TRIBUTE TO JACK WINSTEAD
Congressional Record Vol. 170, No. 34
(Senate - February 26, 2024) PDF
Mrs. HYDE-SMITH. Mr. President, it is an honor to pay tribute
to Mr. Jack Winstead who, for years, has shown an overwhelming
dedication to serving the Friends of Mississippi Veterans nonprofit as
a member and former board president. I have had the honor of knowing
Mr. Winstead and seeing firsthand the valuable impact his service has
on communities throughout Mississippi. Jack has gone above and beyond
the average citizen in honoring our Mississippi veterans, and I have
the highest admiration for his work.
Jack's commitment to service and being a positive influence in his
community has a significant track record that started long before his
appointment as board president of Friends of Mississippi Veterans. A
native of Neshoba County, MS, Mr. Winstead received his undergraduate
degree in agriculture from Mississippi State University. In addition to
being the owner and operator of a purebred beef cattle farm for more
than 20 years, he was the past chairman of Mississippi Soil and Water
Conservation Commission, vice-chairman of the board of trustees of East
Central Community College, and president of Mississippi Association of
Conservation Districts. He also served 37 years at the U.S. Department
of Agriculture's Natural Resource Conservation Service, which benefited
from Mr. Winstead's profound knowledge on soil and water conservation.
Today, Jack is a consultant to the Mississippi Commissioner of
Agriculture and Commerce and is a board member for multiple
organizations.
As a Mississippi Air National Guard veteran, Jack has worked
tirelessly to advocate for and help other veterans in Mississippi. He
was instrumental in the 2007 founding of the Friends of Mississippi
Veterans, which set an initial goal of establishing a veterans
cemetery. Thanks to their leadership and hard work, our brave soldiers
can now be laid to rest in two beautiful, State-operated veterans
memorial cemeteries in Newton and Kilmichael. Mr. Winstead's work to
not only ensure our veterans have a respectful final resting place but
also to see to it that their families have a hallowed place to honor
their loved ones is truly laudable.
The Friends of Mississippi Veterans has become a crucial voice and
support organization for the veterans in my State, particularly those
residing in four veterans' nursing homes, where it offers assistance
for construction and improvements and helps cover expenses related to
the veterans cemeteries. It also actively promotes the Wreaths Across
America national program.
Mr. Winstead has time and time again stepped up as a leader in his
community. He has shown true commitment and passion for everything he
does, and for that, he has earned numerous special recognitions. In
2007, Jack was named to the Southeastern Association of Conservation
Districts' Hall of Fame. In 2008, Jack was recognized as Newton County
Citizen of the Year, and he was named East Central Community College's
Alumnus of the Year the following year.
In conclusion, I am so grateful for Mr. Jack Winstead's years of
service to Mississippi and for being able to consider him a dear
friend. I applaud him for his many accomplishments and commitment to
our veterans, and I commend him for the positive impact that is felt
throughout Mississippi thanks to his influence.