NATCHEZ &045; U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson told members of the Natchez Business and Civic League at Friday night’s 30th annual banquet to take pride in their community and continue to spend money at home.

Thompson, from the second congressional district, was the keynote speaker for the event and reminded the several hundred in attendance to remain true to their beginnings.

&uot;What you have to do is instill pride in what you are doing as a community,&uot; Thompson said. &uot;If you spend money, it turns over six or seven times in the community. It makes a difference.&uot;

Thompson also told the crowd to spend time teaching their youth, even if they seemed far different.

&uot;If you are working with young people don’t try to bring them up to where you are, you need to reach back to where they are.&uot;

He also stressed having frequent contact with legislators and elected officials in Jackson and Washington.

&uot;Every chance you get to talk to the legislators and call the governor’s office, give them a piece of your mind. As an organization you have to lobby for what you think is right.&uot;

Thompson criticized President Bush’s plans for social security, healthcare and the budget and encouraged the audience to stay active in all these issues.

&uot;What we have in Washington is an opportunity, but we need your help,&uot; he said.

Thompson said he was using his role as the leading democrat on homeland security to bring money back to the small businesses. He said he was interested in using small town contractors to do national projects and keep the country safe.

NBCL President Michael Winn thanked Thompson for offering such support to small businesses and always being willing to listen.

&uot;If you are in business you need this kind of support,&uot; Winn said. &uot;We need one another. No one of us is as strong as all of us strung together.&uot;

The NBCL also gave out several awards during the banquet including:

4 Youth awards &045; Natchez High School students, Stephanie Carter, Chelsea Hall and Ashleigh Irving

4 Civic award &045; Ruby Gaylor, who works with the Salvation Army, pushes voter registration and is a former teacher

4 Woman of the year &045; Rosa Demby, principal of Holy Family Catholic School

4 Man of the year &045; Abram Dunbar

4 President’s awards &045; Linda Nelson, Georgia Oliver, Edward Brown and Thelma Latham