[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 62 (Wednesday, April 18, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E779]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RAHEEM CARTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2007

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a 
remarkable individual and policeman, Raheem Carter. After a bout with 
cancer, died this past Friday while serving in the New London Police 
Department within my constituency in Connecticut.
  Mr. Carter was a leader in the Groton/New London community. Carter 
was the starting quarterback for three years at Fitch High School, and 
he also captained the track team. An extraordinary athlete, Carter set 
the career touchdown passing record in the Eastern Connecticut 
Conference. He shined as a field general, and in 1999, alongside his 
twin brother Rashaad, he led Fitch to its first championship in over 23 
years.
  Carter not only prospered on the field, but he surmounted obstacles 
off the field too, Despite growing up in a challenging neighborhood, 
Carter excelled in school, following the guidance of his mother who 
raised three children on her own. Carter attended Central Connecticut 
University until he received a full scholarship to attend the 
University of Rhode Island, where he graduated in 2005 with a 
bachelor's degree in sociology.
  From there, Carter went on to attend Connecticut State Police 
Academy. It was there in December 2005 when a tumor was found in his 
abdomen. Due to his illness, Carter spent the majority of his first 
year as a police officer treating his cancer with chemotherapy. Known 
for his incredible strength, Carter was able to temporarily beat the 
disease securing enough time to train under New London Police Lt. 
Margaret Ackley.
  Carter was known as a ``gentle soul and courageous spirit'' with 
``more heart for the job than anyone Lt. Ackley had ever seen.'' He was 
a leader throughout his community seen as ``someone who cared more 
about others than about himself.'' Johnny L. Burns, pastor of his 
church, described him as ``an exceptional man in every aspect of the 
word who in the 25 years he lived touched so many lives.
  Today I would like to pay tribute to the life and legacy of Mr. 
Raheem Carter. He will be greatly missed by everyone whose lives he 
touched.

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