanctuary Choir; a member of Mission Ministry; Sunday School Teacher; Youth Choir Director/Advisor; and Minister of Music for the Brushy Creek/New Hope Association.

SSG Jones Davis was a member of the United States Army reserve from 1993-2004

and while she was in the reserve, her duty at the 296th Transportation Unit in Brookhaven, MS was an 88MI Truck Driver and also Commander Driver.

SSG Monica Rena' Jones Davis is married to Roderick Davis and they have three beautiful children: A'mya, Malik and Eunicesia. She works at Copiah County School and is a member of Heroines of Jericho Hopewell Court #118 in Georgetown, MS.

SSG Monica Rena' Jones Davis's love for the youths is well known by all. She shows up every Sunday with a truck load of young boys who enjoy going to church with her. She has been Vice President for the Crystal Springs Youth Sports League for the past 5 years; also she plays a major role with the Crystal Springs Pee-Wee Basketball League.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a Veteran, SSG Monica Rena' Jones Davis, for her dedication to serving her country, community and the youth.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a hardworking and self motivated man, Rev. Dr. Victor Dixon.

Rev. Dr. Victor Dixon was born in Georgetown, MS to the late Rev. E. C. Dixon and Mrs. Lena Dixon.

Pastor Dixon currently resides in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. He is married to Mrs. Lavoise Singleton Dixon. They are the proud parents of two children: Kristy and Stephen; three grandchildren: Bralon, Branson and Bria; and a son-in-law, Reginald Robinson.

Pastor Dixon is a very dedicated and active man. He is the Pastor of Egypt Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Crystal Springs, MS for over 19 years; He is the President of the Copiah County Ministerial Alliance; President, as well as a student, at Bethel Christian College, Hazlehurst Campus; Board Member for the General Mississippi Baptist State Convention; Executive Director of the Music Department of the General Mississippi Baptist State Convention;

He has served as the Director for the Copiah County Ministerial Alliance Abstinence Only and Parental Involvement Programs from 2005 thru 2010; Executive Chairperson for the Copiah County Democratic Party; a member of the Tri County Healthy Marriage Coalition; the leader singer of the Legendary Dixon's Singers; and Past Board Member of the Boys and Girls Club of Copiah County.

Pastor Dixon is the Owner and Operator of Dixon's Body and Auto Sales, Inc. and very dedicated to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dynamic and dedicated businessman, pastor and community activist, Rev. Dr. Victor Dixon.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Mr. Sam Gleese. Mr. Gleese is a lifelong resident of Jackson, Mississippi.

Mr. Gleese graduated from high school in 1966 and enrolled that fall at Jackson State College, (which is now Jackson State University) where he majored in business administration. After graduation on 1970, Mr. Gleese joined a management training program conducted by K-Mart.

In January of 1985 Mr. Gleese was assigned the worst vending in the state of Mississippi. Because of his degree in business

administration, his phenomenal record in personal rehabilitation, and his work history in the grocery business, officials decided that he needed no more training, but could learn the program in his own location. He spent two years in that facility, mastering the business and improving his techniques. Then during the next several years he moved to better locations.

In 1992 Mr. Gleese bid on an excellent facility for his business and was denied the bid, then he appealed the decision, which eventually came down, but did not give him personal redress. The incident did correct unfair practices that had plagued many vendors in Mississippi for years. In April of 1994 Mr. Gleese, with the help of his wife, Mrs. Vanessa Gleese, became the manager of one of the largest food service operations in the state-vending program.

Mr. Gleese has always been active in the Missionary Baptist Church. From 1973 to 1990 he taught the adult Sunday school class in his own church, and in 1980 he became a deacon. He was ordained to the ministry in November of 1992 and is now senior associate minister at the College Hill Baptist Church.

In 1992 Mr. Gleese was first elected to the board of directors of the National Federation of the Blind, where he continues to serve with distinction. He has dedicated his life to educating the public, blind and sighted alike, about the abilities of blind people.

In August of 2001 Mr. Gleese accepted a position as an Independent Living Specialist with LIFE (Living Independence for Everyone) of central Mississippi. This position provided opportunities to work with adolescents with special health care needs in Mississippi between the ages of fourteen and twenty-one. In January of 2002 Mr. Gleese became the statewide project director for the Healthy Futures grants. This position enhances Mr. Gleese's opportunity to serve all adolescents with special health care needs, including blind people.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Sam Gleese for his dedication to serving others and giving back to the community he grew up in.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a Veteran, Staff SGT Tommie Jackson, of the United States Army.

Staff SGT Tommie Jackson was born April 3, 1942 in Copiah County to French and Bessie Jackson. He is the youngest of 12.

Staff SGT Jackson is a member of Brushy Creek Missionary Church where he grew up in the small community of Brushy Creek located in Copiah County.

Staff SGT Jackson married Anna R. Jackson and they have four (4) children: James, French, David and Antoinita Jackson.

Staff SGT Jackson attended William Henry Holtzclaw School located in Crystal Springs, MS. He graduated and attended Utica Junior College, Hinds Community College and Military Police Academy.

Staff SGT Jackson joined the United States Army in 1965, He was stationed in Colorado Springs, CO. His duties there were Special Services and Drill Sgt. Some of the Courses he took while in service are: ATP 21-114, Code of conduct, COURSE-A NON JUD Punishment, and COURSE--B Mil Just, Geneva Convention. He served in Vietnam for one year, four months and twenty seven days.

Staff SGT Jackson came from Vietnam in 1968, earned the rank of SGT (P) E5 and joined the National Guard where he remained until retirement as Staff SGT making a total of over 24 years of dedicated service to his country.

Some of the medals and ribbons received while serving are: Good Conduct, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dynamic and dedicated Veteran, Staff SGT Tommie Jackson.