[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21071]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING KIMBERLY NICOLE MORGAN, MISS MISSISSIPPI 2007

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 26, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I would like to 
congratulate the 2007 Miss Mississippi Pageant winner, Kimberly Nicole 
Morgan.
  Kimberly, a 24-year-old native of Oxford, MS, is the daughter of 
Elzie and Valerie Morgan. Kimberly, a music teacher at Madison Shannon 
Palmer High School in Quitman County, MS, is no stranger to wearing a 
crown. A former Miss Alcorn State University 2005, she has also reigned 
as Miss Freshman 2001-2002 and Miss Southwest in 2006. She currently 
serves as Miss Heritage, respectively.
  Kimberly obtained a bachelor's degree in vocal music from Alcorn 
State University in 2006. She was actively involved in the ASU Gospel 
Choir, Beaute Noire Modeling Squad, and the ASU Student Government 
Association. Kimberly won the coveted Miss Mississippi crown as the 
pageant celebrated its 50th anniversary. As Miss Mississippi, Kimberly 
will compete in the Miss America pageant where she will spread her 
platform issue G.O.T.M.I.L.K.!, Golden Opportunity Toward Music 
Increasing Literacy in Kids, a weekly after-school program of music 
instructions. Kimberly understands that most children of low income and 
rural communities lack linguistic development, adaptation to their 
environment, basic child development, and overall school performance. 
G.O.T.M.I.L.K.!, is a method that can use music in the teaching of 
reading to enhance motivation and the abilities of children because the 
subject has so many similarities. Her goal is to teach everyone to 
become proficient in reading, writing, and mathematics as well as aims 
for students to become proficient in making and learning music.
  ``Words can't express what I am feeling,'' Morgan said after being 
crowned by Miss Mississippi, ``God has answered my prayers''. Kimberly, 
the second African-American woman crowned Miss Mississippi during its 
50 year history, won a scholarship and hopes to become the fifth 
Mississippian to win the Miss America Pageant. Kimberly was chosen from 
a field of 47 contestants during the week-long pageant. This is an 
enormous step for Mississippi and its progress towards African-American 
women breaking through the color barrier by successfully competing as 
equals and being considered equally as intelligent, beautiful human 
beings.
  Ms. Morgan, a god-fearing, family-oriented, selfless woman has had 
the same dreams of music, education, mentoring to the youth, and 
pageants since the age of 7. After viewing a Miss Mississippi Pageant 
as a child, Kimberly proclaimed to her classmates that she wanted to be 
Miss America. ``All the other kids were saying they wanted to be 
doctors and lawyers, and I raised my hand and said I wanted to be Miss 
America.''
  I am very proud of Ms. Morgan and all of her accomplishments. She is 
truly a vision of grace and beauty, and I look forward to seeing her 
represent the State of Mississippi in the Miss America Pageant in 2008.
  Please join me today in congratulating Ms. Kimberly Nicole Morgan. I 
am certain she will represent our State in an extraordinary way.

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