[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E847]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING WALTER ATKINS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2023

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable hero, Walter L. Atkins, Jr.
  Walter L. Atkins, Jr. was born November 10, 1972, to Mr. and Mrs. 
Walter L. Atkins, Sr. in Clarksdale, MS. He was the first born of 4 
children. In 1978, he moved to Darling, MS and resided there until 1990 
with his parents and siblings.
  Walter attended Falcon Elementary School and furthered his education 
by attending Quitman County High School and graduated in 1990. Walter 
joined the United States Army Reserve in 1989. Upon completion of his 
Basic and Advanced Individual Trainings, he furthered his education by 
attending Alcorn State University from 1991 to 1998. There he received 
his Bachelor of Science and Master of Secondary Education in Biological 
Sciences. During his freshman year of college, tragedy struck with the 
sudden death of his mother.
  Walter began his educational profession in the South Delta School 
District, where he served as a science teacher for 5 years. He left the 
profession for 3 years to pursue a career in auto sales. Fortunately, 
he returned to the profession that he so loved 3 years later in the 
Leland School District. In 2011, he joined the Drew School District 
where he served as a high school science teacher. The following year, 
the district consolidated with the Sunflower County School District to 
form the newly formed Sunflower County Consolidated School District. 
Walter left the classroom in hopes of becoming an administrator.
  In 2012, he served as an assistant principal and shortly after 
principal of R.H. Bearden Elementary School in the West Tallahatchie 
School District. In 2016, he returned to his home county, where he took 
the position as high school principal of (formerly known as Quitman 
County High School) Madison S. Palmer High. Upon returning, he was 
given the task of raising the graduation rate to 95 percent. In 2020, 
the district was recognized by MDE for its 95.7 percent graduation rate 
which placed the Quitman County School District in the top 10 of all 
school districts within the state of Mississippi.
  In addition, he spearheaded and began a College Prep initiative that 
took the financial burden of paying for college courses from the 
parents. He served in that capacity for 6 years where the school made 
many educational strides and received recognition from MDE for its 
academic successes. He currently serves as the district's Director of 
Curriculum and Instructional Management. Walter is the proud father of 
2 sons--D'Kedrianane and Jeremy, and has 2 grandchildren that he enjoys 
spending time with.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Walter 
L. Atkins, Jr., for he is a reflection of a hero.

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