[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 131 (Thursday, August 1, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO ERIK BECKER

 Ms. HASSAN. Mr. President, I am proud to recognize Erik Becker 
of Lancaster, NH, as August's Granite Stater of the Month for his 
dedication to improving the community he grew up in and for lending 
support to those in need.
  As the Student Assistance Program coordinator at Groveton High 
School--the very same high school that he graduated from--Erik sees 
firsthand how important it is to ensure that students have both 
emotional and material support throughout the year, not just during the 
school months.
  During the summer, kids usually lose the relationship that they have 
formed with teachers during the school year. To prevent his 
relationships from weakening during the summer, Erik spends 15 hours a 
week at the school helping to distribute free lunches to kids in need, 
while also acting as a ``big brother'' for students who just need 
someone to talk to.
  Erik also works at the community homeless shelter, Tyler Blaine 
House. He started out as a support staff member but moved his way up to 
a full-time case manager position to help individuals seeking to break 
the cycle of homelessness and get back on their feet.
  In addition, Erik is the founder of the Black Crow Project, which he 
and a few friends founded after seeing how the substance misuse 
epidemic had negatively affected their community. The Black Crow 
Project seeks to act as a support system for those impacted by 
substance abuse. Right now, the group is working to revitalize the 
Lancaster/Groveton Crowalition, a community coalition that provides 
support, training, and guidance to individuals suffering from 
addiction. In 2016, the group also helped put on one of the largest 
Narcan kit distribution/awareness events in New Hampshire.
  One of Erik's favorite projects as part of his work with the Black 
Crow Project is the Small Town Loud Fest, an annual event that brings 
people of all ages together to combat substance misuse, all while 
listening to area bands in a substance-free space.
  To top off all of this community involvement, Erik also acts as a 
recovery coach for those battling addiction.
  In New Hampshire, we have a tradition and ethos of seizing the 
initiative in order to make a difference, and Erik's activism and 
engagement exemplifies what it means to be a Granite Stater. His 
passion and dedication to improving the lives of the people who he grew 
up with is making a difference and will spur and enable others to do 
the same. New Hampshire is lucky to have him.

                          ____________________