[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 27 (Friday, February 18, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E270-E271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING ZELPHA (ZEP) MONTGOMERY-WHATLEY THE BUILDER OF ``MISS 
                           BERNICE'S HOUSE''

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 17, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. 
Zelpha (Zep) Montgomery-Whatley, The Builder of ``Miss Bernice's 
House.'' The Northside Haven Association, Inc., and Miss Bernice's 
House exist today, primarily because of two women--two Black women of 
Holmes County, Mississippi. One had great spiritual wisdom, strength 
and

[[Page E271]]

focus; the other, unwavering faith and a strong belief in the power and 
purpose of God. Their names: Mrs. Bernice Patton Montgomery-Johnson 
(Miss Bernice) and her elder daughter, Zelpha la'Marr Montgomery-
Whatley, who is just called, Zep.
  Zep caught her mother's dream to build a house--a great house for 
people who are sick, homeless, in need of housing and gentle personal 
care. Zep gave up her life's work of public service where she lived 
``up North'' and having been accepted to the Peace Corps to work in 
West Africa.
  Instead and as God would have it, Zep packed up and moved back home 
to Holmes County, Mississippi, breaking a long standing vow never to 
return to Mississippi again! She moved back home, she thought, to help 
her mother, Miss Bernice, to fulfill a dream to build ``a house of 
help'' for poor senior citizens of Holmes County and Mississippi. Miss 
Bernice convinced her daughter that ``back home'' was her ``Peace 
Corps'' and her ``West Africa.'' Zep said, ``Yes,'' to her mother and 
has since proclaimed that this is the best, most challenging and 
rewarding work God has ever assigned to her hands. Her boldness for the 
``street work'' of God--``helping hurting people,'' is unmatched!
  To know Zep Montgomery--to really know her, is to know that she 
rarely considers the word, ``No'' as a final answer to any unsolved 
problem. She says her daddy taught her to ``just look for another 
way.'' She will push herself and she will push and pull others until 
``the way is found.'' This attitude is testimony to the mere existence 
of Miss Bernice's House--a Personal care/Assisted Living facility, 
Holmes County's first and only one. When she was told ``No,'' by her 
local and State governments, she turned to Washington, D.C., and her 
Congressman. It was understood that ``No'' was not an answer, nor was 
it an option. The Federal government responded with an $800,000 dollar, 
loan/grant package to build the house envisioned by her mother, who on 
the day of approval went home to be with the Lord!
  Additionally, Zep knew when the mailman had trouble delivering the 
mail on the wet, muddy road where she lived, she put on her rubber 
boots and went to see the Holmes County Board of Supervisors. They said 
it couldn't be done; the road couldn't be built and probably wouldn't 
be built during the next 20 years! Within 2 years a new paved road was 
built, including two new concrete bridges for approximately $500,000 
dollars! Again, when the current water system could not accommodate 
Miss Bernice's House and her community, Zep requested assistance from 
the local water authority and was told, ``No, it couldn't be done.'' 
Today, a $550,000 dollar new water system has been installed for her 
community and Miss Bernice's House as a direct result of Zep's faith, 
her tenacity and her hard work.
  Zelpha is a professional helper. She believes there is no greater 
reason for any human being to get up in the morning other than to help 
another human-being.
  Zep proclaims, ``I'm in business to help people.''

                          ____________________