[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 443]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE SMOKEHOUSE GRILL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 9, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
budding Minority Business in the Mississippi Delta, The Smokehouse 
Grill in Marks, MS.
  On January 19, 1971, L.C. and Velma Pride welcomed a bouncing baby 
boy they named Paul Andrew. Paul was the youngest of the eight Pride 
children. Paul attended Quitman County School District where he 
received his high school diploma in 1989.
  Paul furthered his education at Northwest Community College in 1990 
majoring in Computer Programming. He became employed at Sunflower 
Grocery Store in Senatobia, MS for his first job. He worked there for 
two years where he learned to become an independent man he is today. He 
later moved on to a better opportunity at Mood Automotive for eight 
years where he gained a lot of friends, experience, and skills to be an 
example for others to follow.
  Paul purchased his first home in Marks, MS at the age of 21. It was a 
huge accomplishment that he was extremely proud of. He later began 
driving trucks for Ozark Motor Lines where he worked two years. During 
this time, his daughter, the most beautiful girl, was born on April 14, 
2002 and he named her, Japarian Marie Pride. Japarian is now an 
intelligent, outgoing 11 year old who attends South Panola Schools.
  Driving through Marks, MS in March of 2002, Paul had a taste for 
barbeque rib tips, but there was no ``Rib Shack'' in Marks. Paul came 
up with the idea to open a rib shack. ``I asked God to show me the 
way,'' stated Paul and two months later, the doors of Paul Pride's 
Smokehouse were opened. Smokehouse, as it is commonly called, has been 
selling rib tips, chopped barbeque, ribs, wings, and fish ever since.
  Smokehouse is located at 1075 Martin Luther King Dr. in Marks, MS. 
Paul stated, ``We have a great location here and we are located in an 
industrial area on Main St. Since opening, Smokehouse has saturated 
Quitman, Panola, Coahoma, and Tallahatchie counties.'' Being from 
Marks, Paul is no stranger to the area. His father was a part of the 
Marks Police Department for 40 years. Paul's roots run deep in the city 
of Marks. Eleven years later, he is still on the grill and Smokehouse 
is still going strong.
  Paul is now engaged to Stacy Frost who helps him run Smokehouse. Paul 
is destined to continue running his business and serving great food to 
those who eat at and support The Smokehouse Grill. Paul has a bright 
future that is continuing to blossom on a path to greatness.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing The 
Smokehouse Grill for serving our great community.

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