[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 127 (Monday, September 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1331-E1332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING ATTORNEY WILL ELLIS PITTMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Attorney Will Ellis Pittman.
  Attorney Pittman was born and raised in Tutwiler, MS. Mr. Pittman is 
51 years old. He is the owner and managing member of Pittman & 
Associates, PLLC law firm in Clarksdale, Mississippi where he also 
serves as the first African-American County Prosecutor for Coahoma 
County. Attorney Pittman also serves as the board attorney for the 
Tunica County Board of Supervisors and is the first African-American to 
represent the Tunica County Board of Supervisors. Attorney Pittman is 
recognized amongst family, his community, and his colleagues as a man 
of wisdom, service, a generous spirit, and passion. He regularly 
attends and serves on the finance committee of the Galena Missionary 
Baptist Church in Tutwiler, Mississippi which he grew up in and joined 
at eight years of age.
  Ellis attended and graduated from public high school in Tallahatchie 
County, Mississippi. After earning his high school diploma, he enlisted 
in the United States Marine Corps. While in the Marine Corps, Ellis 
married his high school sweetheart, and they had two (2) children. 
After being honorably discharged from the Marine Corps, Ellis returned 
to his home town in Tutwiler.
  However, he was unable to find employment anywhere in the delta area. 
Ellis returned to work and earned a living on the plantation in 
Tallahatchie County where he grew up. Ellis worked six (6) sometimes 
seven (7) days a week to provide food, shelter, and the bare 
necessities for his family. He always knew that if given the 
opportunity, he would provide them with a better way of life.
  After working one full year and saving every penny that he could, 
Ellis departed for Dallas, Texas where he obtained a job with a 
janitorial service, cleaning grocery stores at night. Within two months 
Ellis saved enough funds for a deposit and first months' rent on an 
apartment. He then returned to Mississippi to get his wife and child 
and they returned to Dallas, Texas. Within six months, the store at 
which Ellis was employed took notice of his hard work and daily 
attendance and the store manager offered him a job as an apprentice 
baker that provided health insurance, dental, and vision benefits for 
both him and his family. With this break, Ellis used the extra earnings 
to provide a better place for his family to stay. Within six months, 
Ellis had worked his way from an apprentice baker to a journeyman baker 
and was able to provide his family with the kind of things that he had 
always dreamed of having.
  Although he excelled in his employment, Ellis realized that in order 
to do more for his family he would have to obtain a college education. 
At the same time, Ellis desired to return home to be with his elderly 
father who became ill. So, he applied for and was hired with the 
Mississippi Department of Corrections as a correctional officer 
trainee.
  He then made plans to attend Mississippi Valley State University to 
obtain a college degree. Prior to applying to Mississippi Valley State 
University, the Pittman's home caught on fire in which Ellis received 
second and third degree burns over a large portion of his body. His 
wife received severe burns as well. After a month, she passed away from 
the injuries she sustained from the fire. Ellis remained in the 
Greenville Burn Center for a month and half before he was released. 
After a short period of time, he returned to his place of employment at 
the Mississippi State Penitentiary. The home that he had purchased for 
his family had burned down, so the Department of Corrections provided 
him with a house on the grounds for him and his two minor sons to live.
  At this point, he made the decision not to attend Mississippi Valley 
State University due to the drive because he would have to commute. 
Being a single parent and still having to work, Ellis applied to Delta 
State University which was closer to where he was living at the 
penitentiary and he could make the daily commute. He commuted five days 
a week for three years until he graduated from Delta State University 
with a degree in criminal justice and political science.
  Prior to graduation from Delta State University, Ellis applied to law 
school at Mississippi College, Thurgood Marshall School of Law, and the 
University of Mississippi School Of Law. He was accepted for admission 
at all three law schools. However, he chose to attend the University of 
Mississippi--School of Law due to the financial aid available for 
African-American applicants. After obtaining his law degree and license 
to practice law, Ellis returned to the Mississippi Delta from Memphis, 
Tennessee and opened Pittman Law Office in Clarksdale, Mississippi in 
1996 where he continues to practice to this day.
  Ellis has given countless young lawyers, that have recently graduated 
with no experience and unable to find a job, a position at his law 
office to give them a start. He realized that most people will do well 
if given the chance which he learned from personal experience when he 
needed someone to give him a chance. There has not been a time when a 
newly admitted lawyer came to Ellis looking for job and was turned down 
for employment.
  Ellis' practice has included representing countless individuals in 
cases for excessive force, employment discrimination, criminal defense, 
family law, as well as personal injury and wrongful death.
  Attorney Will Ellis Pittman's work ethic, passion, dedication, 
dependability, and service have made him synonymous with being one of 
the best, if not the best, attorney around. At the end of the day, 
Ellis is recognized for his service to God, his family, his country, 
his community, and the people that seek his help.

[[Page E1332]]

  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Attorney 
Will Ellis Pittman for his dedication to serving this great state and 
country.

                          ____________________