[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8632]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MAYOR MARCUS WALLACE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 13, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable young entrepreneur and Mayor, Mayor Marcus Wallace of 
Edwards, Mississippi.
  Marcus L. Wallace was raised in Edwards, MS. He attended school in 
Edwards and graduated from Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA in 
1992, with a B.S. in Marketing. He is a successful businessman, serving 
as President and CEO of MAC & Associates, LLC. Additionally, Mr. 
Wallace is President of the Wall Group, a Sports & Entertainment Firm.
  As a young entrepreneur who had a plan to become a general 
contractor, he has grown his company from $500 projects to multimillion 
dollar projects, consisting of constructions of virtually every kind. 
To further expand the scope of his company's services, Mr. Wallace 
established MAC & Associates, LLC, a division of MAC Construction 
Company. Mr. Wallace and the company's principals, collectively, have 
over 50 years of expertise in government, commercial, and private 
sector construction management. MAC Construction Company of Mississippi 
is licensed, bonded and insured. During the past 16 years, MAC has 
completed several projects throughout the state of Mississippi. It is 
one of the fastest growing minority owned construction firms in 
Mississippi. Mr. Wallace is the largest minority owner of the new 
Westin Hotel (under construction) in downtown Jackson and has ownership 
in the Iron Horse Grill.
  In addition to his Construction prowess, Mr. Wallace has been a 
Sports Agent for professional athletes in the NBA and NFL, managed 
recording artists in the music industry and promoted concerts and 
comedy shows, and has extensive experience in the communication and 
transportation industries.
  On December 8, 2014, Mr. Wallace was sworn in as Mayor of Edwards, 
MS. He hit the ground running even before his inauguration and hasn't 
slowed down. His inaugural decisions sent a strong message about his 
focus. Instead of hosting a celebratory event, he redirected the funds 
to help families in Edwards. He provided shoes for kids in Edwards and 
made Christmas special for children by delivering toys during the 
Christmas holidays. From those simple steps, his path has not wavered. 
His focus is on the citizens of Edwards, a town he acknowledges ``needs 
everything''. Mayor Wallace sees himself as ``front line soldier'' 
intent upon seeing that they get it. During Mayor Wallace's first year 
in office, the Town of Edwards has experienced a transformation 
unparalleled in its history. The following are major accomplishments 
during May for Mayor Wallace's tenure:
  The police department has received new police cars, new uniforms, a 
new police chief, and the establishment of a Crime Task Force. Crime is 
down by 60 percent.
  Edwards and Cal-Maine Foods partnership for infrastructure 
improvement: Cal-Maine provided financial assistance to Edwards for 
optioning the electrical easement that will serve power to their new 
pullet facility. Also, Cal-Maine hired a company to clear the roadside 
and repair the road from Highway 80 to the railroad. The partnership is 
valued at over $75,000, with a $10,000 cash contribution to the town.
  Amnesty Day: Over $200,000 was collected during Amnesty Day.
  Community Building and Livestock Building Demolition: Edwards 
received $150,000 from Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) and 
$80,000 from Block Grant Funds.
  New Legal Appointments: Mayor Wallace appointed a new legal team that 
consisted of Judge Frank Sutton as Edwards' new Municipal Judge, Mrs. 
Greta Mack-Harris as Municipal Prosecutor, and Mr. Omar Nelson as the 
town's attorney.
  Edwards received a $20,000 grant from MDOT to enhance the Edwards' 
exits on Interstate 20, east and west bound.
  Established the Mayor's Annual Town Clean-Up Day.
  Balanced the Town's budget.
  Mr. Wallace is a committed civic leader and strong supporter of 
communities throughout central Mississippi. He is a born leader, 
respected for both his character and work ethics.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mayor 
Marcus Wallace for his dedication to serving our great state of 
Mississippi.

                          ____________________