[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 97 (Tuesday, July 9, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO WILLIE E. 
                             ROBINSON, JR.

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 9, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable, well-rounded, and highly driven young man, Mr. Willie E. 
Robinson, Jr. (affectionately known as J.R.)
  Born to Mr. and Mrs. Willie E. Robinson, Sr. and Vickie Robinson on 
February 3, 1988, J.R. was raised in the small, close-knit town of 
Bolton, Mississippi. As a child, he was an outstanding young man who 
was deeply involved in his community and church home. He regularly 
attended Hill of Zion Missionary Baptist Church and was active in 
Sunday school and various other auxiliaries.
  J.R. was not only a well-mannered young man, but also exceptionally 
bright. His academic ambitions were accomplished and exceeded during 
his matriculation at Clinton High School, where he graduated in May 
2006. He furthered his education at the University of Southern 
Mississippi (USM) in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, ultimately receiving his 
B.A. in Administration of Justice and a M.S. in Economic Development. 
During his time at USM, he was well known among his peers, faculty and 
administrators. He became Student Government Association President and 
also served as president of the Mississippi Student Government Board of 
President's Council. While serving on the council, he was instrumental 
in implementing a number of policies geared towards assisting the 
student body with their matriculation at USM, including reducing the 
cost of textbooks through a consorted effort with textbook 
manufacturers and USM campus officials.
  While obtaining his Master's degree, J.R. served as a graduate 
assistant for the Trent Lott National Center for Excellence in Economic 
Development and Entrepreneurship. His commitment to the USM campus 
earned him induction into the Centennial Student Hall of Fame.
  In addition to his valuable contributions to USM, J.R.'s passion for 
helping others reaches far into the surrounding Hattiesburg community. 
He serves as Guide Right Director, which allows him to mentor over 20 
young men. Many in the area attribute the economic growth of the area 
to J.R. because of his skillfulness in helping to coordinate the 
placement of a General Dynamics facility, which brought 250 jobs to the 
community. He also was instrumental in negotiations for fiscal 
expansion of an existing company in Hattiesburg, leading to the 
retention of 120 jobs and the addition to 10 within that company. As a 
result of his hard work and dedication, he was named ``2012 Up and 
Coming Black Professional'' in the Greater Hattiesburg area.
  Currently, J.R. serves on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi 
Young Professionals, to which he was appointed by Governor Phil Bryant. 
He is also employed as the Business Development Director with Area 
Development Partnership in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He is an active 
member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and continues to dedicate 
time to help those in need in his growing community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Willie E. 
Robinson, Jr. for his remarkable contributions as a young adult to the 
Greater Hattiesburg area.

                          ____________________