[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 83 (Monday, May 16, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE SERVICE OF REVEREND JESSE TURNER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE WESTERMAN

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2022

  Mr. WESTERMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pine Bluff 
native, Reverend Jesse Turner. Reverend Turner is the President of the 
Pine Bluff Faith Community Coalition Ministerial Alliance and a staunch 
supporter and leader of the ``Pen or Pencil'' program, which promotes a 
national mentoring initiative to reach students in violence-prone 
areas.
  Reverend Turner's program has successfully served young adults whose 
circumstances have put them at risk for entry into the criminal justice 
system. Since 2005, the Pen or Pencil program is now in 12 states and 
15 locations. It has enhanced and expanded mentoring services for youth 
to choose the ``pencil'' for education rather than the ``pen'' for the 
penitentiary.
  Choosing education and a life committed to good when the community 
around you is suffering takes great courage, and it takes great 
leaders. Reverend Turner is such a leader in Pine Bluff, and all who 
have taken part in his ministry through the Alliance or through Pen or 
Pencil know that his work makes a difference.
  I thank Reverend Turner for the good work he has done for generations 
of Fourth District Arkansans.

                          ____________________