Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 207, renaming the post office in Amory, Mississippi, for Command Sergeant Major Lawrence E. ``Rabbit'' Kennedy. Rabbit is an American hero, and I am proud to sponsor this legislation in his honor.

Rabbit enlisted in the United States Army in October of 1940. To do so, he walked for 2 days from his hometown of Smithville to Tupelo. Rabbit served in World War II, the Korean war, and the Vietnam war over the course of 35 years in the United States Army. There were not a lot of three-war veterans in our lifetimes, and he was a true hero. I am proud to have known him personally.

Rabbit's accounts of World War II battles are features of the 2014 book ``Last Eyewitnesses, World War II Memories: D-Day to 70th Anniversary.'' He fought in the Battle of the Bulge where he spent 9 days in a foxhole next to a dead German soldier.

Command Sergeant Major Kennedy led the Army's 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam, and a photo of his leading his men into combat was featured on the cover of Life Magazine.

During his career in the United States Army, Rabbit Kennedy earned four Legions of Merit, four Bronze Stars, participated in 506 airborne jumps, and retired as one of the most decorated soldiers in the history of the United States Army.

In 2017, Rabbit Kennedy was commended by the Mississippi legislature in House Concurrent Resolution 51. He was also the first enlisted man inducted into the Hall of Fame at the United States Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

Rabbit Kennedy continued to serve local veterans throughout his life, which is where I met him. He never quit helping veterans, even after he got out after his 35 years of military service.

Rabbit Kennedy is regarded as a community leader and a true American hero. On July 20, 2017, he went to be with the Lord and will always be locally remembered as a patriot and a member of the Greatest Generation.

It is a true and lasting honor to remember the service of Rabbit Kennedy. I just have to say again, he was an amazing man who served this country in three wars, but he always had time for everyone, and he always had time for a veteran in need and was always helping.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Maloney and Ranking Member Comer for bringing these very important bills to honor our heroes in America. I think it is important that we honor and remember those who served this Nation, especially those who gave their lives.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 209, renaming the post office in Pontotoc, Mississippi, for Lance Corporal Marc Lucas Tucker.

At age 23, Marc Lucas Tucker joined the Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq with the 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force.

His mother, Mrs. Donna Bagwell, recalls her son wanting to be a marine from a very young age, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, who also served in the Marine Corps.

He was a 1999 graduate of South Pontotoc Attendance Center, where he was known for his patriotism and sense of adventure. He was a baseball player, an avid hunter, and a fisherman.

On June 8, 2005, Lance Corporal Tucker was killed in a vehicle accident while stationed in Okinawa, Japan.

During his funeral, he was awarded the Navy Cross and the Mississippi Medal of Valor by Marine Major John Harding. He has also been awarded the Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and Sea Service Medal.

The Pontotoc community continues to mourn the loss of this young man who dedicated his life to the service of his country. Today I aim to honor his family and countless others who have lost their loved ones in service for our Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the service of Major General Billy Nabors whom I have had the pleasure of serving with in the Mississippi National Guard. He is celebrating his retirement after 27 years of service and I wish him all the best in this exciting new chapter in life.

Major General Nabors was commissioned through Officer Training School and graduated Undergraduate Pilot Training at Columbus Air Force Base in 1985. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Millsaps College in Jackson. He served eight years active duty as a T-37 instructor, Air Training Command, and KD-135C/R aircraft commander, Strategic Air Command. As of his retirement, he has served as the Assistant Adjutant General and Commander, Mississippi Air National Guard. He is responsible to the Adjutant General for directing Air National Guard operations and establishing policy to ensure the combat readiness and mission capability of the 186th Air Refueling Wing, 172d Airlift Wing and Combat Readiness Training Center. Major General Nabors is a combat veteran of Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Kosovo and Enduring/Iraqi Freedom. Prior to his current role, General Nabors was the Chief of Staff, Mississippi Air National Guard.

Major General Nabors has served on a wise variety of assignments and received numerous awards over the course of his career including the Legion of Merit Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Mississippi War Medal with bronze star, just to name a few.

I am grateful for Major General Nabors's lifetime of service to the state of Mississippi and this nation. I join him, his family and loved ones in celebrating his retirement and wish him well.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the retirement of Lieutenant Colonel Glenn Adams after 32 years of service to the United States and the State of Mississippi. I thank him for his dedication and wish him well in this new chapter.

Over the course of his career, Lieutenant Colonel Adams has served in every leadership role within the Commissioned Officer Ranks, from a Bradley Track Commander to the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team Executive Officer. He enlisted into the Mississippi Army National Guard on March 25, 1989 in Det 1, Headquarters Company, 1-198th Armor, Fulton, MS. LTC Adams served as an NCO until March 1992 and was commissioned as a 2LT in August 1992 as an Armor Officer. He received his baccalaureate degree in history from the Mississippi University for Women in 1995. He then served as the executive officer and then Commander for Co C, 1st BN, 198th Armor Regiment from October 2000 to September 2003. He was hired into the Active Guard Reserve program on March 15, 2006.

LTC Adams was deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 to 2005 and 2009 to 2010. During the 2009 deployment I had the honor of serving alongside LTC Adams. LTC Adams served as my Operations Officer and was always a consummate professional that embodies the qualities expected of our commissioned officer corps. Accordingly, he was awarded the Bronze Star for his contributions. After returning from deployment, he served at the Mississippi National Guard Joint Force Headquarters from September 2012 until September 2017. LTC Adams mobilized again from June 2018 to March 2019 in support of Operation lnherent Resolve. When he returned, he served as the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team Executive Officer and the full-time Administrative Officer.

Glenn also served his community and state outside of the Armed Services. For nearly three decades, he officiated football at the high school and collegiate level. Most recently, he officiated with the Mississippi Community College, Gulf South, and Great American Conferences.

LTC Adams celebrates one of the most storied careers in the Mississippi National Guard, and I am grateful for his 32 years of service to our state and this Nation. I have the upmost respect and admiration for Glenn and am happy to call him a friend and brother in arms.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Grady Wigginton, as he passed away on February 12, 2013.

Mr. Wigginton was born just west of Guntown, MS on June 30, 1937. Mr. Wigginton was proud to grow up in rural Mississippi where he was able to learn about the nature and creatures of God's creation. After graduating from High school Mr. Wigginton decided to join the USMC. In his time serving the country he achieved the great accomplishment of being promoted to the rank of Sergeant (E-4) in just twenty-two months. He believed in God first, Country second, and family third. We thank him for his commitment to service.

After Mr. Wigginton's service to his country he worked for CPI. At CPI he went on to become both a district and regional manager. He enjoyed hiring and working with new employees as he saw it was his responsibility to motivate them to do their jobs to the best of their ability. Due to his commitment to a hard-working staff both his district and regional teams won multiple awards for sales and profit.

Mr. Wigginton will be greatly missed, and we thank him for his service to his country and community.

Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the service of Fulton Police Chief Mitch Nabors. Chief Nabors has been serving the great state of Mississippi for the last 30 years. He has served the force since shortly after his 22nd birthday, and announced his retirement this year.

Chief Nabors is a well renowned leader within the department. His colleagues speak to his loyalty and commitment to those with which he served. The city of Fulton is a better and safer place because of him.

I congratulate Chief Nabors on a successful career in public service, and thank him for his lifetime commitment to the community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mike Hainsey on his retirement from the Golden Triangle Regional Airport. He has greatly served as the executive director for the last 19 years. Under his command, many great projects took place to help better the airport operations.

I have witnessed personally the great expansions he has made in growing this business. In his time, he oversaw 30 million dollars' worth of total expansion. In the 30 million worth of expansion projects the highlights were runway expansion to help Air Force, growth of two terminals, and an increase in passenger traffic which led to adding more parking. These are all viewed as important projects to help better the overall functionality of the airport.

Lastly, I want to thank Mr. Hainsey again for his hard work for the first district of Mississippi. The community and I are very grateful for what he has done. We are excited to welcome Matt Dowell as the new executive director, and we know he had a great teacher to learn from in Mr. Hainsey.

Madam Speaker, l rise today to celebrate the life and service of Major General Gary Wayne Johnston who passed away on January 20, 2022. My deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this time of mourning.

Gary Johnston was born on October 21, 1964 in Russellville, Arkansas. He served in the U.S. Army for over 34 years. He served overseas in Germany, the first Gulf War and Afghanistan and commanded the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Additionally, he was a director of intelligence of the United States Special Operations Command and the deputy chief of staff for intelligence for Resolute Support Mission. After retiring from the Army in 2021, Gory joined Touchstone Futures as the executive Vice President for Intelligence, Security, and Risk. He served on the advisory board for Leyden Solutions.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Brigadier General Amy Johnston; his mother, Bonnie; children, Lauren, Blake, and Parker.

The Johnston family and all those who had the opportunity to know and serve with him are in my thoughts and prayers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and service of Ronald Curtis Knight who passed away on Monday, February 21, 2022 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. I join his family, friends, and loved ones in mourning his loss.

Curtis was born December 9, 1953 in Amory to Hubert Caroll Knight and Emma Mill er Langford. He briefly lived in Texas before returning to Amory. He attended Amory High School and joined the Army, where he served for 6 years. He worked on a riverboat on the Mississippi River for 15 years and was also employed by True Temper Sports. In 1994, he began his 28 year career in law enforcement. He began his career with the Aberdeen Police Department then joined the Monroe County Sheriffs department. He served as a jailer, patrol, chief investigator, and retired as Chief Deputy. He served as Sheriff of Monroe County from June to December 2021.

Outside of his law enforcement career, Curtis was a Master mason in the J.A. Mayfield Lodge and he played golf, fished, and woodworked. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Amory.

Left to cherish his memory are wife, Tina; son, Josh; daughters Nikki and Tiffany; along with his brother, sister, and grandchildren.

I am grateful for Curtis' lifetime of service to the state of Mississippi. My deepest condolences are with his family at this time.

Madam Speaker, Colonel John C. Michaud has honorably served the United States Army for more than twenty-six years. He has served in numerous leadership roles within the officer corps from platoon leader to the Command Inspector General for the Mississippi National Guard. Colonel Michaud leaves a legacy defined by selfless service and sacrifice which will have a lasting impact on the U.S. Army.

Colonel Michaud received a commission as a Second Lieutenant after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point on June 3, 1995. Upon completion of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, He was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barrack, Hawaii where he served in numerous leadership roles, culminating in his serving as a battery commander.

In 2005, Colonel Michaud graduated from the Naval Postgraduate School with a degree in Operations Research and was subsequently assigned to the TRADOC Analysis Center in FT. Leavenworth, Kansas where he served in numerous roles as a strategic analyst. In 2007, Colonel Michaud was mobilized in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and assigned to Combined Joint Task Force 82 located in Bagram, Afghanistan.

Upon his return from Afghanistan, he continued his service as an analyst for major commands across the Department of Defense including the Defense Logistics Agency; United States Central Command; and United States Strategic Command.

In 2018, Colonel Michaud was assigned as the Command Inspector General for the Mississippi National Guard where he provided his assistance and expertise on complicated and critical matters affecting the Soldiers and Airmen of the Mississippi National Guard. Colonel Michaud will effectively retire on August 31, 2022, after having led an exemplary career.

I am grateful for Colonel Michaud's service to the state of Mississippi and this Nation.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and service of Major General Gary Wayne Johnston who passed away on January 20, 2022. My deepest condolences are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this time of mourning.

Gary Johnston was born on October 21, 1964 in Russellville, Arkansas. He served in the U.S. Army for over 34 years. He served overseas in Germany, the first Gulf War and Afghanistan and commanded the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Additionally, he was a director of intelligence of the United States Special Operations Command and the deputy chief of staff for intelligence for Resolute Support Mission. After retiring from the Army in 2021, Gary joined Touchstone Futures as the executive Vice President for Intelligence, Security, and Risk. He served on the advisory board for Leyden Solutions.

Left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife, Brigadier General Amy Johnston; his mother, Bonnie; and children, Lauren, Blake, and Parker.

The Johnston family, and all those who had the opportunity to know and serve with him, are in my thoughts and prayers.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and accomplishments of Grady Wigginton, as he passed away on January 31, 2022.

Mr. Wigginton was born just west of Guntown, MS on June 30, 1937. Mr. Wigginton was proud to grow up in rural Mississippi where he was able to learn about the nature and creatures of God's creation. After graduating from High school, Mr. Wigginton decided to join the USMC. In his time serving the country he achieved the great accomplishment of being promoted to the rank of Sergeant (E-4) in just twenty-two months. He believed in God first, Country second, and family third. We thank him for his commitment to service.

After Mr. Wigginton's service to his country, he worked for CPI. At CPI he went on to become both a district and regional manager. He enjoyed hiring and working with new employees as he saw it was his responsibility to motivate them to do their jobs to the best of their ability. Due to his commitment to a hard-working staff, both his district and regional teams won multiple awards for sales and profit.

Mr. Wigginton will be greatly missed, and we thank him for his service to his country and community.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Ricky Allen Peebles who passed away Tuesday, January 4 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. I join his family, friends, and loved ones in mourning his loss.

Born November 8, 1955 to Reverend Billy Allen Peebles and Earlene Edwards Peebles, Ricky grew up to earn his Bachelor's degree in Pastoral Ministry from Southern Assemblies of God in Waxahachie, Texas. He was a fan of Ole Miss Football and enjoyed traveling with family and friends. He served as the pastor of Canaan Assembly of God in Booneville and was also employed as the deputy jail administrator for the Prentiss County Sherriff's Department. He has served in a variety of churches and received many awards for his service to the sheriff's office.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 47 years, Sarah McNair Peebles; daughter, Erica and Rachel; brother, Mark; sisters, Martha and Mitze; and granddaughter Katie.

I am grateful for Ricky's life of service to the state of Mississippi and the kingdom of God. My deepest condolences are with his loved ones.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and service of Mr. Mike Doss who recently passed away after serving the great state of Mississippi as a member of the Pontotoc Police Department. Since 1999 Mr. Doss has been a great servant to the Police Force and community spending most of his time in the narcotics division of the department.

Mr. Doss hails from Houston, Mississippi. He is predeceased by; Arthuer Lee his father, and survived by Eva Criddle Doss his mother, Elizabeth Ann Walters Doss his wife, Jonathan Doss his son, and Leann Nabors his sister. He also had a grandson Conner Doss.

I am so thankful for Mr. Doss' years of service to the great state of Mississippi. I send my deepest condolences to the extended Doss family.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of Martha Ann Segars who passed on January 19. I join her family, friends, and loved ones in mourning his loss.

Born on September 16, 1931 to Due and Ruby Nabers Thompson in Red Bay, Alabama, she graduated from Red Bay High School in 1949 and enrolled at the University of Alabama. She proved to be a talented seamstress in her fashion design classes, though she was a dietetics major. In 1952, she married Kelly Segars, her high school sweetheart. In 1953 she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Institutional Management and accepted an internship at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. Her husband was soon called to serve in the Korean War.

When her husband returned in 1955, she finished her internship and he worked as a pharmacist to prepare for Medical School. Their first son was born at Vanderbilt Hospital, and soon after Kelly was accepted into the University of Mississippi Medical School. Martha became a dietician at the VA medical center in Jackson. They soon settled in Iuka with their two sons and daughter. She continued to sew, work as a dietician, and manage the family farm.

Martha was dedicated to the Tishomingo County community and served in a variety of roles: she has served on the boards of the Yellow Creek Port Authority, Yellow Creek Watershed Authority, Tishomingo County Economic Development, Tishomingo County Tourism Council, and dozens more. She has also served as the President of the Iuka Chamber of Commerce and Chair of the Arts and Historical Committee. She spearheaded the `Trash and Treasures along the Tenn-Tom,' and served as a tour guide for the Eagle Watch Cruises and the Fall Foliage Cruises on Pickwick Lake.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Scott, Mark, and Leigh; grandchildren Tyler, Jackson, Thompson, Annie and James; nieces, nephews, and countless community members whose lives she impacted.

Martha Ann Segars was a selfless community leader and an outstanding Mississippian. My thoughts and condolences are with those who knew and loved her.