[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 117 (Thursday, June 25, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO GLENDA SHRUM

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2020

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Glenda Shrum, one of Eastern Kentucky's earliest activists against the 
region's deadly drug abuse epidemic. As Glenda retires, I want to 
commend her for dedicating 16 years of service as Program Supervisor 
for the Knott and Magoffin County Drug Court Program, plus nearly 27 
years of service as Administrator of the Knott County Health 
Department. Her leadership and courage of conviction has helped save 
lives in Eastern Kentucky.
  In 2003, I launched Operation UNITE to combat the opioid crisis in 
Kentucky's Fifth Congressional District, utilizing a holistic approach 
through law enforcement investigations, treatment and education. One of 
the first people who joined our grassroots movement was Glenda Shrum. 
In fact, she had already formed the Knott Drug Abuse Council in 2002 
with grant funding support, and she quickly became a trusted advisor 
for UNITE regarding community and family needs in and beyond the 
borders of Knott County. I distinctly remember Glenda presenting us 
with results of a local study that overwhelmingly validated our joint 
cause to combat drug abuse. The study revealed more than 50 percent of 
students in Knott County were living in homes without either parent as 
a result of drug overdose deaths, incarceration for a drug-related 
crime, or losing custody as a result of substance abuse. Later in life, 
Glenda personally experienced the reality of this statistic when she 
became the guardian of a young great-niece and nephew. However, it 
wasn't the first time that Glenda personally felt the impact of 
substance abuse within her family; the first came at the age of 9, when 
her father was tragically killed by a drunk driver. When you examine 
her life experiences, Glenda's courage of conviction and passion to 
drive out the stigma surrounding substance abuse is abundantly clear.
  Through the Drug Court Program, Glenda has actively created local 
partnerships with employers who are willing to give graduates a second 
chance job opportunity. Others have found purpose and hope through the 
Appalachian Artisan Center where they are learning unique skills in 
pottery, blacksmithing and luthiery. She has also actively created 
educational programs for the entire family in hopes of reuniting and 
repairing relationships that suffered extensive damage prior to 
recovery. Glenda's work has not only helped save lives in Southern and 
Eastern Kentucky, but has helped rebuild families, and the local 
workforce where these individuals in recovery are now thriving.
  In addition to a career centered around helping others, Glenda 
volunteers her spare time with the Knott County Drug Abuse Council, 
which was one of the very first organizations of its kind in the 
Appalachian region. As chairwoman since inception, Glenda has led 
community-wide events, including the annual Dad's Day Out at Carr Creek 
Lake in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Project 
Grad, a drug-free after-prom event; free Christmas gifts for children 
in need during the holidays; and school supplies for children impacted 
by the opioid epidemic.
  Had it not been for individuals, like Glenda Shrum, pounding the 
pavement for hope and change nearly 20 years ago, I fear what our 
communities would look like today. When others were hiding addiction 
problems and sweeping them under the rug, leaders like Glenda marched 
through our hills and hollows to help us raise awareness and spread a 
message of hope. It has been an honor to work with Glenda over the 
years and I personally appreciate her close interaction with our team 
at Operation UNITE, which now serves as a national model of success.
  I want to wish Glenda many wonderful years of retirement with her 
family. She should rest easy knowing the countless individuals that she 
has empowered and inspired to make life changing decisions over the 
years. Her legacy will long be seen in the children that are now 
growing up to lead the way and continue the work she started some two 
decades ago. May God bless Glenda and her family for her incredible 
love she has shown to the people of Eastern Kentucky.

                          ____________________