[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 54 (Tuesday, March 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E405]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





             HONORING MS. GERLINE ``PANKY GARVIN'' MUHAMMAD

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Black 
historical figures in the Second Congressional District of Mississippi. 
So today, I give honor to Ms. Gerline ``Panky Garvin'' Muhammad of the 
Blue Cane Community outside of Charleston, Mississippi located in 
Tallahatchie County, Mississippi.
  Ms. Muhammad was born November 9, 1953. She is the mother of six 
children, 13 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She attended Allen 
Carver High School in Charleston and is a graduate of Amhurst Career 
Center, where she was honored with many awards and recognitions.
  Ms. Muhammad is a well-known champion of equal and civil rights. She 
was a member of the Tallahatchie County Redistricting Committee 
allowing for the first African American to be elected to the 
Tallahatchie County Board of Supervisors. Ms. Muhammad is the executive 
director of the Tallahatchie County Citizens of Change. The 
organization is established to stimulate and motivate change in 
thinking and behavior within African Americans in communities of 
Tallahatchie County. Their work is carried out through an 
intergenerational model approach that works on improving political 
awareness, community organizing, assisting veterans, legal redress, 
civic participation and more. Ms. Muhammad is also a member of the 
Tallahatchie County Branch of the NAACP where she served as the first 
vice-president, chairman of the education committee, and now as the 
chairman of the membership committee.
  Ms. Muhammad has been involved in many long-term community 
commitments in the county. She teaches at the summer tutoring program, 
hosts back to school rallies, organizes door to door community events, 
and helps veterans pursue their veteran benefits. She started the P16 
Council for the East Tallahatchie School District and is a member of 
the Dropout Prevention Committee for the school district. To encourage 
reading among African Americans, she started a book club in the 
Brooksville community. She works with young entrepreneurs in the 
community to help improve the future presence of African American 
business in Black communities.
  Ms. Muhammad is a former member of the Jerusalem M.B. Church in 
Paynes, MS where she was the church secretary, Jr. Sunday School 
teacher, chairman of vocational bible school and church programs 
committee, and treasurer for the choir. In 1992, Ms. Muhammad joined 
the Nation of Islam under the local leadership of Minister James 
Muhammad and national leader, the most honorable Minister Louis 
Farrakhan. She served as the LT Captain of the Meetings, and received 
LT Captain of the year at mosque Number 78 Tupelo, MS. Now she is the 
Chairman of 10,000 Fearless, which is a justice movement in 
Tallahatchie County. As you can see Ms. Muhammad has been active in and 
around Tallahatchie County working fearlessly and consistently for 46 
years to foster change and equality.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Ms. Gerline 
``Panky Garvin'' Muhammad of the Mississippi Second Congressional 
District.