[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 126 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E769]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING PAUL L. WILLIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2021

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable public servant, Colonel Paul L. Willis from Edwards, 
Mississippi.
  Colonel Willis graduated from Utica Junior College in 1977 and from 
Alcorn State University, in Lorman, Mississippi, in May 1979, with a 
Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. In May 1989, Colonel Willis 
received his Master of Science Degree in Education from Chicago State 
University.
  Colonel Willis was a Distinguished Military Graduate of the ROTC 
program at Alcorn, and in May 1979, was commissioned a Second 
Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Transportation Corps. He attended numerous 
military schools during his career, culminating with the Air War 
College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.
  Colonel Willis retired from active duty on August 1, 2004 after 
serving over 25 years. He assumed his current position as Director of 
Army Instruction at Jackson Public Schools, on July 1, 2004. During his 
active duty career, Colonel Willis served in locations across the U.S. 
and overseas, including the 1st Persian Gulf War, Operations Desert 
Shield and Desert Storm, and he held a variety of command and staff 
positions. Most notably, he served as a commander of soldiers at every 
level in the Army from Platoon, Company, Battalion, Brigade and 
culminating as Commander, Eastern Region (ROTC), U.S. Army Cadet 
Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky.
  As Director of Army Instruction at Jackson Public Schools, Colonel 
Willis provides leadership and oversight for the largest JROTC program 
in the State of Mississippi, which has an average enrollment exceeding 
1,800 cadets. The units achieve an average high school graduation rate 
of 95 percent and nearly 100 percent of graduates are formally accepted 
to post high school institutions of higher learning, with annual 
scholarship offerings averaging $3.5 million.
  Colonel Willis has received numerous military awards including the 
Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Bronze Star Medal. He 
also received the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal for his selection 
as U.S. Army Cadet Command Director of Army Instruction of the Year for 
2013, the Mississippi Magnolia Cross, was inducted into the inaugural 
class of U.S. Army Cadet Command ROTC Hall of Fame in June 2016, and 
the 2019 Andrew Jackson Council Boy Scouts of America Whitney M. Young, 
Jr. Award. In 2020, The Clarion Ledger Newspaper recognized him as a 
Community Hero and the U.S. Army Transportation Corps inducted him as a 
Distinguished Member of the Regiment.
  Colonel Willis is married to the former Dorothene Torry of Utica, 
Mississippi, and they have two adult sons and six grandchildren. The 
Willis' currently reside in Utica, MS and they are the Owners/Operators 
of Gazebo Lake Ranch.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Colonel 
Paul L. Willis for his passion and dedication for success and desire to 
make a difference in the community.

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