[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 93 (Thursday, May 27, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S3889]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO TOM GRESHAM

 Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, on May 31, 2020, Mr. Tom 
Gresham of Indianola, MS, concluded his term as the 84th president of 
Delta Council. I am pleased to commend him for his service and 
contributions to the Delta region and the State of Mississippi.
  Organized in 1935, Delta Council plays an important role in uniting 
the agricultural, business, and economic development leadership to 
solve problems and promote greater opportunities in the Mississippi 
Delta region, which encompasses 19 counties in Northwest Mississippi.
  Mr. Gresham's tenure began on the heels of the devastating and 
historical Yazoo Backwater Flood of 2019, which destroyed thousands of 
acres, hundreds of homes, and took two lives. As a Delta native, 
business owner, and servant to his community, his leadership helped 
bring tremendous attention and change to a new plan proposed by the 
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to address this critical flood control 
issue.
  He also met challenges unlike any other Delta Council president in 
the unprecedented times we faced during the onset of the global 
pandemic of COVID-19. In leading Delta Council throughout his 
presidency, he navigated the way for the council to continue its 
devoted work to the region, despite the difficulties the virus brought 
us. This included the first-ever virtual meeting of Delta Council.
  I also applaud Mr. Gresham, as a longtime former chairman of Delta 
Council's Development Department, along with Delta Strong leadership, 
on bringing hundreds of jobs to the Delta through the Delta Strong 
industrial recruitment initiative. As the president of Double Quick, 
Inc., for over 35 years, Tom Gresham knows what it takes to grow a 
successful business in the Delta.
  Despite the time spent dedicated to his presidency and career, Mr. 
Gresham still finds time to serve in a multitude of capacities locally 
and regionally. He has served in leadership roles as cochairman of the 
Indianola Promise Community, director of Northwest Mississippi 
Community Foundation, past chairman of Mississippi Economic Council 
past president of Mississippi Association of Convenience Stores, 
Indianola Educational Foundation, Indianola Rotary Flub, Mid-Delta Arts 
Association, Society of Independent Gas Marketers of America, and more.
  I am pleased to join the citizens throughout the State of Mississippi 
in commending Thomas G. Gresham and sharing our appreciation with his 
wife Louise Houseman Gresham and their three adult children and four 
grandchildren. His input over his year of service has undoubtedly 
contributed to the overall success of this highly respected 86-year-old 
organization, Delta Council.

                          ____________________