[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 96 (Monday, July 8, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1015-E1016]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING MS. BRENDA LASHAY TURNER-BUCK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, July 8, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. 
Brenda Lashay Turner-Buck, a remarkable worker, who is changing her 
community.
  Brenda Lashay Turner-Buck was born September 30, 1966 to Rev. and 
Mrs. Percy Turner. She is the second of three children. Brenda does 
have an older brother, Vincent, and a younger sister, Tammie. Brenda 
learned the importance of independence since she was a middle child.
  Brenda graduated from Jefferson High School as Salutatorian of her 
class in 1984. She enrolled at Alcorn State University in Agriculture 
Economics and received her B.S. in 1987, followed by her Master's in 
1992.
  Throughout Brenda's entire life, she has truly lived and breathed the 
importance of ``community.'' Being a ``Preacher's Kid,'' it was hard 
not to be surrounded by people with so many needs and the opportunity 
to gain extended family. During high school she took on the role of 
President of the FFA and helped to coordinate many outreach projects. 
College was not different because it was an opportunity to spread her 
wings and learn more to bring back to the community.
  For over a span of 18 years, Brenda worked at Alcorn State University 
in different capacities. She started as a recruiter for the university 
in 1988 and served as Director of the Center for Rural Life and 
Economic Development until 2006. She feels that God led her to her alma 
mater to serve as a beacon of light for many young people and families. 
During her tenure at the university, she was able to recruit hundreds 
of students and become one of the founders of AG-HOPE (Agriculture--
Helps Our People Earn). The program allowed over 275 young people from 
rural America the opportunity to see the other side of Agriculture, 
Food Science, and Technology.
  Today, many of them are outstanding employees of Fortune 500 
companies and the USDA. In 2000, the late President Clinton Bristow, 
Jr., made an administrative appointment and named Ms. Buck as Director 
of the Center for Rural Life and Economic Development and Executive 
Director of Traceway Community Development Corporation. This 
appointment took her to another stepping stone in her career. Being a 
part of the Institutional Advancement, Planning and Research under the 
leadership of Dr. Franklin Jackson, Brenda was part of writing over 3 
million dollars in grants for outreach in Southwest Mississippi. Many 
of the dollars provided better living conditions for families and 
spurred economic growth through small business development.
  For years, Brenda prayed that God would show her true calling and 
purpose. Little did she know that she was already living it every day 
by making a difference in the lives of those that were less fortunate.

[[Page E1016]]

  After six years of traveling through Southwest Mississippi, Brenda 
saw the need to return to her home and roll up her sleeves. October 2, 
2006, Brenda returned to Jefferson County as Administrator. The six 
year journey has been a goal of hers to bring opportunities to the 
communities. Being a part of over 4 million dollars in funded grants, 
the community now has a new walking track, funds for a new library, and 
many other community services. Modest in her doing, Brenda always 
believes that it was God who placed her to serve the public and she's 
going to do just that.
  Brenda didn't stop in Jefferson County. In October 2012, she was 
selected as the County Administrator of Claiborne County, Mississippi. 
She has always considered it as a second home.
  Brenda is the mother of four wonderful children--Vincent Delon, 
Brittany, Brandy, and Tyrese.
  She is a dedicated member of the Greenleaf Baptist Church, where she 
serves in the choir and as president of the Youth Department. She 
believes in the order of God first, then family and third, her career. 
Brenda is a team player and encourages everyone around her to reach 
their greatest given potential because they are unique creations of 
God. At the end of the day, it's not about the title she wears, but the 
ability to know that someone in the community is living just a little 
bit better because of her efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Brenda 
Lashay Turner-Buck for her dedication and determination to take on the 
challenges of her community.

                          ____________________