[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 32 (Thursday, February 27, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO LANDRES CHEEKS

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 27, 2003

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, in commemoration of Black 
History Month, I Would like to take this opportunity to recognize the 
many accomplishments of distinguished African-Americans in 
Mississippi's Second Congressional District.
  Retired 1st Sergeant Landres Cheeks graduated from Madison County 
Training School in 1940. He received his Clerk Typist Certificate in 
1946 and his NCO Certificate in 1947, from the United States Army NCO 
Academy.
  Ret. 1st Sergeant Cheeks was a 1st Sergeant for 23 of the 30 years in 
the U. S. Army. He was a personnel sergeant major, medical Intelligence 
non-commissioned officer, postal clerk during WWII, facilitated driving 
testing station for non-commissioned officers, served one tour of duty 
in Vietnam, served four tours of duty in Germany, and served one tour 
in France. Cheeks was the first black staff non-commissioned officer of 
the 69th artillery division in Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was the first 
black 1st Sergeant of the 33rd station hospital in Bremen haven, 
Germany and the first black 1st Sergeant of the 54th truck company in 
Hanau, Germany. Cheeks assisted soldiers in absentee ballot voting from 
1951-1974.
  During 1974-1992 Sergeant Cheeks was owner of Wynn & Cheeks Grocery 
Store where he managed accounts payable, accounts receivable, ordered 
stock, supervised daily operation of the business. Cheeks also 
registered people to vote in the grocery store.
  Retired 1st Sergeant Landres Cheeks was the first black appointed 
layman to become a Member of the Board of Trustee of Madison General 
Hospital in Canton, Mississippi during 1985-1988. He also was Chairman 
of the board of the Madison County Voters League which would organize 
campaign fundraisers, voter registration, absentee ballot, and provide 
transportation to polls during 1988-1998.
  At the present time, Cheeks juggles being Commander of the Boy Scout 
and Cub Scout of America, fundraiser for Madison County Women for 
Progress, and Utility Commissioner, City of Canton.

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