[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 138 (Thursday, November 13, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING UNDER SHERIFF DERRICK CUBIT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable enforcement officer and community servant, Under Sheriff 
Derrick Cubit.
  Derrick Cubit was born on a warm, sunny day of September 1, 1970 in 
Jackson, MS. As a youngster, he lived in Hazlehurst, Mississippi with 
his mother, Bobbie, his brother, Travis, and his late grandmother, 
Sarah.
  Derrick Cubit started school when he was six-years-old. He went to 
kindergarten through fifth grades at Hazlehurst Elementary, attended 
Hazlehurst Middle School, and graduated from Hazlehurst High School in 
1988. He continued his education by attending Hinds Community College 
and Jackson State University where he majored in Criminal Justice.
  ``Life has been a means of friends and family who you can trust and 
who trusts you,'' says Mr. Cubit. He is pretty happy with what life 
brings and is accustomed to being around primarily adults, those who he 
received wisdom from. He met lots of people who invested and took time 
with him, and helped him to excel at most of his many and various 
hobbies. He did well in school because of this and fortunately, self-
awareness was something that was learned later on in his years.
  Under Sheriff Cubit is a member of the Phi Beta Fraternity and of the 
Golden Square Lodge #88. There was always an interest in being a public 
servant, and he finally got an opportunity to work for the Copiah 
County Sheriff Department in October of 1997. He gives all thanks to 
the late Chief Deputy Joe L. Young, who gave him the opportunity to 
become a Deputy Sheriff with the Copiah County Sheriff Department. The 
trend was set by just meeting his potential, and taking on new 
challenges when someone brought it to his attention that he'd be 
perfect for the opportunity to work through the ranks at the Sheriff 
Department. He started out being a Deputy Sheriff, later was promoted 
to Juvenile Officer, after that he was promoted to Captain of Patrol, 
and now he serves as the Under Sheriff for the Copiah County Sheriff 
Department.
  Under Sheriff Cubit always assumed he'd never get married because he 
was a hard worker and thought that if he was tied down by the 
constraints of a wife and kids his work might hinder family growth. But 
then, he met the beautiful Ms. Semekia Jones in 1994 and they agreed to 
marry in 2001. He had one son before this union and now his new family 
role suits him as being a father and husband. He's driven to spur his 
son on to even greater accomplishments.
  Despite a lifetime of challenges and accomplishments Under Sheriff 
Cubit has held on to a quote by James Baldwin: ``The world is before 
you, and you need not take it or leave it as it was when you came in.'' 
His goal is to achieve what James Baldwin speaks about. Although he 
would question, ``How?'' he believes that the moment his son entered 
this world, he then knew that he had achieved it.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Under 
Sheriff Derrick Cubit for his dedication to serving our great Country 
and his community.

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