[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 10, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MISSION MISSISSIPPI OF LEFLORE COUNTY FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO 
               RACIAL RECONCILIATION AND COMMUNITY UNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 10, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and commend Mission Mississippi of Leflore County, a remarkable 
organization based in Greenwood, Mississippi, for its unwavering 
commitment to racial reconciliation, spiritual healing, and community 
building.
  Founded as part of the broader Mission Mississippi movement, which 
began in Jackson in 1992, the Leflore County chapter has become a 
beacon of hope and unity in the Mississippi Delta. At a time when 
division often dominates our national discourse, this grassroots 
organization brings people together across racial and denominational 
lines through intentional fellowship, shared meals, and mutual respect.
  Mission Mississippi of Leflore County is led by Mr. Terry Williams, a 
local painting contractor and pastor, and Mr. Luke Quinn, a minister 
and clinical therapist. Together, they facilitate regular gatherings--
often breakfasts or luncheons--that rotate between churches with 
historically Black or White congregations. These events are not mere 
meetings; they are powerful acts of reconciliation, fostering honest 
dialogue, trust, and deeper understanding among individuals of diverse 
backgrounds.
  Through these efforts, Mission Mississippi of Leflore County engages 
in what Mr. Williams aptly describes as ``heart work''--emphasizing 
their belief that the path to racial harmony begins with the courage to 
know one another, to listen, and to love unconditionally. Their work 
underscores that true unity is not achieved solely through laws or 
policies, but through relationships and shared purpose.
  In January of this year, the chapter hosted a luncheon at St. Francis 
of Assisi Catholic Church, followed by a community meal in April that 
featured remarks from Dr. Montrell Greene, pastor of Sycamore Street 
Church of Christ. These are but a few examples of their ongoing efforts 
to bring diverse voices to the table and create a space where 
differences are acknowledged and celebrated.
  Mr. Quinn, reflecting on his journey from Texas to Georgia to 
Wisconsin before settling in the Delta, spoke candidly of Mississippi's 
often misunderstood legacy. He rightly observed that Mississippi is too 
frequently portrayed as a scapegoat for America's racial challenges, 
when in truth, it is home to many individuals working tirelessly to 
heal those very wounds--Mission Mississippi of Leflore County among the 
foremost.
  Grounded in faith and expansive in impact, their mission exemplifies 
what it means to live out the gospel in a divided world--breaking 
bread, building bridges, and showing that we have more in common than 
in conflict.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Mission 
Mississippi of Leflore County for their vital work in uplifting their 
community, challenging stereotypes, and leading with grace and love. 
Their efforts remind us that reconciliation is possible--one 
conversation, one relationship, and one act of compassion at a time.

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