[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 57 (Monday, April 3, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E424-E425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ORELIA GAIL SIAS

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable professional lady, Ms. Orelia Gail Sias of Cleveland, 
Mississippi.
  Orelia was born to the late Roosevelt and Pauline Sias of 
Mayersville, Mississippi. She is a graduate of Delta State University 
and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration.
  Ms. Sias' parents were farmers and owned over 400 acres of land. She 
realized at an early age that she could accomplish anything she set her 
heart to do, coming from a household where her parents were the prime 
example of that philosophy. Therefore, she embarked on her life journey 
by furthering her education and securing stable employment 
opportunities with Cleveland State Bank in August of 1986 as a 
switchboard operator, but knew that her desire was to move up in the 
financial institute. While in her 30 years with Cleveland State Bank, 
she moved up in the ranks to her current position as a Customer 
Representative in the Electronic Banking Division, where she handled 
customer fraud issues. In 2008, she began a part-time career with 
Walgreen's as a Pharmacy Technician and became a National Board 
Certified Pharmacy Technician.
  Ms. Sias is very active with numerous community and civic 
organizations and has received numerous accolades and awards for her 
dedication to the community. She is politically involved and 
participated in the 2012 National Democratic Convention held in 
Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2013, she participated in President 
Barack Obama's inauguration ceremony in Washington, D.C., and while 
there she visited the Dr. Martin Luther Museum, his statue and other 
sites. Although she has influence in the community and through her 
professional careers, Orelia considers her greatest achievement is to 
honor the legacy which her parents instilled in her through their 
teachings: ``To have respect and dignity for everyone your life paths 
allows you to and that will be returned to you''. Family is of the 
upmost importance to Ms. Sias and she enhances others' lives by being 
an example and she offers mentorship to the younger generations.
  Ms. Sias lives her life in servitude to others. She opens her home to 
those needing a place to stay and loan her vehicle to those who may be 
in need of transportation. She is someone who is admired and loved by 
her co-workers, community leaders, and her community for her 
professional style, her frankness of speech and how she carries 
herself.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Orelia 
Sias for being an outstanding professional lady in the Mississippi 
Delta.

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