House Resolution 112

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING MRS. JESSIE B. WILLIAMS UPON BEING RECOGNIZED IN THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AS A GREAT PARENT.

WHEREAS, in the United States House of Representatives, Mississippi Congressman Bennie Thompson rose to honor a remarkable parent who is also a public servant, Mrs. Jessie B. Williams; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams, born on January 4, 1944, to Mr. and Mrs. L.A. Franklin in Greenville, Mississippi, has shown what can be done through hard work, setting goals and aiming high; and

WHEREAS, the oldest of ten children, she was married to the late Mr. Albert Joe Williams with whom she had four daughters: Sharon, Kyshea, Albetha and Jessica, and seven beautiful grandchildren, three girls and four boys; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams attended Coleman High School in Greenville, Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi, and Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, and she has been employed in the Shaw School District for 38 years, having taught every subject in the Social Science Department; and

WHEREAS, she has complemented her formal education with additional training, including: the Office of Innovative and School Improvement, File Management for Educators, the Praxis Series Validation and Standard Setting Professional Assessments for Beginning Teachers, Strategies and Tools for Improving Student Learning and Achievement, and Preps Subject Area Training; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams was appointed by Governor Ray Mabus to the Health and Human Services Board, served with the Washington County Election Commission, evaluated high schools for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, was a member of the Greenville Pride Committee and served on the Board for Project Weed and Seed, Greenville; and

WHEREAS, she also sings with the Soulful Temps Gospel Group, and some of her awards and accomplishments are unseen, yet time allowed Mrs. Williams to have been touched by a major transition in America, the change from segregation to integration; and

WHEREAS, during this transition, she became the first African-American teacher to integrate the public schools in the Mississippi Delta, and she was chosen Star Teacher and Teacher of the Year several times in her district; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Williams is New Mount Bethel Choir President, Church Announcer, has served as President of the Elegant Ebonetts Social and Civic Club, and worked with the Excellence Groups, where they worked with teachers and students trying to elevate proficiency in the classrooms; and

WHEREAS, she loves her students and has sponsored mock trials, mock elections, oratorical contests, pageants, choir, has aimed for all of the students to achieve academic excellence, and she has always encouraged them to remember that habits are like gravity, it always pulls them toward good outcomes, and good habits produce good conduct, long life and prosperity; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to acknowledge such special recognition as that bestowed upon Mrs. Jessie B. Williams by the United States House of Representatives, which brings great pride to all Mississippians:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby acknowledge Mrs. Jessie B. Williams upon being recognized in the United States House of Representatives as a great parent, and express sincere hope for continued success in all of her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Williams and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.