[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 141 (Thursday, August 23, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING POSITIVE STREET ART

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize as the 
August Granite Staters of the Month the team behind Nashua's Positive 
Street Art for their work remembering those lost to substance use 
disorders and supporting those undergoing treatment.
  New Hampshire is one of the States that has been hardest hit by the 
fentanyl, heroin, and opioid epidemic. This epidemic has devastated 
communities across the Granite State, and far too many people have lost 
loved ones to substance use disorders. We must continue to honor the 
memories of those lost and continue to find ways to support individuals 
who are going through recovery. In Nashua, Positive Street Art is 
helping to remember those lost and support those on the road to 
recovery with a mural called ``Take Courage.''
  Since 2012, Positive Street Art has promoted the arts in Nashua 
through urban and public art projects, including murals, workshops, 
afterschool programs, and events like the Downtown Arts Festival. Their 
newest mural, ``Take Courage,'' has come together primarily through the 
efforts of artists Tom Lopez and Manuel Ramirez, as well as through the 
support of Ric Everhard, Alison Bankowski, and community volunteers 
Alyssa O'Mara, Victor Luce, Patrick Paraggio, Blake Bankowski, John 
Stein, Lance lsaksen, Paul Alvarez, Valerie Galvao, Ashley Young, and 
Jessica Ayala. The mural is meant to honor those community members who 
were lost to substance misuse and inspire those seeking recovery.
  When completed, the mural will bear an important and hopeful message 
for people in Nashua and across the Granite State who have been 
impacted by this horrific crisis: ``Take Courage. When the road is long 
you must never forget you are never alone.''
  In addition to their latest work, Positive Street Art has completed 
numerous other murals. These include the ``Hearts and Minds'' mural 
that honors our veterans, the ``Gratitude'' mural which reminds viewers 
to be thankful for the blessings in their daily lives, and the 
``Nostalgia'' mural which highlights the vintage theaters that used to 
occupy downtown Nashua. They have become beloved additions to the 
streets of the city.
  For their efforts to raise awareness and support those who have been 
impacted by substance use disorders, as well as their general work to 
support the arts in Nashua, I am proud to recognize the Positive Street 
Art team as the August Granite Staters of the Month.

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