[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12864]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MR. GREY FLOWERS FERRIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise to salute one of 
Mississippi's finest politicians and agriculturist, former State 
Senator and farmer, Mr. Grey Flowers Ferris. Grey was a lifelong 
advocate for public education and a marvelous steward of farmland. His 
steadfast devotion to his family, friends, and farming are remarkable 
and will never be forgotten.
  Madam Speaker, not long after graduating from college and pursuing a 
career in politics, Ferris returned to his passion of farming. As a 
child he grew up on a farm with four other siblings and it was then 
when he discovered his love for farming.
  Madam Speaker, as a local farmer and family man, Ferris developed a 
passion for creating a better future for the children of Mississippi. 
Ferris was elected to the first board of the Vicksburg-Warren School 
District and served working to unite the school systems. With the deep 
divisions in local education in the Warren County, Mississippi, region, 
Ferris decided to run for State Senate to better address the State's 
education challenges. During his two terms in MS State Senate, Ferris 
was elected to serve as chairman of the Senate Education Committee and 
worked to reform education in rural and underfunded areas in 
Mississippi. He served as a lead author of the Adequate Education Act, 
which regulated the way money was allocated and spent among public 
schools.
  Madam Speaker, Grey not only worked hard to advocate for education 
but he was lover of the environment and a first class citizen. He was 
well-respected by his peers not only for who he was but more so for 
what he did.
  Madam Speaker, Grey saw the need to and retained the desire to change 
the world. Grey stared racism in its ugly face and combated it. The 
people of Mississippi hold him with high regard and respect.
  Madam Speaker, Grey Ferris was a man who saw the ability to serve the 
public as a privilege--not just an obligation. He served the citizens 
of Mississippi well through his continuous efforts of seating on the 
board of the Vicksburg Art Association, the Mercy Regional Medical 
Center, the Soil and Water Conservation Commission, the Mississippi 
School Board Association and the William Winter Institute for Racial 
Reconciliation.
  Grey Ferris wore many hats--an advocate of education, a protester for 
equality, devoted family man, committed farmer, and fine and just 
politician who worked to ensure fairness among all citizens of 
Mississippi. Today, Madam Speaker, it gives me great pride to recognize 
and honor the many contributions and continuous service of Grey Flowers 
Ferris to the State of Mississippi.

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