[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 109 (Wednesday, July 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1370]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE TO NATIONAL JROTC INSTRUCTOR OF THE YEAR JUSTIN BLUM

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 20, 2011

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one of my 
constituents, Justin Blum, of Florence, South Carolina. Lt. Col. Blum 
has been selected as the 2011-2012 National JROTC Instructor of the 
Year by the United States Army Cadet Command. It was because of Lt. 
Col. Blum's distinguished work and long history with the JROTC that he 
was bestowed this great honor.
  JROTC is a citizenship program devoted to the moral, physical and 
educational uplift of American youth. Originally the JROTC was a source 
of enlisting recruits and officer candidates into the United States 
Military. It has now shed some of its early military content, but the 
program has retained its military structure and the resultant ability 
to infuse in its student cadets a sense of discipline and order. Lt. 
Col. Blum has been with the JROTC for 16 years now, following his 21 
year tenure in the United States Army before retiring with the rank of 
Lieutenant Colonel.
  During his time with United States Army, protecting our country, he 
was also fighting another battle. Lt. Col. Blum was fighting ulcerative 
colitis and a diagnosis of early stage colon cancer. He did not let 
this deter him in life. Being the resolute person that Mr. Blum is, 
there was no doubt in his mind that he would be able to return to a 
full schedule. After the surgery, Lt. Col. Blum, used his struggle to 
inform others that no matter what you are hit with, you can overcome if 
you put your mind to it.
  Lt. Col. Blum is the recipient of the 2011 Tony Snow Public Service 
Award, presented by the Great Comebacks Program. This program raises 
awareness of quality of life issues for people with Crohn's disease, 
ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer and other diseases that can lead 
to ostomy surgery. Since receiving this award Mr. Blum has continued to 
work hard and his determination is shown again through being selected 
as the 2011-2012 JROTC National Instructor of the year. This is the 
second time Mr. Blum has received the JROTC National Instructor of the 
year award, also receiving the award in 2003. Being a two-time 
recipient, demonstrates his commitment and dedication to the JROTC, a 
program which is near and dear to my heart as a former educator and the 
grandfather of a JROTC student.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to take the time and get to know 
JROTC instructors, like Lt. Col. Blum. Their devotion to uplifting 
American youth is worth our time and help. These instructors motto is, 
``Instruct Young People to be Better Citizens.'' With this dictum we 
see the uplifting manner of the JROTC and why the instructors are such 
an influential part of America's youth. Please join me in 
congratulating Lt. Col. Justin Blum of Florence, S.C. for being chosen 
as a the JROTC National Instructor of the year from a group of amazing 
individuals who are changing the lives of scores of young people every 
day.

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