[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 34 (Monday, February 26, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JACK WINSTEAD

 Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, it is an honor to pay tribute 
to Mr. Jack Winstead who, for years, has shown an overwhelming 
dedication to serving the Friends of Mississippi Veterans nonprofit as 
a member and former board president. I have had the honor of knowing 
Mr. Winstead and seeing firsthand the valuable impact his service has 
on communities throughout Mississippi. Jack has gone above and beyond 
the average citizen in honoring our Mississippi veterans, and I have 
the highest admiration for his work.
  Jack's commitment to service and being a positive influence in his 
community has a significant track record that started long before his 
appointment as board president of Friends of Mississippi Veterans. A 
native of Neshoba County, MS, Mr. Winstead received his undergraduate 
degree in agriculture from Mississippi State University. In addition to 
being the owner and operator of a purebred beef cattle farm for more 
than 20 years, he was the past chairman of Mississippi Soil and Water 
Conservation Commission, vice-chairman of the board of trustees of East 
Central Community College, and president of Mississippi Association of 
Conservation Districts. He also served 37 years at the U.S. Department 
of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service, which benefited 
from Mr. Winstead's profound knowledge on soil and water conservation. 
Today, Jack is a consultant to the Mississippi Commissioner of 
Agriculture and Commerce and is a board member for multiple 
organizations.
  As a Mississippi Air National Guard veteran, Jack has worked 
tirelessly to advocate for and help other veterans in Mississippi. He 
was instrumental in the 2007 founding of the Friends of Mississippi 
Veterans, which set an initial goal of establishing a veterans 
cemetery. Thanks to their leadership and hard work, our brave soldiers 
can now be laid to rest in two beautiful, State-operated veterans 
memorial cemeteries in Newton and Kilmichael. Mr. Winstead's work to 
not only ensure our veterans have a respectful final resting place but 
also to see to it that their families have a hallowed place to honor 
their loved ones is truly laudable.
  The Friends of Mississippi Veterans has become a crucial voice and 
support organization for the veterans in my State, particularly those 
residing in four veterans' nursing homes, where it offers assistance 
for construction and improvements and helps cover expenses related to 
the veterans cemeteries. It also actively promotes the Wreaths Across 
America national program.
  Mr. Winstead has time and time again stepped up as a leader in his 
community. He has shown true commitment and passion for everything he 
does, and for that, he has earned numerous special recognitions. In 
2007, Jack was named to the Southeastern Association of Conservation 
Districts' Hall of Fame. In 2008, Jack was recognized as Newton County 
Citizen of the Year, and he was named East Central Community College's 
Alumnus of the Year the following year.
  In conclusion, I am so grateful for Mr. Jack Winstead's years of 
service to Mississippi and for being able to consider him a dear 
friend. I applaud him for his many accomplishments and commitment to 
our veterans, and I commend him for the positive impact that is felt 
throughout Mississippi thanks to his influence.

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