[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 126 (Monday, July 19, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E772-E773]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING EDDIE BERNARD HARRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        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 
community leader, Mr. Eddie B. Harris.
  Eddie Bernard Harris was born October 31, 1961, to the late Willie 
Harris, Jr., and Mrs. Lillian Harris in Coffeeville, Mississippi. Eddie 
is

[[Page E773]]

the youngest of three children. He is a 1979 graduate of Coffeeville 
High School, and a 1983 graduate of Alcorn State University, with a 
Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture Education/Agronomy. Eddie has 
a Master of Science degree from Mississippi State University (1991) in 
Agriculture and Extension Education.
  Eddie is married to Annie Scott Harris (1985) and they have two 
children, Anika, and Ashley and two grandchildren. Anika has a B.S. and 
a M.S. from Mississippi State University. Anika is employed with the 
United States Department of Defense (Civilian) at Keesler Air Force 
Base in Biloxi, MS. Ashley has a B.S. from Alcorn State University and 
is a nutritionist with Mississippi State Department of Health.
  Eddie's career has taken him in many directions, first as a 
Vocational Agriculture Instructor in Durant, MS. He also worked for 
Mississippi State University Extension Service for 28 years, with 24 of 
those years in Humphreys County, MS.
  He has held several positions with Mississippi State University: 4-H 
Youth Agent; Assistant County Agent; County Agriculture Agent/County 
Leader; and District Soybean Agent.
  Eddie was the first black County Agricultural Agent in Humphreys 
County, MS. He was only 27 years of age when this monumental task was 
offered to him. Throughout all the challenges, he became a successful 
Extension Agent with farmers, youth, and community leaders.
  Eddie retired from Mississippi State University Extension Service in 
2009. He is most proud of when he was able to encourage minority youth 
to participate in exhibiting 4-H livestock in Humphreys County, MS. 
These youth exhibited their animals (hogs and cattle) at the County 
District and the Dixie National Livestock shows. These minority youth 
won many scholarships to help them with their college expenses, and 
they gained many life skills.
  Eddie has received many awards during his career:
  Distinguished Service Award--National Association of County 
Agricultural Agents.
  Soybean Agent of the Year--Mississippi Association of County 
Agricultural Agents.
  Swine Agent of the Year--MS Swine Producers Association.
  Paul F. Newell Award--Outstanding Agent; MS Cattleman Association.
  Hunter Education Instructor of the Year--MS Department of Wildlife, 
Fisheries & Parks.
  Eddie is a people person, and he gets along well with others. One of 
his former bosses said, ``If you can't get along with Eddie you can't 
get along with anybody.''
  Eddie moved back to his hometown of Coffeeville, MS, in 2010 after a 
long career in Agriculture and decided to get into politics. He is 
presently a Board of Supervisor member in Yalobusha County, MS, 
representing District 4. His goals as a County Supervisor are to bring 
his many years of leadership skills to this position. Eddie is focusing 
on repairing and maintaining roads and bridges, developing industries, 
and being fiscally responsible for the people's tax dollars.
  Eddie's parents taught him that you must respect yourself before 
others will respect you, to work hard and others will notice, and place 
God first in your life.
  Eddie is a member of Bethlehem M. B. Church in Coffeeville, MS. He is 
the adult Sunday School Teacher and Chairman of the Deacon Board.
  Eddie is proud of his many accomplishments, but more importantly to 
help people help themselves, through leadership and his amazing people 
skills.

                          ____________________