[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 18856-18857]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING TRINA GEORGE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 11, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Trina 
George, who is a Director, Leader and Public Servant.
  Trina George was appointed on June 29, 2009, by President Barack 
Obama to serve as Mississippi's Director of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's Rural Development. She has made history by being the 
first woman appointed in this position for the State of Mississippi. In 
her new role, she is charged with assisting residents of rural 
Mississippi with a range of programs such as: Affordable Housing, Water 
Systems Upgrades, and Economic Development Efforts. Rural development 
also provides grant and loan assistance to local governments and non-
profit organizations for fire and police protection as well as health 
clinics, libraries and other facilities for public use. She is an 
advocate for rural communities throughout the state to assist with 
their growth, development and sustainability.
  Prior to this appointment, Mrs. George served for 15 years as a 
Special Project Coordinator for Congressman Bennie Thompson where she 
resolved community and constituency issues by thinking inside, outside 
and around the box. Her hands-on experience in the Congressional Office 
served as an ideal prerequisite for her role in rural economic 
development and community participation for the State of Mississippi.

[[Page 18857]]

  Mrs. George served on many civic organizations, including education 
and volunteer groups. She is actively involved in the community where 
she is: a Board Member for the Heart of the South Girl Scouts Council, 
which serves Northern Mississippi and Southern Tennessee; and a Member 
of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, and PI Alpha Alpha Honor Society. 
She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Mississippi Valley State University 
and a Master's Degree from Mississippi State University. She is 
currently a Ph.D. Candidate in Public Policy and Administration at 
Walden University. Also, she holds a Professional Certificate in 
Management and Leadership from the NeighborWorks Training Institute of 
America in Washington, DC.
  Mrs. George is an important advocate for rural communities throughout 
the state. She administers and manages over 40 programs which include: 
housing; business and cooperative programs; community programs; and 
community facilities which are designed to improve the quality of life 
in rural America. Rural Development is an agency that the Obama 
Administration wants to see in the forefront of efforts to promote 
renewable energy and conservation of natural resources while ensuring a 
safe, sustainable, nutritious food supply through the Agency's 
cooperatives for present and future users.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Trina 
George, a director, leader and advocate, who is improving the quality 
of life for rural America.

                          ____________________