[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 482-483]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING CHESTER H. STANFORD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 10, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
challenge-oriented young man who understands that it takes tenacity and 
self reliance to reach the highest success, Mr. Chester H. Stanford.

[[Page 483]]

  Chester H. Stanford was born November 26, 1995 in Chicago, IL to 
proud parents Travis and Nora Stanford. He attended St. Elizabeth 
Catholic School in Chicago, IL for two years in kindergarten and first 
grade. It is this institution that he credits for giving him an 
advanced perspective of what knowledge is and what can be done to 
obtain it.
  In September 2003 Chester and his mother relocated to Vicksburg, MS 
to care for his grandmother. Chester believes the responsibility of 
caring for his grandmother in the absence of his mother is what taught 
him to care for others, which in turn made him want to do all he can to 
help the next person.
  Chester is a member of the Vicksburg High School JROTC, which he 
credits for molding his character. Chester has climbed the ranks in 
JROTC. Starting his freshman year, he went from being a Cadet Private 
to Cadet Corporal his sophomore year; he progressed from Cadet Corporal 
to Cadet Second Lieutenant and gained the position of the Battalion 
Training Officer.
  Currently, during his junior year, he progressed from Cadet Second 
Lieutenant to Cadet Captain. Through this program he has learned what 
service truly is. He has participated in and led several community 
service events at nursing homes, community events, and elementary 
schools. He has also participated in charity events for the local Child 
Abuse Prevention (CAP) Center through the Culinary Arts Program, 
through which he, along with 20 other students, prepared thousands of 
hot meals that were sold to gain money for the organization.
  Chester credits his mother for being the backbone of the family and 
directing his path. His motto is, ``that all things can be done through 
the love and service of your fellow man.''
  Chester is a member of Mt. Carmel M. B. Church where he has served as 
secretary of the Sunday School Department since 2008 and in 2011 became 
a Sunday School teacher.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. 
Chester H. Stanford for his hard work, dedication and a strong desire 
to achieve through adversity.

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