[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 96 (Thursday, June 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MRS. MARILYN D. ADAMS-COX

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 16, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable history maker, Mrs. Marilyn D. Adams-Cox, a resident of 
Cleveland, Mississippi.
  Mrs. Adams-Cox is the daughter of Ms. Minnie Adams-Moore, and her 
paternal grandparents are the late Jack and Savannah Carlize, Sr. Mrs. 
Adams-Cox was born into a history making lineage. Her paternal 
grandparents had no problem being the first African Americans in the 
City of Cleveland, Mississippi to become prosperous entrepreneurs with 
numerous businesses, and her paternal grandmother being one of the 
first Bolivar County Head Start teachers.
  Mrs. Adams-Cox saw the work ethic in her mother and parental 
grandparents and knowing that they did not allow anything to stop them 
from pursuing their life objectives as they demonstrated to family 
members that all things are possible if you believe in God.
  She was fortunate to attend school in the Cleveland School District 
where Mrs. Minnie Evans and Mr. Nathan Tharp, who were teachers at B.L. 
Bell Elementary, had a profound impression on her when they taught on 
the importance and power of voting. When she attended Eastwood Junior 
High, the principal, Mr. Walter Robinson, instilled in her the 
importance of getting an education by constantly enforcing his motto: 
``You can always learn something.'' Upon entering East Side High School 
she was met with a powerful government class educator, Mr. Ned Tolliver 
who stresses the importance of knowing how government works and how 
one's vote has influence. During her senior year of high school she 
registered to vote and has casted her vote in every election. After 
high school she attended Alcorn State University and met others who had 
a positive influence in her life.
  Due to the strong motivators in her life, her goal early in her youth 
was to be an asset in society. In 1993 she was blessed with a position 
with the City of Cleveland, and after three years of employment became 
the first African American Manager/Director of the Water Department 
which serves over 6,000 water customers. The City of Cleveland was 
chartered in 1886 and after 110 years in existence she made history and 
carried on her family lineage.
  Furthermore, she is always willing to do the unthinkable to ensure 
that each and every life she touched would be touched in a positive 
way. Mrs. Cox is active in civic and social organizations and has 
received numerous awards.
  Mrs. Adams-Cox is married to Michael Cox and they have one daughter, 
Elisha, in whom she has instilled the importance of getting an 
education and making sure she understands the power and influence 
within her vote.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. 
Marilyn Adams-Cox, an amazing history maker in serving others.

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