HONORING SENATOR SARITA SIMMONS

HONORING SENATOR SARITA SIMMONS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 42 (Thursday, March 5, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 42 (Thursday, March 5, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E191] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING SENATOR SARITA SIMMONS ______ HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON of mississippi in the house of representatives Thursday, March 5, 2026 Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and commend an outstanding and dedicated public servant and community activist from Mississippi's Delta region, Senator Sarita Simmons. Senator Simmons was born in Cleveland, Mississippi, and raised in a family deeply committed to public service. She is the daughter of Willie Lee Simmons, former Mississippi State Senator from the 13th District and current Central District Transportation Commissioner. Her mother, Rosie Simmons, served as the Bolivar County Circuit Clerk and made history as the first African American since Reconstruction to hold that position. From an early age, Senator Simmons was instilled with the values of leadership, perseverance, and service to community. A proud graduate of Cleveland High School, Class of 1995, Senator Simmons went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Educational Psychology from Alcorn State University in 1999. Following graduation, she moved to Georgia, where she worked in education and behavioral health, dedicating herself to supporting vulnerable populations. Prior to returning home, she was engaged in drug rehabilitation and outreach efforts in Atlanta, helping individuals and families rebuild their lives. In 2004, Senator Simmons returned to Cleveland to manage her family's soul food restaurant, reaffirming her commitment to the community that shaped her. When her father chose not to seek re-election to Mississippi Senate District 13, encompassing parts of Bolivar, Sunflower, and Tallahatchie Counties, she answered the call to public service. She assumed office on January 7, 2020, becoming the first Black woman to represent the district in the Mississippi State Senate. Upon her return to the Delta, Senator Simmons recognized a troubling trend: too many of her peers had been compelled to leave the region in search of opportunity elsewhere. Motivated by the Delta's ongoing brain drain, she has focused her efforts on recruiting industry, strengthening public education, supporting educators, and expanding access to affordable healthcare. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the Investigate State Offices Committee and on several key committees in the Mississippi Senate. Beyond her legislative work, Senator Simmons is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women, and the Bolivar County Democratic Executive Committee. Through these affiliations, she continues her lifelong mission of civic engagement and community empowerment. Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the achievements of Senator Sarita Simmons and in recognizing her unwavering commitment to public service and her tireless efforts to advance education, economic development, and healthcare access in Mississippi. Her leadership embodies the resilience and promises of the Mississippi Delta, and her work continues to inspire those she serves. ____________________