[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING PASTOR RODERICK MITCHELL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 1997

  Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pastor Roderick 
Mitchell, one of my constituents who has had an invaluable role in the 
lives of many families in the Mississippi Delta.
  Pastor Mitchell grew up in a troubled household and was forced to 
spend much of his childhood protecting his mother and younger siblings 
from his abusive father. He never forgot those mornings he passed 
crouching, hiding miserably in the cotton fields surrounding his home.
  Pastor Mitchell now divides his time between his ministry in 
Cleveland, MS and his many initiatives to speak out against spousal 
violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. In 1995 he established a 
desperately needed rape crises program in his church that has evolved 
into a community-based organization, the Exodus Center for Life, which 
provides services to all victims of crime. Pastor Mitchell is perhaps 
best known for his educational programs that use puppets to teach 
children in Headstart programs about child abuse and also give 
information about date rape and domestic violence to youths in school. 
He has implemented a violence prevention program for teenagers called 
Preparing our Sons for Manhood, and he also serves as a counselor in 
Men Against Spousal Harm [MASH], a treatment program for batterers in 
the Mississippi Delta.
  One of Pastor Mitchell's colleagues summed up his efforts recently, 
saying, ``his experience as a victim of domestic violence and his deep 
belief in the power of education transcend cultural and denominational 
barriers, reaching all crime victims, young and old, as well as at-risk 
youth with inspirational messages that help to heal and prevent 
crime.''
  Mr. Speaker, Mississippi and this Nation owe a debt of gratitude to 
Pastor Mitchell. If we are ever to transcend the cycle of violence, 
hatred, and anger that plagues America, we will need to follow this 
shining example of selfless determination. I honor Pastor Mitchell, and 
I thank him for his work.

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