[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 3 (Tuesday, January 7, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E11]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING ROGERS BENJAMIN MORRIS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable farmer and hero, Mr. Rogers Benjamin Morris, Sr., who is a 
resident of Mound Bayou, MS.
  His father, Mr. Ajax Julius Morris, Sr., was a fortunate man. His 
parents afforded him the opportunity to attend Alcorn State College, 
currently known today as Alcorn State University, during a time when 
most African Americans received very little or, in many instances, no 
educational opportunities at all. Also, his wife, Rowena Bell Morris, 
attended Natchez College. In 1974, after rearing and formally educating 
all five of their children, Mrs. Morris returned to college at 
Mississippi Valley State University and graduated with a degree in 
education at the ``tender age of 68.''
  As staunch proponents of hard work and educational excellence, Mr. 
and Mrs. Morris worked unstintingly to ensure that their three sons and 
two daughters received the best education possible. Among those five 
children was Rogers Benjamin Morris, Sr., the youngest in the family. 
He was born on November 9, 1945, in the small, rural community of 
Winterville, MS, where he received his early education.
  In 1964, he graduated as salutatorian from O'Bannon High School, in 
Greenville, MS. In 1968, he graduated from Jackson State University 
with a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry. In 1972, 
Mr. Morris received a Master of Science Degree in Environmental Health 
from the University of Cincinnati and furthered his education toward a 
master's degree in Public Health from the University of Michigan in Ann 
Arbor.
  As a youngster growing up on a farm, he learned what it meant to work 
hard and persevere; these qualities helped direct his career back to 
the family farm more than 35 years ago. Realizing that farming involves 
a lot more than the growing of crops, he taught his own sons farm work 
during the early stages of their lives, thereby providing them with 
experiences that cultivated and shaped their character, as well as 
careers.
  In the early 1900s his grandfather acquired over 100 acres of land in 
Washington County, MS--land that has remained in the family for over a 
century. Presently, as a third generation farmer, he farms this land, 
in addition to over 600 other acres of crops in the region. As the 
owner of Morris Farms, he produces corn, rice, soybeans and wheat. He 
manages some timber and raises sweet potatoes.
  Mr. Morris is a member of the Mound Bayou First Baptist Church where 
he serves as a deacon and chairman of the Board of Trustees, and a 
member of the sanctuary choir. He is also a member of the Shelby-
Bolivar County Credit Union and a past member of the Mound Bayou School 
District Board of Trustees. As a member of the Bolivar County Farm 
Bureau and Delta Council of Mississippi, he has an opportunity to 
communicate the needs of farmers to all political and apiculture 
leaders. He is the assistant secretary of the National Black Growers 
Council, an organization that defines its mission as, ``We simply love 
farming''.
  Mr. Morris states that ``We smile knowing the food and fiber we 
produce feed and clothe the world. We farm on lands handed down from 
generation to generation. We constantly integrate technology . . . . 
The organization confers with industry leaders to strengthen their 
mission of improving the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability 
of Black row crop farmers.''
  One of Mr. Morris' greatest concerns is the lack of job opportunities 
for young people in the community. Sweet potato farming allows him to 
employ a limited number of persons in planting and harvesting.
  In June of 2007 a reporter, Carol Guzy, shadowed Mr. Morris for a day 
on the farm and he was featured in an article in the Washington Post 
newspaper which detailed the plight of small Black farmers. On July 12-
14, 2012, he was selected to present on the African American Farmers' 
Panel at the Urban-Ag Academy conference in Des Moines, IA.
  Mr. Morris has been married to Mrs. DeVoyce Morris for 44 years and 
they are the proud parents of four adult sons, Rogers Benjamin Morris, 
Jr., Jeremy Kyle, Justin and Bertrand. They are gracious grandparents 
of three granddaughters, Jordan, Sydnee and Nia Marie and one grandson, 
Kyle Rogers.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an amazing 
farmer, Mr. Roger Morris for his dedication in agriculture.

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