February 1, 2017 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E121 those ups and downs. I also thank God that them he’d see them in the morning and that past, present, and future of the African Amer- it is not my place to judge her if she felt that he loved them. He didn’t text or call them ican community. As Americans, we come to- she was doing her best. Jesus said, ‘‘Judge that evening. gether to commend the many educators, writ- not, and you will not be judged, condemn The dreaded call came at 4:21 a.m. from the ers, and mentors who have worked so dili- not, and you will not be condemned, forgive, friend Trenton was living with. The friend and you will be forgiven.’’ (Luke 6:37) Be- began with: ‘‘I think you need to come out gently to improve educational opportunities for cause one’s behavior toward others often here!’’ Trenton’s mother asked him what was African American students throughout the ends up being paid back in kind—and some- wrong and he replied, ‘‘I think Trent’s over- country, but we must acknowledge that there times even to a greater degree—Jesus con- dosing!’’ His mother hung up the phone im- is still much more progress to be made. tinued to urge His disciples to be tolerant. In mediately, jumped out of bed screaming. Throughout American history, the unfortu- particular, Jesus prohibits condemning oth- They got into their car and drove as fast as nate reality is that there have been racial bar- ers and commends forgiveness. they could. riers to equal education. The crisis in black I remember Amber as that little girl who They arrived at the friend’s home in a mat- education began during the era of slavery would run and jump on my lap in happiness ter of minutes. The police and the ambulance when it was against the law for slaves to learn and run to me when she was afraid. There were already there. They were met by an of- were the play-in-the-dirt clothes and pretty ficer on the porch of the house. It was too how to read and write. Before the Civil War, girl dresses; dance lessons, softball games, late. Trenton was dead. free blacks in northern cities had to walk long and taekwondo; pierced ears, nose, lip, etc; The authorities believe Trenton received distances to attend the one school regulated curly hair, braided hair, and straight hair; what they call a ‘‘hot load’’: heroin laced solely for African American students, while this tennis shoes and high heels; Disney movies with fentanyl. limitation did not exist for white children. By and The Nightmare Before Christmas; school That same weekend, over 75 overdoses were 1910, segregation was established throughout and church; and so on and so on and so on. reported in Ohio. The heroin was laced with the south. African American schools were of Pick any of them or add your own. Some of elephant tranquilizers. lower quality and received less government them I didn’t like at the time but I’m going ‘‘This has been the worse pain we ever funding per student than in white schools. Dur- to miss every single one. I have a lot of felt,’’ writes Trenton’s mother. ‘‘Nothing or memories and no one can take them away. no one can ever bring our son back. Our ing the Civil Rights Movement, significant Amber has been immortalized in my heart grandson is going to grow up without his fa- steps toward positive change were made, in- and those memories will remain. I’m sure all ther.’’ cluding the Supreme Court case of Brown vs. of you have fond memories of Amber that f Board of Education, which outlawed seg- you will hold on to. regated school facilities for black and white Amber believed in God and I believe that JEFFERSON CENTER FOR MENTAL students at the state level. The Civil Rights Jesus has welcomed her into Heaven where HEALTH Act of 1964 ended state and local laws requir- she will spend eternity. Amber no longer has to deal with the pain associated with mor- ing segregation. tality. I have faith that I will see her again HON. ED PERLMUTTER Today, many African American youth remain exposed to public school systems where re- and that she will be there to welcome me OF COLORADO sources are limited, overcrowding occurs, and into eternity. I will miss her dearly but I can IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES now think of her as an angel that is looking a glaring racial achievement gap is evident, over me and she will look out for me when I Wednesday, February 1, 2017 especially in urban areas. As Americans, we need help. I love you Amber and I always Mr. PERLMUTTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise must continue to work together to resolve the will. today to recognize and applaud the Jefferson crisis in black education as it is, without a TRENTON MUNN—IONIA, MICHIGAN Center for Mental Health for being honored by doubt, one of the most critical issues facing Trenton Munn, died August 21, 2016, from the Arvada Chamber of Commerce as the our communities. an accidental heroin overdose. He was 31 This month and always, it is important that years old. Non-Profit of the Year. Trenton suffered from drug addiction since To be honored as the Non-Profit of the Year we honor and celebrate America’s greatest his late teen years. He fast became addicted by the Arvada Chamber, a non-profit must advocates for equal rights and civil liberties. to Oxycontin, and when that became hard to show how they support Arvada through their Along with this month’s theme, we honor come by, he turned to heroin. It was a cheap- programs, services and involvement. These those who have fought for equal educational er, easier to find alternative. non-profits are known for their ingenuity and opportunities for African Americans, including When his son, Harley was born in May 2012, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, Cor- Trenton tried to quit cold turkey. He wanted innovation to overcome challenges as well as their active and effective work with the local nell West, Maxine Smith, Carlotta Walls La- to get clean for his son. Trenton also suf- Nier, Joe Lewis Clark, Fannie Jackson fered from anxiety and depression. During business community. the past four years Trenton tried repeatedly The Jefferson Center for Mental Health is Coppin, and Alexander Crummell, among to get off heroin. one of these non-profits. As a community many others. As we pay tribute to these he- This past March his family discovered that mental health center that looks to inspire hope roes of American history, let us remember Trenton had advanced to shooting up heroin. and improve the lives of the members of their their profound perseverance, sacrifice, and Even though he had said he would not stick community, their incredible work and innova- struggle in the fight for freedom and equality, a needle in his veins. and the remarkable impact their contributions After many failed attempts in treatment, tive approach has helped to serve those in our with everyone telling us we had to do tough community who often have nowhere else to have had in shaping our great nation. love, we decided to remove Trenton from our turn. In addition to receiving this recognition, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distin- home. It broke his familys hearts having to Jefferson Center for Mental Health has also guished colleagues join me in celebrating put their child out on the streets. been named a Top Workplace for four straight Black History Month and honoring those who Trenton was then taken in by a friend. The years by the Denver Post. fought, and continue to fight, for civil rights friend promised he didn’t condone heroin and I extend my deepest congratulations to the and justice. We honor the African American there’d be none of it in his home. educators, scholars, and supporters of edu- Throughout this past summer, Trenton Jefferson Center for Mental Health for this would come to his family’s home for his pa- well-deserved recognition by the Arvada cational equality, who have played such a crit- rental visits with his son. Since his son’s Chamber of Commerce. ical role in changing the landscape of Amer- ican society for the better. As we reflect on the mother had gotten in trouble with the law, f Trenton was given full custody of Harley. state of black education, let us never forget Trenton also had just began a new job, was RECOGNIZING BLACK HISTORY the struggle of our predecessors while remem- looking healthier and had gained some MONTH bering that there is still much work to be done. weight. His family thought he was kicking f his addiction. Things were looking up. Due to Trenton not having a car, his par- HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY HONORING THE SERVICE OF WIN ents were driving him to and from work. The OF INDIANA AND POLLY BELANGER last day they saw their son was Saturday, IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES August 20, 2016. They picked him up from work at 4:00 p.m., as usual. Nothing really Wednesday, February 1, 2017 HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK OF NEW YORK seemed out of the ordinary, other than Tren- Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with ton not asking what his mother was making IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES great respect that I rise today to celebrate for supper. He normally would come have Wednesday, February 1, 2017 dinner with his family. Black History Month and its 2017 theme—The When his parents arrived at the friend’s Crisis in Black Education. This year’s theme Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to house where Trenton was living, he told reflects on the crucial role of education in the honor and recognize Win and Polly Belanger

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