[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 20 (Wednesday, February 3, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E106]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. JACK REED, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 3, 2016

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life 
of one of Mississippi's most dedicated citizens, Mr. Jack Reed, Sr. 
Albert Einstein said, ``What is right is not always popular and what is 
popular is not always right.'' This quote comes to mind when I reflect 
on the phenomenal life's work of Jack Reed. Even if it was not popular 
at the time, he always strived to support policies that he believed 
would improve the state. A dynamic figure, he was a successful business 
leader and devoted himself to economic development and community 
service.
   After serving in World War II and graduating from Vanderbilt 
University and New York University, Mr. Reed returned home to Tupelo to 
work for the family business, Reed's retail store. In this role, he 
grew the family legacy and successfully expanded the business to other 
regions in the state. As the first Chairman of the State Board of 
Education, he was instrumental in education reform and was an advocate 
and powerful voice for desegregation in the South. His accomplishments 
and leadership roles are both impressive and far-reaching. He chaired 
the Yocona Area Council of Boy Scouts of America and was a founder and 
long-serving Board of Directors member of LIFT, Mississippi's first 
community action agency. He served as president and was a member of the 
Executive Committee of both the Community Development Foundation and 
CREATE, Inc. His reach and influence in community projects and 
initiatives was truly remarkable and these only serve as a few examples 
of his exemplary commitment to making Mississippi a better place to 
live and raise a family.
   Most importantly, Mr. Reed was a man of family and faith. In 1950, 
he married Frances Camille Purvis and together they have four children, 
twelve grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. He was a staple at 
First United Methodist Church where he also taught an adult Sunday 
school class. It is often stated that Jack Reed was ``the best governor 
Mississippi never had.'' His legacy is one of service and dedication to 
leave Mississippi a better place than he found it. Without a doubt, he 
accomplished that goal. My thoughts and prayers continue to be with Mr. 
Reed's family and friends.

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