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Congressional Daily Record
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April 29, 2026
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Extensions of Remarks
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON
of mississippi
in the house of representatives
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I was saddened to learn of the passing of the phenomenal community leader, Mrs. Karen Sock, who spent decades advocating for cancer patients, students, and for a better South Mississippi.
Mrs. Karen Sock, born in Cleveland, Ohio, dedicated much of her life to public service and community uplift. She was a leader in a male- dominated field and led the way for women to reach the top at Coast Casino. In 1996, she became the Nation's first Black woman to lead a major casino company as a general manager at the original Harrah's Casino in Tunica. This paved the path for Mrs. Sock to open six casinos at various locations while she held leadership positions at other casinos, and effectively managed hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues for casino companies.
Later in life, Mrs. Sock co-founded Pathways2Possibilities (P2P), an interactive, hands-on, career exploration experience for 8th graders. Engaging, educating, and empowering students to seek out a variety of career opportunities with access to professionals and equipment. Since 2013, P2P has impacted over 124,000 8th graders and expanded their program to South Carolina and Tennessee.
Mrs. Sock was also a dedicated breast cancer survivor whose personal journey led her to become a passionate advocate for cancer awareness and support. She led local efforts in the fight against cancer through prevention, education, early detection, and survivorship as the appointed Coalition Chair of Mississippi Gulf Coast Region for the Mississippi Partnership for Comprehensive Cancer Control in 2025.
Mrs. Sock will be remembered for her unwavering commitment to service, her compassion for others, and the lasting impact she made on the lives of countless South Mississippi residents. In 2024 was awarded the annual John R. Blossman Humanitarian Award in recognition for P2P and her leadership during recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. She also received the Pat Santucci Spirit of the Coast Award in February 2026. Her legacy is reflected in the community she helped shape and the many individuals she inspired along the way.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the late Mrs. Karen Sock for her phenomenal leadership in the community and education.