[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 53 (Thursday, March 29, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E382]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING LEON WILSON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 29, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable public servant, Mr. Leon Wilson who is a native of Jackson, 
MS. He is married to the former Virginia Harris and is the biological 
father of three children: Malcolm Wilson, Tara Wilson Evans, and Steven 
Wilson (deceased); and a loving father to Jon Vincent Bell, Karen Bell 
and Teshia Sawyer.
  Mr. Wilson received his Bachelor of Science in mathematics from 
Langston University, Langston, OK and his Masters of Science in 
mathematics from Jackson State University, Jackson, MS. He did further 
study at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN.
  Mr. Wilson served as an educator for 30 years at Lanier and Callaway 
high schools with Jackson Public Schools. In addition to teaching all 
types of mathematics, he was the football coach, and track and field 
coach for Lanier High School. During his teaching career, he never 
missed an opportunity to talk to teens about making good decisions. He 
always encouraged them to work hard and would tell them ``be the best 
at whatever you do.''
  Because of his deep love for children, Leon, after retiring, tutored 
students who attended Jackson Public Schools and Hinds Community 
College. During the summer months, he continued to be involved in the 
lives of youth. He became the director of Grove Park Junior Golf 
Clinic--a clinic that taught young girls and boys the fundamentals of 
golfing. He worked with this organization for over 30 years. The only 
thing he loved as much as helping children was his Sunday evening 
golfing games with his friends. After playing 18 holes of golf, his 
friends and he would go into the club house and would participate in a 
bible study class.
  Mr. Wilson has been a member of Central United Methodist Church for 
65 years. He has always had a strong belief in God, and loves to 
discuss the Bible with anyone. During his years at Central, Leon has 
served in the following positions:
  Member of the Chanel Choir;
  Member of the Early Morning Glory Choir;
  Vacation Bible School Teacher;
  Van Driver;
  United Methodist Men (Treasurer);
  Disciple Bible Study (Teacher);
  Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee (Chairperson): 2 terms under 
Rev. E. L. Henry, 2 terms under Rev. Embra Jackson;
  Speaker at Early Morning Service;
  Tutored at Central's After School Program;
  Speaker at Brown Elementary Forum.
  He is loved by many and is known by many names. His students call him 
``Chief'' because he was the person in charge in his room. Athletes and 
some of our church members call him ``Coach.'' Golfers call him ``Head 
Pealer'' because he defeated them most of the time on the golf course. 
Still others just call him a ``good person'' because he does whatever 
he can to help them. Although he answers to all these names, the one 
that means the most to him is being known as ``one who loves the 
Lord.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Leon 
Wilson for his dedication to serving.

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