[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 286]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO SURENKUMAR S. DESAI

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2003

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to Mr. Surenkumar S. Desai of Madison County, Mississippi. Mr. Desai 
was serving as the Ward 3 Alderman in Canton, Mississippi at the time 
of his passing.
  Mr. Desai immigrated to the United States from India in 1981, and was 
proud to be an American while still embracing his Indian heritage. In 
1982, Mr. Desai moved to Mississippi and worked at a local drive-in 
restaurant. Two years later, he was transferred to the City of Canton 
to serve as the manager of another drive-in restaurant within the same 
chain.
  Mr. Desai became an American citizen in 1992, and developed a keen 
interest in local politics thereafter. Mr. Desai campaigned several 
times serve as an elected official in the capacity of Mayor of Canton 
and Madison County District 1 Supervisory to no avail. However, his 
persistence paid off and in December of 2001, Mr. Desai was finally 
elected to serve as Ward 3 Alderman of the City of Canton, Mississippi.
  Many referred to and knew Mr. Desai merely as S.K. Mr. Desai was 
known as a hard working man that loved his job. He was regarded as a 
person who took great pride in being an elected public servant. Mr. 
Desai made a point to be present at City Hall everyday and make himself 
accessible to the citizens of Canton.
  Mr. Desai is survived by his wife, two sons, and his parents.

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