[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E61]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING REV. ARTHUR
                               EVANS, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 14, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
hardworking and self motivated man, Rev. Arthur Evans, Sr.
  Mr. Arthur Evans, Sr., a lifelong resident of Crystal Springs, MS was 
born on December 26, 1940. He is the son of the late Mr. ``Jim'' Evans 
and the late Mrs. Mattie Pearl Evans.
  Mr. Evans originally started in the pulpwood hauling business in 1955 
trading in his personal car for a pulpwood truck. By 1966, he moved 
into the gravel business. The business was a huge success. However, 
being a successful black business owner in 1966 in Mississippi did not 
come without the horrible racial obstacles of that time.
  Mr. Evans was faced with unjust stipulations in contracts that would 
have never been included if he were white. His truck drivers were 
constantly harassed and even told ``they would continue to be pulled 
over unless they quit driving for this black man''.
  Despite the ridicule and malice aimed toward him and his business, 
Mr. Evans continued to press on as he would not be bullied by bigotry 
and racial hatred. During the apex of his successful trucking business, 
Mr. Evans had a fleet of up twenty trucks hauling each day. Now, 55 
years later, since the purchase of that pulpwood truck, Arthur Lee 
Evans Trucking is still going strong.
  The owner, as strong as ever, is now known as Rev. Arthur Evans, Sr., 
since being called into ministry in December, 2000.
  Rev. Evans has been married to Mrs. Johnnie Mae Evans for 54 years 
and is the proud father of 5 children, 15 grandchildren, and 4 great 
grandchildren.
  ``Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways 
you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all 
the people you can, as long as ever you can.'' by John Wesley, is the 
sentiments of the heart of Rev. Arthur Evans, Sr.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a dynamic 
and dedicated businessman, Rev. Arthur Evans, Sr.

                          ____________________