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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO GLENDA SHRUM
______
HON. HAROLD ROGERS
of kentucky
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to
Glenda Shrum, one of Eastern Kentucky's earliest activists against the
region's deadly drug abuse epidemic. As Glenda retires, I want to
commend her for dedicating 16 years of service as Program Supervisor
for the Knott and Magoffin County Drug Court Program, plus nearly 27
years of service as Administrator of the Knott County Health
Department. Her leadership and courage of conviction has helped save
lives in Eastern Kentucky.
In 2003, I launched Operation UNITE to combat the opioid crisis in
Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, utilizing a holistic approach
through law enforcement investigations, treatment and education. One of
the first people who joined our grassroots movement was Glenda Shrum.
In fact, she had already formed the Knott Drug Abuse Council in 2002
with grant funding support, and she quickly became a trusted advisor
for UNITE regarding community and family needs in and beyond the
borders of Knott County. I distinctly remember Glenda presenting us
with results of a local study that overwhelmingly validated our joint
cause to combat drug abuse. The study revealed more than 50 percent of
students in Knott County were living in homes without either parent as
a result of drug overdose deaths, incarceration for a drug-related
crime, or losing custody as a result of substance abuse. Later in life,
Glenda personally experienced the reality of this statistic when she
became the guardian of a young great-niece and nephew. However, it
wasn't the first time that Glenda personally felt the impact of
substance abuse within her family; the first came at the age of 9, when
her father was tragically killed by a drunk driver. When you examine
her life experiences, Glenda's courage of conviction and passion to
drive out the stigma surrounding substance abuse is abundantly clear.
Through the Drug Court Program, Glenda has actively created local
partnerships with employers who are willing to give graduates a second
chance job opportunity. Others have found purpose and hope through the
Appalachian Artisan Center where they are learning unique skills in
pottery, blacksmithing and luthiery. She has also actively created
educational programs for the entire family in hopes of reuniting and
repairing relationships that suffered extensive damage prior to
recovery. Glenda's work has not only helped save lives in Southern and
Eastern Kentucky, but has helped rebuild families, and the local
workforce where these individuals in recovery are now thriving.
In addition to a career centered around helping others, Glenda
volunteers her spare time with the Knott County Drug Abuse Council,
which was one of the very first organizations of its kind in the
Appalachian region. As chairwoman since inception, Glenda has led
community-wide events, including the annual Dad's Day Out at Carr Creek
Lake in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Project
Grad, a drug-free after-prom event; free Christmas gifts for children
in need during the holidays; and school supplies for children impacted
by the opioid epidemic.
Had it not been for individuals, like Glenda Shrum, pounding the
pavement for hope and change nearly 20 years ago, I fear what our
communities would look like today. When others were hiding addiction
problems and sweeping them under the rug, leaders like Glenda marched
through our hills and hollows to help us raise awareness and spread a
message of hope. It has been an honor to work with Glenda over the
years and I personally appreciate her close interaction with our team
at Operation UNITE, which now serves as a national model of success.
I want to wish Glenda many wonderful years of retirement with her
family. She should rest easy knowing the countless individuals that she
has empowered and inspired to make life changing decisions over the
years. Her legacy will long be seen in the children that are now
growing up to lead the way and continue the work she started some two
decades ago. May God bless Glenda and her family for her incredible
love she has shown to the people of Eastern Kentucky.
____________________
