[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 4, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING LARRY D. CAMPER

                                 ______
                                 

                        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 public servant, Mr. Larry D. Camper. The son of Doris L. 
Howell and Doffie T. Camper was born on March 3, 1950 in Mendenhall, 
MS. He spent his childhood between Brandon, MS and Chicago, IL. In the 
early fifties, Camper and his mother returned from Chicago to live in 
Mississippi with his grandparents, Lenard and Bethel Howell. Upon 
returning to Mississippi, he started school at Rose Hill Baptist Church 
and in May 1968, he graduated from McLaurin High School where he 
received several athletic awards, including being voted the best 
athlete in his senior year.
  After high school, Camper began working for Mississippi Bank in 
Jackson, MS and was the first African American to work for a bank in 
Jackson in a position other than as a janitor. In the fall of 1968, he 
enrolled in Jackson State College and received a B.S. in Industrial 
Technology in 1972 while working for Mississippi Bank. After graduating 
from college, Camper enrolled in a management training program at the 
bank and after demonstrating an excellent work ethic that included a 
high level of professionalism, he was promoted to Bank Officer.
  In December of 1973, Camper married his college sweetheart, Patricia 
A. Buchanan from Prentiss, MS, who also received her B.S. in Education 
in 1973 from Jackson State University. Camper and Patricia share two 
wonderful children, LaTonya Rochell and LaDerek Rashad and a son-in 
law, Derrick Kirkland.
  Always aspiring to achieve and succeed, Camper continued to work hard 
at the bank learning all he could. In 1984, his drive and determination 
caused him to enroll in the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS to 
pursue a degree in Banking. Out of the 75 students enrolled in the 
program, Camper, again, succeeded as a first by being the only African 
American in this class to receive a banking degree in 1985. After 
graduating from the University of Mississippi, he continued to move up 
the ranks at Mississippi Bank, holding several officer positions. After 
35 years in banking and four bank mergers, Camper retired from Union 
Planters Bank as a Senior Vice President. In January 2004, Camper was 
offered a position with the Hinds County Tax Collector's office in 
Jackson, MS as the Assistant Tax Collector and Operations Manager where 
he continues to serve in this capacity.
  Over the last 35 years, Camper continued his excellent work in the 
community from his affiliation with several community, social and 
professional organizations, including: Leadership Jackson graduate 
(1999); Vice President, West Jackson CDC; Chairman of the Board of 
Directors, Capitol City Classic (Jackson, MS); Minority Business 
Development Loan Board (City of Jackson); Mississippi Bankers 
Association; Urban Financial Service Coalition; JSU National Alumni 
Association; Jackson Metro Housing Project; Education Committee Member 
for Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce; Life Member of Phi Beta Sigma 
Fraternity, Inc. and member of New Hope Baptist Church located on 
Watkins Drive.
  During his professional career, Camper also received numerous 
community awards and special honors, including ``Outstanding Young Man 
of America'' (1979 and 1985); and the Public Service Honor Award.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Larry 
D. Camper for his dedication to serving.

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