[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 79 (Friday, May 7, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E491]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MRS. EULA V. POLK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 7, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable individual, Mrs. Eula V. Polk, on her 109th Birthday.
  Eula was one of ten children, born to Richard and Frankie Owens-Brown 
in Terry, MS, on May 24, 1912.
  She grew up working on her family farm where they grew their own 
food. They had cattle, chicken, turkeys, geese, hogs and various 
vegetables. They would use spring water for drinking and cooking and 
rainwater for bathing and washing clothes. Her family washed clothes on 
a wooden washboard and boiled the white clothes on a potbelly stove 
until they were ready to hang outside on their picket fence to dry.
  On Christmas, as a little girl, she would receive grass dolls, 
apples, oranges, sticks of candy, and raisins. She was always thankful 
and happy for her gifts.
  Whether it was raining, hot, or cold, she walked to church and 
school. On Saturdays, she would go to the local store to buy a stick of 
candy for 1 cent and ice cream for 5 cents. If she was walking on the 
sidewalk, in town, and met a white person, she would have to get off to 
let them pass by before continuing on her way. Around five o'clock 
every evening, a bell would ring notifying black people they'd have to 
leave town. Upon hearing the bell, she would head home.
  Life was good to Eula until she grew older and learned that there was 
a grave distinction between the races.
  She attended Terry Grove Church School, Pilgrim Rest Church School, 
and Lanier High School where she completed her education.
  In 1921, She united with Little Bethel CME Church in Terry, MS where 
she remains a member. The older she got she began to understand the 
meaning of service within the church. Eula proudly served as a Sunday 
school teacher, secretary, treasurer, usher, and choir member for 
twenty-five years. She also served as a stewardess and a missionary 
president.
  Eula served her community district as a treasurer, zone leader, 
stewardess, and worship leader. She has served countless times as a 
conference delegate for her church.
  In 1940, she was united in holy matrimony to Eddie Lee Polk. Together 
they raised two children, Willie James and Moses Lee.
  Since 1949, she has been a member of the Heroines of Jericho, Grand 
Lodge 353. In May 2012, she received an honorary doctorate from Mt. Eva 
Foundation Theological Seminary in Terry, MS.
  On her 100th birthday, she received birthday greetings from President 
Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
  Eula is blessed that God has allowed her to see fourteen 
grandchildren, thirty-five great grandchildren and eleven great-great 
grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mrs. Eula 
V. Polk on her 109th Birthday.