Extensions of Remarks E244 HON. BENNIE G
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E244 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks March 2, 2020 his outstanding and impactful tenure as Chief to become an ordained minister. In 2011, around the State of Mississippi in order to get Executive Officer (CEO) of the Idaho Farm Ruthie obtained her Minister’s License after Democratic candidates elected on the local, Bureau. Rick has dedicated the past 41 years graduating from the ASCC School of Ministry. state, and national levels. of his life to the Farm Bureau and protecting She faithfully served on the Ministry Team For many years, Ruthie was an active mem- the many great farmers of Idaho. Throughout until her health began to fail in April of 2019. ber of the Washington County Democratic his leadership, total membership increased 39 Ruthie was educated in the Bolivar County Party, and she worked closely with the Demo- of the 41 years he held the office of CEO. Public Schools in Rosedale, Mississippi and in cratic National Committee (DNC). She not only Over the years, Rick has been an active the Greenville Public Schools where she grad- campaigned for State Democratic candidates and spirited member of the Idaho Farm Bu- uated from Coleman High School in the Class such as Robert Clark, but in 1987, Ruthie reau. Originally starting as a field manager for of 1960. She also attended Alcorn A&M Col- campaigned diligently to elect Mike Espy to Southeast Idaho, Rick worked fervently and lege in Lorman, Mississippi where she first the U.S. House of Representatives (MS 2nd eventually was named Organizational Director. majored in Early Elementary Education. How- District). Then, in 1993, she helped to secure Under this title he has worked with members ever, after her first day of practice teaching victory for Bennie Thompson when he suc- and officials from each of the 37 individual with a classroom full of young children, Ruthie cessfully ran for Mississippi’s same 2nd Con- county Farm Bureaus to ensure ample access quickly realized that she was in the wrong field gressional seat after Mike Espy became the to county, state, and national insurance bene- and changed her major to Business Adminis- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. fits for each member. Along with these bene- tration. She was the first of her siblings to both In 1988, while serving as the Precinct Cap- fits, the Bureau protects member farmers graduate from high school and attend college. tain of 3–1, Ruthie galvanized the highest through creating and pushing legislation both After leaving Alcorn A&M College, Ruthie voter turnout in the precinct’s history, which on the State and National level, working close- returned home to Greenville where she played a pivotal role in electing Mississippi’s ly with appointed officials for the benefit of our worked as a Secretary in the Greenville Public 60th Governor, Raymond Mabus, Jr. farmers. I had the pleasure of working with Schools at T.L. Weston High School and E.E. In 1993 and 1994, Ruthie was also instru- Rick at the State and Federal level. Bass Jr. High School before starting her bank- mental in helping to elect Greenville attorneys, Admirably, one of Rick’s favorite jobs was ing career as a Teller. Throughout her career Johnnie E. Walls, Jr. and Willie Bailey to the working with the many volunteer leaders within in banking, she worked at various banks in- Mississippi State Senate (12th Senatorial Dis- the organization, who forfeit their free time in cluding Commercial National Bank, Trustmark trict) and the Mississippi State House of Rep- order to help farmers and ranchers. Even Bank, and Sunburst Bank, which later became resentatives (49th District), respectively. though he progressed to a higher office, he Union Planters Bank before eventually becom- Because Ruthie was such a gracious host- never forgot his roots. ing present day Regions Bank. ess who maintained a lovely home, she was Madam Speaker, Rick Keller’s many years Ruthie’s natural gift for accurately and often called upon to host visiting dignitaries at of service and advancement of farmers across speedily counting money; her excellent people her residence, including The Reverend Jesse our state, as well as his example to the citi- skills; and her strong work ethic led to her me- Jackson, Sr., Minister Louis Farrakhan, Judge zens of Idaho will be widely missed. I com- teoric rise in every bank where she worked. James Earl Graves, Jr., and former Atlanta mend the work he has done over the years. Not only was she chosen to train numerous Mayor Andrew Young’s daughter, Andrea May he enjoy his retirement with his wife Tellers who came after her, but she eventually Young, just to name a few. Alene. became the first African-American Branch Moreover, long before the ‘‘Me Too Move- f Manager of a bank in Greenville, Mississippi. ment,’’ Ruthie recognized the need for women After retiring from Regions Bank, in the to hold political offices. As a result, she served HONORING RUTHIE MAE RANSOM summer of 1996, Ruthie was hired as the Of- as the Campaign Manager or as a volunteer MORRIS fice Manager at lnfipro Security for several for numerous female candidates, including years before her love for both ministry and Vernita King Johnson, Bernadine Young (De- HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON business led her to become the Bookkeeper at ceased), Laverne Moore Holmes, Margaret OF MISSISSIPPI The Salvation Army in Greenville, Mississippi. Carey-McCray, and Estelle Pryor, among oth- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES She ‘‘officially’’ ended her work career when ers. she retired from her bookkeeping position at Monday, March 2, 2020 Ruthie was preceded in death by her par- The Salvation Army in 2012. However, in ents, Henry and Blanche; her siblings, Martha Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam 2016, Ruthie was recruited to become the Of- (Bay) Birkhead Brewer, Alma Catherine (Glo- Speaker, I rise today to honor a remarkable fice Manager at Jackson Heating and Air Con- ria) Ransom, Marguerite (Sister) Clark, Betty public servant, Mrs. Ruthie Mae Ransom Mor- ditioning where she remained for two (2) years Jean (Beh Jean) Walker, Henry (Bay Brother/ ris. and acquired yet another ‘‘spiritual son,’’ Ramp) Ransom, Jr., Clarence (Scrappy) Ran- Ruthie Mae Ransom Morris was born on Malcom Jackson, who was her boss. som, and Charles (Bimbo) Ransom. She will October 24, 1942 in Leland, Mississippi, to Despite being a working mom with three (3) be missed by many more. Henry Parker Ransom, Sr. and Blanche John- children, Ruthie still found time to be civically Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join son Ransom. She was the sixth of their ten and politically active in her community. For me in recognizing Mrs. Ruthie Mae Ransom (10) children. more than thirty (30) years, Ruthie served on Morris for her dedication to serving others and Ruthie accepted Christ at an early age and the Board of Directors of the Brent Daycare giving back to her community. was baptized under the leadership of her Center, which later became known as The f uncle, Reverend Clarence Johnson, who was Greenville Daycare and Learning Center the Founder and Senior Pastor of the Shady (TGDALC). While serving on the Board of BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY Grove South Missionary Baptist Church TGDALC, Ruthie worked closely with her fel- CONTEST 2020 GRADES 6–8 (SGSMBC) in Greenville, Mississippi. During low Board Members as well as various Direc- her years at SGSMBC, Ruthie sang in the tors, including Ruby Gloria Washington, who HON. A. DONALD McEACHIN Senior Choir, typed and printed the Church also became a close friend of Ruthie’s; and OF VIRGINIA bulletins, organized special events, and served Dollie Creath, who became a mentee of IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES as a trusted confidant and adviser to Rev- Ruthie’s. Throughout her years on the Board erend Clarence Johnson as well as to his suc- of TGDALC, Ruthie formed strategic partner- Monday, March 2, 2020 cessor, Pastor Solomon B. Miller. Following ships with various agencies to secure the nec- Mr. MCEACHIN. Madam Speaker, I would Pastor Miller’s departure from SGSMBC, essary funding in order to ensure that numer- like to take this opportunity to recognize exem- Ruthie continued to serve under Pastor Greg- ous children throughout the South End and all plary middle and high school students from ory C. Lance, Sr., who, like Pastor Miller, not over the City of Greenville were able to obtain Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District who only became the Senior Pastor of SGSMBC, an excellent pre-school education. She re- were selected as winners of the Black History but was also ‘‘a spiritual son’’ to Ruthie. mained on the Board of Directors of TGDALC Month essay contest I hosted earlier this In 1997, Ruthie joined Agape Storge Chris- until it eventually closed its doors. month. I am inspired by the words of these tian Center (ASCC) under the leadership of In addition to her civic engagements with students, and I encourage young people Dr. Thomas Paul Williams, who was a lifelong several organizations including her beloved across our country to reflect on what this family friend and former member of SGSMBC. Coleman High School Class of 1960, Ruthie month means to them personally. During her years at ASCC, Ruthie served as was passionate about politics. In fact, she Since its creation less than 50 years ago, a Greeter before answering God’s call for her canvassed Delta neighborhoods and traveled Black History Month has been a time to honor VerDate Sep 11 2014 03:14 Mar 03, 2020 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A02MR8.024 E02MRPT1 dlhill on DSKBBY8HB2PROD with REMARKS March 2, 2020 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E245 and recognize the remarkable achievements Call No.