[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5001-5002]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DWIGHT A. BARFIELD

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 28, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an 
extraordinary Black History honoree, Mr. Dwight A. Barfield.
  Dwight A. Barfield was born to a prominent Civil Rights Activist and 
Vice Mayor of Marks, MS, the Late James Figgs Barfield and Eloise 
Barfield of Marks, MS. As a child, he was determined to be a 
distinguished follower of his father.
  Webster's dictionary delineates success as ``the attainment of 
wealth, favor and eminence.'' It is an apt definition, but only a 
partial one. What is missing is the kind of success that can only be 
measured in terms of self-fulfillment. At the young age of twenty-one 
and with the collaboration of young and old supporters and influential 
African Americans, Dwight Anthony Barfield was successful in his bid of 
becoming the youngest Mayor of Marks, Mississippi and the youngest 
elected official in Quitman County on June 3, 1993.
  During his tenure as mayor (Three Consecutive Terms from June 1993 
through June 2005), Dwight earned a reputation of being a coalition-
builder, managing to keep the City of Marks Board of Alderman and the 
Quitman County Supervisors together. Under his signature leadership, 
the citizens and the business

[[Page 5002]]

community thrived and flourished. He partnered with the Casino 
industry, (namely, Grand Casino) to provide city and county citizen's 
jobs. He brought business such as McDonald's, Family Dollar, BFI Waste 
Management to name a few.
  He has continued to exude unprecedented willingness to do whatever it 
takes to keep the community abreast of the positives and negatives. He 
is recognized amongst his family, his community, and his colleagues as 
a man of integrity, service, compassion, and outstanding spirit. He 
attended the historic church where Dr. Martin Luther King spoke on 
behalf of the ``Poor People Campaign that started in the 1968.''
  He is a dedicated and devoted member of Silent Grove Missionary 
Baptist Church, Marks MS where he serves as the Chairman of the Board 
of Trustees and as Deacon.
  He continues to be an activist in his community while ensuring that 
elected officials are held accountable for their actions to the 
citizens of Quitman County.
  He has served on various committees and is a member of numerous 
organizations to include, but not limited to the following:
  1. Currently served as Vice President of Mid-State Opportunity, Inc.
  2. Served as Male Mentor, After-School Peer Tutoring Program for 
Disadvantaged Youth
  3. Past President of the Mississippi Conference of Black Mayors
  4. Past Board Member of the National Conference of Black Mayors
  5. Past Board Member and Director of the U.S. World Conference of 
Mayors
  6. Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
  7. Delegate and Traveled abroad to Africa (Nigeria, Ghana and 
Senegal) to promote Democracy and World Peace.
  8. Members of Masonic Lodge Number 315 of Crowder, MS
  9. Founder and Former Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop Number 306
  Dwight A. Barfield's leadership, dedication, remarkable acts of 
courage, perseverance, tireless service to all mankind and passion to 
make a difference in his community, makes him an outstanding community 
activist.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Community 
Activist and Former Mayor, Dwight Anthony Barfield for his dedication 
to serving this City, County and State.

                          ____________________