[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 176 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1855]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MICHAEL LEE PLEZ

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay honor 
to Mr. Michael Lee Plez; a community advocate and unsung hero for the 
children on the west side of Tallahatchie County.
  Michael is a minister by trade, but a father of many, not just his 
own but all children. His passion and love to help children comes from 
his own childhood story. He was raised in a single parent home, where 
his mother was also his father. He joined the West Tallahatchie Mentor 
Male Involvement organization to encourage children at an early age by 
reading to them and participating in educational and fun activities. 
His colleagues and community members saw this passion in him and voted 
him as President of the Board for the Tallahatchie County Headstart 
Center. There was a lack of male involvement in the lives of children 
in the county, so, Michael reached out to the men and fathers and got 
their commitment and support on his efforts to increase male 
involvement. And, now the word on the street is that he has been 
successful in doing so because he led the charge as the model. Michael 
got the men to donate their time, skills and money to this worthy 
cause. Male presence began to increase in activities during school, 
after school and even on weekends.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an unsung 
hero for the children on the west side of Tallahatchie County, Mr. 
Michael Lee Plez.

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