[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 34 (Friday, February 28, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E284]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ARCHIE TUCKER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 28, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable public servant, Mr. Archie Tucker.
  In 1974, while still in high school, Mr. Tucker was hired by former 
ARS Mid-South Director Ed King as a biological aide during a time when 
there were no minority administrators or scientists at the station. 
Since then, Mr. Tucker has followed a nearly four-decade career as one 
of the highest-ranking African-Americans in the ARS's Mid-South Area.
  After graduating from Leland High School, Mr. Tucker enrolled at 
Mississippi Valley State University while retaining his part-time job 
at the ARS's Stoneville station. He majored in business administration 
to gain administrative knowledge to go along with the research 
expertise he was learning each week.
  After graduating from the MVSU, Mr. Tucker was promoted to a full-
time biological lab technician in 1980.
  Seven years later, he again was promoted to area property manager and 
eight years later, he became the first African-American Area 
Administrative Officer in ARS history. Mr. Tucker noted that each 
promotion brought additional responsibilities.
  In 1997, Mr. Tucker became the Mid-South's Area's first African-
American Deputy Mid-South Area Director and in 2011, broke another 
barrier by assuming his current post as Mid-South Area Assistant 
Director.
  Mr. Tucker is charged with managing a $110 million annual budget and 
has overseen the renovation of the Jamie Whitten Center, the service's 
main facility in Stoneville, the principal headquarters of the Mid-
South area, which includes Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama and Louisiana. 
Here, Mr. Tucker oversees research stations employing more than 1,000 
workers in all. Mr. Tucker credits others, particularly former Director 
King, for his advancement.
  The Stoneville offices were recognized by the U.S. Secretary of 
Agriculture, Tom Vilsack, for their diversity. Mr. Tucker said the 
station now includes many African-American administrators and 
scientists.
  Mr. Tucker has made assisting future scientists, a priority, 
collaborating on research projects with several traditionally black 
schools, including Alcorn State, Tuskegee and Alabama A&M Universities.
  The Stoneville station also has been involved with local school 
districts, conducting tours for students and in 2012 launched the 
Future Scientists Program, a collaboration between the service and the 
Texas A&M University Extension Program, which has scientists visiting 
classrooms, judging science fairs and students touring the Stoneville 
facilities.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Archie 
Tucker for his dedication to serving others and giving back to the 
African-American community.

                          ____________________