[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 4, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING VELMA DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 4, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable community servant, Velma Davis. Velma has shown what can be 
done through hard work, dedication and the desire to live a long and 
fruitful life.
  Velma Davis was born in 1903 in the Thornton Community of Holmes 
County. She received her education at the St. Francis Catholic School 
and attended the Yazoo High School Number Two. Ms. Davis continued her 
education with courses from Holmes Community College, Jackson State 
University and the Tuskegee Alabama Institute.
  Ms. Davis entered adulthood during a time of great change in 
Mississippi. It was the era when most of her daily activities took 
place in segregated facilities. In 1957, Ms. Davis began working at the 
Kings Daughters Hospital in Yazoo City where she worked for 13 years. 
She was one of the first African Americans hired to work at Kings 
Daughters, and she witnessed the changes that slowly took place as the 
hospital opened its door to the entire community.
  After several years had passed, she went to work at the E & W Plant 
in Yazoo City, where she was involved in the production of clothing. In 
1973, she began working for the Headstart in Yazoo City, when it was a 
part of the Community Action and Cooperative Program. While working at 
Headstart for over 36 years, Velma maintained a very active social life 
while being a mother to five children.
  She was involved with the American Legion Post No. 201 Women's 
Auxiliary and the Yazoo Community Action Program, and during that time 
she worked part time for 24 years with the Warren Yazoo Mental Health.
  Velma's long job history includes working for the Centers for Disease 
Control in Adult Immunizations, part-time sales clerk for two years at 
the Black and White Department Store, and a CNA for the Betty Pyles 
Nursing Register for 5 years at the Care Inn in Yazoo City. Ms. Davis 
worked on the Community Response Emergency Team for six years, an 
American Red Cross CPR and First Aid Instructor for five years and she 
worked with the Deep South Organization for four years.
  In 2010, Velma retired from Headstart, after three decades of service 
to the children of Yazoo City. After retirement she got involved with 
NCBA Program, which trains seniors to do different things so they can 
be employed. In 2012, she began working at the Yazoo County Human 
Resources Agency as the activity coordinator where she hosts several 
activities for seniors such as health screenings, birthday outings and 
more.
  She is an active member of Beulah Land Baptist Church, where she is 
the vice president of the church choir. Ms. Davis works with MAP 
Headstart as the Chairperson over the Health Advisory Committee, and 
holds the office of Treasury of the Yazoo County TRIAD through the 
District Attorney's Office. She is also a member of the Yazoo County 
Fair and Civic Leach choir.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Velma 
Davis for her dedication and tenacity to serving her community and 
desire to be an example for all.

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