Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a fellow Mississippian, and pay tribute to a veteran of The United States Army, Mr. Walter Franklin.

Sgt. Franklin is a native of Washington County, MS. He is the fifth child born to Mr. L.A. and Bessie Franklin. His education was received through Weddington Elementary School and TL Weston High School in Greenville, MS.

Sgt. Franklin attended Basic Military Training at Fort Braggs, North Carolina. After basic training he was transferred to the military base in Louisiana. Sgt. Franklin was a staff sergeant in the Army and served his country for sixteen years.

Throughout his military career he served his country here in America as well as oversees. In the United States he was stationed in Georgia, Seattle Washington, California, and Alabama. Overseas, he served in countries like Germany and Vietnam. Sgt. Franklin was one of two sons of L.A. and Bessie Franklin to serve in the US military. His brother, Alonzo, was a member of the United States Marines.

Sgt. Franklin was unable to finish his career, which was his aim, due to an accident which severely damaged his leg. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he started his second career in security services and law enforcement. He worked for the Washington County Sheriff Department in Mississippi.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a veteran, Sgt. Walter Franklin, of The United States Army.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sgt. E-5 Anthony Montrell Lewis, who is a remarkable soldier and public servant.

Sgt. Anthony Montrell Lewis was born on November 3, 1989 in Jackson, MS to Joe Donnell & Carrie Ann Lewis. He is the youngest of their four children: Kina Lewis, Joey Lewis and Ronald Cleve.

Sgt. Lewis grew up in a small community called Brushy Creek where he attended Crystal Springs High School in Crystal Springs, MS and graduated in 2009.

Sgt. Lewis joined the United States Marine Corps in July 2009. His military occupation is Communications and his last duty station was 3rd Battalion 5th Marines.

Sgt. Lewis is currently in temporary duty station at the MCRD Recruiting School where his graduation date will be December 19, 2013. He wants to continue to serve his country.

Sgt. Lewis currently lives in Oceanside, CA and is happily married to Kennya Tisa Lewis.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated soldier, Sgt. E-5 Anthony Montrell Lewis, for his dedication to serving others and our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable public servant, Captain Ike Singletary II who is currently assigned as the Assistant Professor of Military Science at Jackson State University and Mississippi Valley State University.

A native of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Captain Singletary entered the Army as a commissioned officer in 2006. Captain Singletary

competed for and received a three-year ROTC scholarship as a freshman at Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina; he would transfer to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, Pembroke, North Carolina the second semester of his freshmen year.

Captain Singletary graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a focus in Management. Upon graduation, Captain Singletary commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Quartermasters Corp (USAR). His first assignment was Transportation Officer and Executive Officer for the 385th Transportation Detachment (Movement Control Team) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina from May, 2006- July, 2007.

In July 2007, Captain Singletary was cross-leveled to the 221st Ordinance Company (Ammunition Modular) in Fort Wayne, Indiana and became a Platoon Leader of a Medium Lift Platoon tasked to prepare the company for the upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. While in Afghanistan from March 2008-April 2009, then Second Lieutenant Singletary was hand-selected to become the Officer-in-Charge of Bagram Airfield Ammunition Supply Point, the largest Ammunition Supply Point in Afghanistan.

From April 2009-October 2012, Captain Singletary served as the Commander of 385th Transportation Detachment (Movement Control Team) in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During this time, he mobilized in support of the U.S. Homeland Defense Office Command and Control Consequence Response Element (C2CRE) from January 2012 to October 2012. From December 2012 to June 2013, Captain Singletary served as Supply Officer for the 207th Digital Liaison Team in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In May 2013, Captain Singletary accepted an Active/Guard Reserve (AGR) tour.

Captain Singletary is currently on a Military Leave of Absence from the Department of the Army Civilian Corps where he is employed as a Supply Technician at the 171st Infantry Brigade, Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

Captain Singletary holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Webster University and has been awarded the Demonstrated Master Logistician Citation from SOLE--The International Society of Logistics and the Army Logistic University.

Captain Singletary's military education includes: the Quartermaster Officer Basic and Advance Course; Combined Logistics Captain Career Course; Unit Mobilization Planner Course; Hazardous Materials First Responder at the Operational Level Course; Contracting Officer Representative Course; and Support Operations Course.

His awards and decorations include: the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1OLC), Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M-device, NATO-ISAF Medal, and the Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (1OLC).

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Captain Ike Singletary II for serving our country honorably.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a Veteran, SFC E-7 Lonnie James Roberson, of the United States Army.

SFC E-7 Lonnie James Roberson was born on November 13, 1951 in Simpson County Mississippi, to the parentage of Mr. Lonnie Lee and Zeffie Lee Roberson. His siblings are: Joseph Williams; Stella Young of Chicago, IL; Dorothy Milton of McGee, MS; Mary Jane; Kenny; Karen; Patricia; and Joann of Harrisville, MS; and Jimmy Dale of Mendenhall,

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a fellow Mississippian, and pay tribute to a soldier of The United States Air Force, Sgt. Marquita A. George of Sunflower County, Mississippi.

Sgt. George is the only child born to Terri and the stepdaughter of a former Navy man, Mr. Eddie Bentley, Jr. She is a native of Moorhead, MS. Sgt. George received her early education from the East Sunflower Elementary School and Gentry High School in Indianola, MS.

Sgt. George went on to pursue higher education at Alcorn State University and Mississippi State University, but put her pursuit on hold to answer a burning desire. She had to enlist in the military. She knew she could kill two birds with one stone. Sgt. George enlisted in The United States Air Force.

August 5, 2005, Sgt. George attended Basic Military Training in San Antonio, TX. After graduating basic training, she went to Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, MS and studied at the Technical School for Information Management (TSIM) learning about computers. After graduating TSIM she was transferred to Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL. At Maxwell Air Force Base she was able to put her computer education to work by becoming scheduling technician, personnel liaison, and a computer technician for student officers from Majors to Lieutenant Colonels. While at Maxwell Air Force, Sgt. George also earned her Associate's Degree in Information Management from the Community College of the Air Force.

Sgt. George has been deployed three times oversees. Her tours include Kirkuk, Iraq; Baghdad, Iraq; and Al Udeid Qatar. While on deployment in Baghdad she was decorated with the Joint Commendation Medal. This medal was for a joint special secret service mission with The United States Navy, The United States Marines, and The United States Army to locate Sadaam Hussein.

Sgt. George is currently a Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the Official Mail Center at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, AR. On this assignment she is improving her supervision skills by supervising a great team of Airmen to operate the mail distribution center for the base; and we all know mail is highly important to soldiers many of whom are constantly deployed and mobile. The mail must follow without hiccups. She said her goal is to be the supervisor she never had to those under her authority and prepare for her next supervision assignment.

Ultimately, Sgt. George has her eye sight set on becoming a Master Sergeant to obtain the duty title as a First Sergeant. I am pleased to hear from Sgt. George that her loyalty to the United States is faithful and just so much that she decided to re-enlist for another six more years, after which she will have fourteen years dedicated to serving and protecting our country. I am thankful and grateful for the service she has given us. Thank you Sgt. George.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a rising soldier of our United States Air Force, Sgt. Marquita A. George.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a hardworking and self motivated man, Rev. Arthur Evans, Sr.

Mr. Arthur Evans, Sr., a lifelong resident of Crystal Springs, MS was born on December 26, 1940. He is the son of the late Mr. ``Jim'' Evans and the late Mrs. Mattie Pearl Evans.

Mr. Evans originally started in the pulpwood hauling business in 1955 trading in his personal car for a pulpwood truck. By 1966, he moved into the gravel business. The business was a huge success. However, being a successful black business owner in 1966 in Mississippi did not come without the horrible racial obstacles of that time.

Mr. Evans was faced with unjust stipulations in contracts that would have never been included if he were white. His truck drivers were constantly harassed and even told ``they would continue to be pulled over unless they quit driving for this black man''.

Despite the ridicule and malice aimed toward him and his business, Mr. Evans continued to press on as he would not be bullied by bigotry and racial hatred. During the apex of his successful trucking business, Mr. Evans had a fleet of up twenty trucks hauling each day. Now, 55 years later, since the purchase of that pulpwood truck, Arthur Lee Evans Trucking is still going strong.

The owner, as strong as ever, is now known as Rev. Arthur Evans, Sr., since being called into ministry in December, 2000.

Rev. Evans has been married to Mrs. Johnnie Mae Evans for 54 years and is the proud father of 5 children, 15 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.

``Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.'' by John Wesley, is the sentiments of the heart of Rev. Arthur Evans, Sr.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dynamic and dedicated businessman, Rev. Arthur Evans, Sr.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 1LT(P) Kina Tulane Lewis, who is a remarkable soldier and public servant.

1LT(P) Kina Tulane Lewis is a life time resident of Georgetown, MS. She was born in Copiah County on January 6, 1988 to Joe Donell and Carrie Ann Lewis. Ms. Lewis is the sister of three brothers: Ronald Cleve, Joey and Anthony Lewis.

1LT(P) Lewis attended Crystal Springs High School where she graduated and continued her education at Alcorn State University with a major in Business Administration.

1LT(P) Kina Tulane Lewis joined the United States Army in June 7, 2007 and was commissioned as officer in May 21, 2010.

1LT(P) Lewis is stationed at Fort Riley, KS with 1-7 FA as the Battalion S6. Some of 1LT(P) Lewis' duties are being in charge of communication systems, such as computers, radios, satellite systems and phones.

1LT(P) Lewis is still serving in the United States Army and the awards that she has received so far are: ARCOM and AAM.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dedicated solider, 1LT(P) Kina Tulane Lewis, for her dedication to serving others and our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Corporal Eugene Robinson, who is a remarkable Veteran, community and public servant.

Corporal Eugene Robinson was born on July 17, 1949 to L. J. and Lula Bell Robinson. He is the oldest of 8 children. His siblings are: Lula Mae R. Ward, Evelyn R. Roberson, Carolyn R. McCadney, Edward Robinson, Lawrence J. Robinson, Charles Robinson and Patrina R. Dace. He attended Brushy Creek Attendance Center located in the Brushy Creek Community until he graduated from the 8th grade and had to attend William Henry Holtzclaw School in Crystal Springs, MS and graduated in 1967.

Corporal Robinson joined the United States Marines in 1967 and served until 1971. He went to Parris Island, SC for his basic training and he had his Infantry and MOS training at Camp Lejeune. He was deployed from Camp Pendleton, CA, where he spent 19 months in the Vietnam War. His duty there was Motor Transport, which was hauling ammo and supplies to the front line. Afterwards, he was shipped back to Camp Lejeune, where he received an honorable discharge in September 1971.

Corporal Robinson's Medals and Ribbons received are: National Defense Service medal; Good conduct; Navy Unit Commendation; Combat Action Ribbon; Republic of Vietnam Service Medal; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Corporal Robinson is a member of Brushy Creek M. B. Church where he serves as the church secretary, Sunday school teacher and is on the Deacon's ministry for over 30 years.

Corporal Robinson also served his community as Assistant chief of Hopewell Volunteer Fire Dept, when it was first organized in the Hopewell Community and is an active member of Hopewell Lodge #507 F & AM where he currently serves as secretary.

Corporal Robinson is married to Joyce Murry Robinson and they have 3 children: Samantha Murfree, Eugene Robinson, II and Jarvis Robinson. To provide for his family Corporal Robinson followed in his father's footsteps and became a pulp wood hauler. He soon moved on to become a tree length logger being one of the first black loggers in the small community of Brushy Creek. He continued until he owned his own Logging Company and retired in 2012.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a remarkable servant and Veteran, Corporal Eugene Robinson, for his dedication to serving our country and others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Mr. Gregory L. Young. Mr. Young has shown what can be done through hard work, setting goals, and aiming high.

Gregory L. Young was born December 20, 1963 in Yazoo City, Mississippi to Doris and Neal Young. Gregory graduated from Yazoo City High School in May of 1981. He attended University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS from August 1981 to May of 1982 when he joined the United States Navy in the spring of 1982. In August of 1982 he began his U.S. Navy career at the Navy Recruit Training Command (NRTC) in Great Lakes, Illinois.

After graduating from his Navy (A) School, Gregory was assigned to the U.S.S. Estocin FFG-15 home ported at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. In October 1985 he transferred to the U.S.S. Charles F. Adams DDG-2 and served until February 1989. Later in February, 1989, Gregory transferred to Navy Recruiting District (NRD) St. Louis, MO and served as a Navy Recruiter in Columbia, Missouri until March, 1993. While on recruiting duty, he attained the rank of E-6 and ultimately served as the Recruiter in Charge of the local recruiting office.

After a successful tour of recruiting duty, he transferred to the U.S.S. Wainwright CG-28 home ported out of Charleston, South Carolina. He served onboard the U.S.S. Wainwright from April, 1993 until November, 1993 as a CIC Watch Supervisor.

In November, 1993 Gregory decided to leave the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged as an Operation Specialist First Class. He served his country honorably for a total of 11 years. During that time, he participated in three six month deployments, two Special Operations deployments and numerous exercises and humanitarian operations. He has also received numerous awards throughout his naval services including: Navy Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, U.S. Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation, Battle ``E'' Award (3), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Good Conduct Award (2), the Navy Recruiting Ribbon and Gold Wreath Award (2).

After Gregory's tenure with the U.S. Navy, he was hired by the SkyTel Corp. in May of 1994 as a Customer Service Representative in Jackson, MS. While in this position he was selected along with a few other employees to conduct testing of the Skytel Two Way Paging network through the United States. He was later promoted to Network Operator in the company's Network Operation Center. Gregory enjoyed working for SkyTel and stayed with the company until it was later sold and relocated in December, 2008. After a long period of unemployment due to the economic recession, he went to work for Comcast as a Customer Account Executive in February, 2010 and remained until November, 2010.

In December, 2010 Gregory accepted an offer from the Department of Homeland Security as a Transportation Security Officer (TSO) with the Transportation Security Agency (TSA). Currently, he is a dual certified TSO at the Jackson Municipal Airport. He was selected as TSO of the Quarter (April-June 2012) for the State of Mississippi. In January of 2013 he was selected as the TSO of The Year 2012 for the State of Mississippi.

Gregory is a devout member of North Jackson Baptist Church in Jackson, MS where he serves as a trustee.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Gregory L. Young for his dedication to serving our great Country and his community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable veteran, Mrs. Sherondra McGee Bailey. Mrs. Bailey has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and a desire to make a positive difference in serving others.

Sherondra McGee Bailey is a resident of Vicksburg, Mississippi born on August 8, 1982 to Beverly Thomas and Patrick Pope in New Orleans, LA. She is the oldest of eleven children born to Beverly Thomas. She graduated from South Delta High School in 2000.

After High School Sherondra attended the University of Southern Mississippi where she met and married Brandon Bailey and to that union they have one son, Brayden Bailey.

Sherondra enlisted in the United States Air Force in April 2008. She graduated number two in her Meteorologist class. She was later stationed at the Barksdale Air Force Base located in Louisiana.

Sherondra is a devout member of Clark Chapel United Methodist Church in Cary, MS. She enjoys time with family and friends.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. Sherondra McGee Bailey for her dedication to serving our great Country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkably dedicated and ambitious Army veteran, who has over 28 years of service to his country, Master Sergeant James M. Shinard, Sr.

Master Sergeant Shinard was born December 24, 1963 in Bolton, MS. He began his career in the armed forces in July 1985. Advancing through a number of military schools of training, Master Sergeant Shinard quickly advanced in rank from student to Squad Leader by January 1986. While serving as Team Leader, he was a part of the 1/17 Infantry Battalion 2 ID Camp Casey in Korea. As a Squad Leader, he was a part of the 155th Infantry Brigade Mississippi during Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991 and 87th Division Camp Shelby, Mississippi as a soldier during Iraqi Freedom from 2003 to 2010.

In addition to his active duty service with the Army, Master Sergeant Shinard performed with the Mississippi Army National Guard 155th Brigade (Mechanized) in Brookhaven, MS and with the United States Army Reserve as Observer Controller with the 3/346 Regt Battalion, 87th Division at Camp Shelby Mississippi, cumulatively from 1989 to 2003.

Throughout his service, he has been promoted four times to his current rank as Master Sergeant, promoted April 15, 2009 in the Army Reserve.

Throughout his 28 years of service, Master Sergeant Shinard has received numerous decorations and badges. Among those received are; the Humanitarian Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze Service Star), and Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with ``M'' Device and 20-Year Silver Hourglass). His present assignment is Mobilization/ Readiness NCO, 412 Theater Engineer Command (TPU) in Vicksburg, MS. Currently, Master Sergeant Shinard is also pursuing an educational degree at Belhaven University, which he plans to complete in June 2014.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Master Sergeant James M. Shinard, Sr. for his unwavering dedication and service as a respected veteran for his family, local community, and country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a veteran, Mr. D.W. Johnson. D.W. has shown what can be done through tenacity, dedication, and a desire to serve others.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a hardworking and self motivated woman, Lt. Juanita Mitchell.

Lt. Juanita Mitchell, a native of Mississippi, was born on May 30, 1972 in Lexington, Mississippi. She is the daughter of Mr. Jerry and Deloris Greer.

Lt. Mitchell is married to Shannon Mitchell and they have three children: Shannon, Ayanna and Tynishiwa. She has taught her kids as well as herself to study hard, pray and to excel for positive things in life to succeed for a promising future.

Lt. Mitchell received her education in the Holmes County Public School Systems, where she received her High School Diploma from Tchula Attendance Center in 1990.

Lt. Mitchell began her Law enforcement Career at the Holmes Humphrey's Correctional Facility in February 2000 and was given the duties as being a Correctional Officer as well as fulfilling the duties of being the Acting Sergeant for that shift. In 2004 she became a part time 911 Dispatcher for the Holmes County Sheriff Department.

Lt. Mitchell received a Promotion to become Holmes County Deputy Sheriff in April 2005. She attended the Mississippi Delta Community

College Law Enforcement Training Academy in October, 2005 where she received her Law Enforcement Certification.

In 2008 Lt. Mitchell became the first female Criminal Investigator and in the year 2012 she became the first female Lieutenant for that Department.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dynamic woman, Lt. Juanita Mitchell for her dedication to the community and the law enforcement.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of a Veteran, Mr. Roy Harper (1923-2011), of the United States Army.

Mr. Roy Harper was born July 20, 1923 to the parentage of Vollie & Estella Hartfield Harper in Hopewell in the state of Mississippi. Mr. Harper was the 2nd child of four (4) children. His siblings are: Gussie Harper Phillips, LeAngie Harper Brown and Nathaniel Harper.

Mr. Harper grew up in the Brushy Creek Community where he was a member of Brushy Creek M.B. Church. He joined at the early age of 10 years old and was baptized in the creek in back of Reno's Store. Mr. Harper served as: a trustee at Brushy Creek M.B. Church in 1963; a deacon; choir president; Cemetery section; and was a member of Brushy Creek Building fund committee.

Mr. Harper was married to Beulah Haley Harper and to this union three (3) children were born: Adell Harper, now deceased; Helen Harper Mckenny; and Willie Fred Harper.

Private Roy Harper was drafted in the United States Army on January, 1943 and was sent to Camp Shelby in Mississippi. He was honorably discharged from the United States Military Services in the Army Airbase in Lincoln, Nebraska on November 27, 1943. Private Harper received a Testimonial Certificate of Honest and Faithful Services to his country.

Mr. Roy Harper remained a member of Brushy Creek Church and held various positions throughout the years until his demise on December 17, 2011.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dynamic Veteran, Mr. Roy Harper.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable young lady that is a community servant, Ms. Kaylyn Antoinette Norwood, who has shown what can be done through hard work, setting goals, and aiming high.

Ms. Kaylyn Antoinette Norwood is the daughter of Marcus, Sr. and Linda Norwood of Crystal Springs, MS.

Ms. Norwood is a member of White Oak United Methodist Church where she sings in the choir and is a teacher for children's church.

Ms. Norwood attended Crystal Springs High School and was a member of Mu Alpha Theta, BETA Club, FBLA, Student Council, SADD Club, FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), Soccer and a Cheerleader. She received the highest overall GPA in 10th, 11th and 12th grades, highest GPA in English I, AP English II, Biology I, Spanish II, MS Studies, Algebra II, World History, JROTC II, BCT I, Human A & P and Highest Overall GPA Female Athlete (9th, 10th, & 11th grade) and the Robert Green Tiger Award (cheerleader).

Ms. Norwood graduated from Crystal Springs High School on May 24, 2013 as Valedictorian. This is the highest honor for a high school student. Not only is Kaylyn a scholar, but she is a Model for Barbizon Modeling/Acting School. She was crowned Ms. Barbizon in 2011 and has traveled to Hollywood, California where she earned the title of National Cover Model for the National American Miss Pageant. She was also crowned 2010-2011 Debutante Queen for the Heroines of Jericho 11th District Debutante Ball.

Ms. Norwood has participated in the Lions Club of MS Girls Leadership Conference and the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Leadership Conference.

Ms. Norwood is currently attending the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS where she is majoring in Accounting.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Kaylyn Antoinette Norwood for her dedication to serving her community.