[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5954]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING TUNICA 10 POINT COALITION, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                  in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2017

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Tunica 10 Point Coalition, Inc. in Tunica County, Mississippi.
  Tunica 10 Point Coalition, Inc. is a Faith Based Organization with a 
strategic vision, programmatic structure, financial resources necessary 
to save at-risk youth from child abuse and neglect, street violence, 
drug abuse, school failure, teen pregnancy, incarceration, chronic 
health and wellness issues, spiritual depravity and hopelessness about 
the future.
  Tunica 10 Point Coalition, Inc. was formulated in 2004 after being 
introduced to the facts or the (10 Points) by the Memphis Chapter who 
was providing a training workshop on community involvement in local 
metropolitan areas. In April 2005, the Tunica 10 Point Coalition, Inc. 
organization was introduced to local clergy and community leaders. In 
2007, the Executive Board was officially established and officers 
elected took office to start the local chapter.
  Tunica 10 Point Coalition, Inc. primary mission is to work closely 
with local organizations and law enforcement, clergy, school 
administrators, elected officials and community leaders to assist with 
programs such as: after school programs, community outreach services 
and youth outreach enrichment activities. Partnership with these 
agencies enables the organization to continue to assist youth and 
parents in creating a better community for all. They are also partners 
with community health centers, recreation centers to promote good 
health choices and provide a program that will help guide youth and 
parents to a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising.
  Tunica 10 Point Coalition, Inc. organization has many accomplishments 
over the years with most of the involvement that are still ongoing in 
the community. Some of the major accomplishments and ongoing 
initiatives for the Tunica 10 Point Coalition are:
  1. Created the COW (Combating Obesity & Intervention Program) 
initiative that enables the Tunica community to participate in a FREE 
Health & Wellness Program.
  2. Partner with the local faith-based organizations to sponsor a 
weekly low impact exercise and wellness program on Tuesday and Friday 
from 4:15pm until 5:15pm with an annual membership fee of only $40.00.
  3. Initiated ``Water for Flint Drive'' in June 2016 with a Water-A-
Thon Day at the Rivergate Park in downtown Tunica. At the event, there 
was 308 cases of water collected and $450.00 in donations that was used 
to transport the water to Flint, Michigan. One of the Tunica 10 Point 
Coalition, Inc. board member and local pastor, Roman Fullilove 
volunteered to transport the water to Flint using his church van.
  4. Partner with the local Sheriff Department, Sheriff K. C. Hamp to 
assist in the monthly activities of the ``TRIAD'' Program who provides 
activities and programs for the senior citizens in the Tunica County 
community. This includes special activities such as: Valentine Day 
Celebration, Black History Month Observation, Senior Citizen Prom, 
Cancer Awareness Month, Home Coming Participation and Thanksgiving and 
Christmas Dinners celebrations. They also partner with the Sheriff 
Office to present Domestic Violence Awareness programs and activities 
which consist of speakers from various sources such as: local Judges, 
Mental Health and Law Enforcement.
  5. Provide financial assistance of $1,000.00 annually to the local 
Tunica Head Start Program to ensure each student receives a gift during 
the Christmas Holiday Season.
  6. Provide a $500.00 college scholarship to a deserving high school 
graduate(s) each year. The organization also donated $300.00 to a local 
college student, Keara Jones who attends Clark University to help 
sponsor her visit to London.
  7. Serve as character witnesses for youth at the local youth court 
proceedings regarding cases that involves youth who are identified as 
at-risk youth with minor offences. They have an opportunity to 
negotiate with the judge on penalty recommendation for certain cases. 
Pastor Evelyn Hubbard serves many times in this capacity.
  8. Participate with local community organization ``God Make Us One'' 
to identify and rectify diversity in the community to create racial 
harmony under the common core umbrella of Hope, Faith and Love. They 
meet quarterly and have an annual celebration for the entire community 
of Tunica County called ``The Great River Revival'' orchestrated by 
Brother Billy Pritt.
  9. Partner with the Tunica County Recreation Commission to sponsor 
the Summer Feeding Program, Snack Program and the Back-Pack Program 
annually. These programs are vital to the community to ensure the youth 
are receiving meals all year.
  10. Sponsor an Annual Gospel Extravaganza Concert each December for 
the Tunica County community which include world renown Gospel Artists 
such as: Lee Williams and the Spiritual QC's, Harvey Watkins and the 
Canton Spirituals, The Jackson Southernaires, and local Artists such 
as: The Tunica Harmonizers and the Tunica Gospel Choir. This concert 
provides spiritual connection for the entire community and is well 
received.
  The Tunica 10 Point Coalition, Inc. current Board of Directors 
consist of Pastor Evelyn Hubbard, Executive Director; Dr. Billy Willis, 
Chief Officer of Operations; Pastor Ben Pratt, President; and Pastor 
Kelvin Bell, Secretary/Treasurer.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Tunica 10 
Point Coalition, Inc. for their dedication to serving their community 
and this great state and country.

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