[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 65 (Wednesday, May 9, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E740]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING MRS. SHIRLEY W. SIMMONS FOR HER COMMITMENT TO LITERACY

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 9, 2012

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable public servant, Mrs. Shirley W. Simmons. Mrs. Simmons is a 
lifelong resident of Jackson, Mississippi and a graduate of Brinkley 
High School and Jackson State University. After college, Mrs. Simmons 
worked in early childhood education for a number of years. She then 
took time off from education to focus on raising her children. During 
those years, she took an active interest in the Parent Teachers 
Association, PTA, and volunteered with school fundraisers and local 
Girl Scout troops.
  In 1996, she was hired as a Circulation Assistant with the Jackson/
Hinds Library System-Medgar Evers Branch. While there, she was promoted 
to Professional Assistant and then to her current position of Branch 
Supervisor.
  As Branch Supervisor, Mrs. Simmons continuously seeks new ways to 
involve the community in programs and activities being held by the 
library and has planned and participated in many library activities. 
Some of these include library story times, Medgar Evers celebrations, 
Medgar Evers parades, the Books for Tots program, the Medgar Evers Book 
Club, and annual summer reading programs.
  Mrs. Simmons assists annually with the Jackson State University 
Alumni Association fundraising initiatives and participates in breast 
cancer awareness activities. She is also a Silver Life member of the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP. Mrs. 
Simmons is a devoted wife and mother and grandmother of three children 
and one grandchild.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and our colleagues to join me in recognizing 
Mrs. Shirley W. Simmons for her commitment to the community and others.

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