April 19, 2016 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E529 assistant professor in 1988 and to full pro- Science and Technology Leaders. This pro- RECOGNIZING TRENT HARMON, fessor in 2010. He served as interim chief of gram was designed for high school students to 15TH AND FINAL WINNER OF the division from 1993 until his campaign to be recognized for their hard work in school, as ‘‘AMERICAN IDOL’’ make ophthalmology a stand-alone depart- well as to support their aspirations of working ment was successful in 2000. He was named in a science or technology field. The National HON. TRENT KELLY chair in the document ratifying creation of the Academy was founded by Richard Rossi and OF MISSISSIPPI Department of Ophthalmology by the Howard Dr. Robert Darling; Mr. Rossi currently serves IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES University Board of Trustees. as president. The Congress is being held at Tuesday, April 19, 2016 Dr. Copeland wrote multiple papers on cor- the Tsongas Center at the University of Mas- neal and external diseases, uveitis, and other sachusetts, Lowell from June 29th through Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, April diseases of the eye. His research focused on July 1st. Arnya was selected by a group of 7, 2016, was an exciting night for Mississip- conditions affecting the eye, as well as the so- educators to be a delegate for the Congress pians, as we were represented by gifted vocal- cioeconomic and gender disparities in cataract thanks to his dedication to his academic suc- ists, Trent Harmon, of Amory, and La’Porsha surgery, including factors such as insurance cess and goals of pursuing science or tech- Renae, of McComb, the final two contestants coverage, transportation, and other barriers to nology. We are proud of Arnya and all of his during the farewell season of ‘‘American Idol.’’ access. hard work, and know he will make Pearland While Trent was ultimately victorious, he and In 2012, in conjunction with a Duke Univer- proud. La’Porsha have bright futures ahead of them sity professor, Dr. Copeland published and made Mississippi proud. Copeland and Afshari’s Principles and Prac- On behalf of the Twenty-Second Congres- Born and raised in the First District of Mis- tice of Cornea, a definitive textbook on the sional District of Texas, congratulations again sissippi, I was inspired by Trent’s faith in God, cornea. The two-volume work is over 1,500 to Arnya for being accepted into the National hard work ethic, and humility. During the proc- pages long, includes 119 chapters, and Academy of Future Scientists and Tech- ess, Trent was diagnosed with mononucleosis weighs over 14 pounds. Dr. Copeland also nologists. Keep up the great work. and was given the option to quit the show. traveled throughout the world to perform hu- Thankfully, Trent’s hard work and determina- manitarian services for underserved popu- f tion allowed him to compete and overcome lations. He served the people of Haiti, Saint the illness. Lucia, Ghana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Chile, Liberia, CELEBRATING THE 275TH ANNI- Throughout the season, Trent was proud of Nigeria, and India. VERSARY OF THE CITY OF his state and his state was proud of him. This Over the years, Dr. Copeland’s work drew BETHLEHEM was on display during the hometown parade numerous awards and accolades. He was fre- and concert. Thousands of fans flocked to the quently honored by the American Academy of parade in downtown Amory wearing blue and Ophthalmology, garnering the Distinguished HON. CHARLES W. DENT white ‘‘Team Trent’’ shirts, businesses had Service Award, Achievement Award, Council OF PENNSYLVANIA ‘‘Vote for Trent’’ signs in their windows, and of Appreciation Award, Surgery by Surgeons fans crowded Amory High School to watch Award, and the Secretariat Award. He was fre- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Trent perform. This is what is special about quently listed as a ‘‘top doctor’’ in major publi- Tuesday, April 19, 2016 Mississippi. People are proud of where they cations. In 2008, Dr. Copeland received the come from and are happy to see each other Professional Service Award from the Preven- Mr. DENT. Mr. Speaker, in 1741, 275 years succeed. tion of Blindness Society of Metropolitan ago, a small group of Moravian settlers found- Most importantly, Trent had the love and Washington, and in 2013, he garnered an ed a community along the banks of the support of his family. He discussed working on Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society Monocacy Creek in an area about 60 miles his family farm and restaurant and the need to nomination. At Howard University, Dr. north of Philadelphia. leave in order to find success in the music in- Copeland was honored at the Ninth Annual dustry. Even though he had to leave Amory, Spirituality and Medicine Seminar in 2005—he In recognition of their faith—and in the hope his family, community, and state continued to was a member of Washington’s historic Shiloh that they were establishing a community that support his dream. I congratulate Trent on his Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. How- would stand the test of time—they named their success and wish him the best in his future ard also honored Dr. Copeland with a Citation settlement Bethlehem. career. of Achievement Award in 2008. These Moravian settlers chose an excellent f Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues site for their settlement. Bethlehem quickly ESSAY BY JILLIAN SABOE to join me in remembering this barrier-break- grew to become an important hub for com- ing physician. Dr. Copeland was a leader in merce, industry and learning. It remains so to ophthalmology who used his expertise to help this day, and continues to evolve with the HON. PETE OLSON the underserved. His wisdom and compassion times while still retaining strong ties to its her- OF TEXAS will be sorely missed, but his contributions will itage and founders. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES live on through all those who learned from Bethlehem also remains a rich melting pot Tuesday, April 19, 2016 him. and serves as a shining example for other cit- f Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to ies. Many of its citizens share a connection to interact with some of the brightest students in NATIONAL ACADEMY OF FUTURE the former Bethlehem Steel plant, which was the 22nd Congressional District who serve on SCIENTISTS AND TECHNOLO- once the number two steel producer in the my Congressional Youth Advisory Council. I GISTS—ARNYA ARORA United States. While time and circumstances have gained much by listening to the high resulted in Bethlehem Steel’s closure, the peo- school students who are the future of this HON. PETE OLSON ple of Bethlehem have proven themselves to great nation. They provide important insight OF TEXAS be as resilient and strong as the steel they from across the political spectrum that sheds IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES forged. The City has continued to prosper, and a light on the concerns of our younger con- it consistently appears on lists of the best stituents. Giving voice to their priorities will Tuesday, April 19, 2016 places to live in the country. hopefully instill a better sense of the impor- Mr. OLSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to Now with a population over 75,000, a diver- tance of being an active participant in the po- congratulate Arnya Arora from Pearland, TX sified industrial base, and a unique blend of litical process. Many of the students have writ- for being accepted into the National Academy ten short essays on a variety of topics and I culture and commerce, Bethlehem is cele- of Future Scientists and Technologists to rep- am pleased to share them with my House col- brating its 275th Anniversary. resent the state of Texas at the Congress of leagues. Future Science and Technology leaders. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to serve Jillian Saboe attends Pearland High School Arnya attends Manvel High School and is and represent the people of Bethlehem, and I in Pearland, Texas. The essay topic is: What one of 13 high school honor students selected offer them my sincerest congratulations on makes the political process in Congress so from the Twenty-Second Congressional Dis- their numerous achievements over the course challenging? trict of Texas. These students were selected of their city’s long and storied past. May their In recent decades, many political sci- as Texas delegates at the Congress of Future city long continue to grow and to prosper. entists as well as ordinary people of the

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