[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 60 (Thursday, April 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E969]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


A TRIBUTE TO ROOT, INC. FOUNDER KENNETH E. BARNES, SR. IN PRAISE OF HIS 
 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AWARD FOR HIS DEDICATED ADVOCACY ON BEHALF 
                          OF VICTIMS OF CRIME

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                           HON. BOBBY L. RUSH

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 2009

  Mr. RUSH. Madam Speaker, today I would like to recognize an 
outstanding American who has worked tirelessly to stem the tide of 
youth violence that has gripped many communities in our country. 
Kenneth E. Barnes, Sr., M.S., attended Loyola College in Maryland and, 
while working towards his doctoral degree, tragedy of the worst kind 
struck--his son, Kenneth Barnes, Jr., was murdered. Rather than do 
nothing, Mr. Barnes established the organization Reaching Out to Others 
Together Inc., or ROOT, Inc.
  ROOT, Inc. is a non-profit organization committed to advocacy, 
education and intervention on behalf of victims of gun violence and 
their families. ROOT, Inc.'s mission is to motivate and mobilize 
communities to take a proactive approach in reducing homicides as well 
as the senseless gun violence and youth violence that plague cities 
throughout America. Mr. Barnes has conducted workshops and seminars, 
locally and nationally, as well as testified on numerous occasions 
before the D.C. City Council. Mr. Barnes has also worked with my office 
and played an instrumental role in helping me to draft the Communities 
in Action Neighborhood Defense and Opportunity Bill, or CAN DO bill, 
which also addresses the issue of gun violence through a community-
based comprehensive approach to the problem.
  Madam Speaker, each April since 1981, the Office for Victims of Crime 
within the U.S. Department of Justice has helped lead communities 
throughout the nation in their observances of National Crime Victims' 
Rights Week. Rallies, candlelight vigils, and a host of commemorative 
activities are held each year to promote victims' rights and to honor 
crime victims and those who advocate on their behalf.
  This year, Kenny Barnes has been nominated by the United States 
Department of Justice Office of Victim Services to receive the National 
Service Award for his work on behalf of victims of crime and he will 
receive this prestigious award on April 24, 2009. This is a great honor 
being bestowed upon a great man and I would like to congratulate Mr. 
Barnes for his commitment and dedication to an issue that is so dear to 
my heart and the hearts of millions of others throughout our nation.

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