[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 38 (Thursday, February 26, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





RECOGNIZING THE BLACK HERITAGE TRAIL OF NEW HAMPSHIRE FOR BLACK HISTORY 
                                 MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHRIS PAPPAS

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2026

  Mr. PAPPAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Black 
Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, in celebration of Black History Month.
  Originally founded in 1994, the Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail, 
which has since grown into the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, 
has fought to uncover and honor the often-overlooked Black history in 
the Granite State and southern Maine for more than 30 years.
  The mission of the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire is to 
promote awareness and appreciation of African American history and life 
in order to build more inclusive communities today. The Trail shares 
stories of prominent African American figures from New Hampshire and 
southern Maine, and since becoming a statewide organization in 2016, 
has expanded its outreach efforts through tours, educational public 
programs, partnerships with schools, and markers in more than seventeen 
cities and towns. More recently, the Trail has begun enhancing its 
efforts to foster more inclusive and informed communities through 
augmented experiences, the first of which was unveiled at the African 
Burying Ground Memorial Park in Portsmouth in 2025. This information 
will soon turn sites across the state into a veritable outdoor museum 
of African American history.
  Through events, discussions, conferences, publications, tours, and an 
ever-growing network of historical markers, the Trail provides 
opportunities for everyone in our state to learn these stories of 
encouragement and achievement. These experiences create a lasting 
impact as they highlight the critical role that African Americans have 
had in shaping our country. They help all of us to understand, 
confront, and overcome the challenges that we still face today in 
realizing the promise of our founding documents.
  As we recognize the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire, I also 
want to highlight the organization's Executive Director, JerriAnne 
Boggis. Taking up the mantle of Portsmouth Black Heritage Trail founder 
Valerie Cunningham, Ms. Boggis has worked not only to preserve NH's 
African American history but has relentlessly advocated for its central 
place in American history. In doing so, she is helping to shape a 
better future for all of us.
  The Black Heritage Trail helps confront the systemic racism, bias, 
and injustice that have festered in our country for too long. On behalf 
of my constituents in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District, I 
thank Ms. JerriAnne Boggis, her staff, and the tour guides, volunteers, 
board members, sponsors, and supporters of the Black Heritage Trail of 
New Hampshire for their commitment to bringing Black history to light 
and ensuring that these stories are never forgotten. I thank the Black 
Heritage Trail of New Hampshire for helping us learn about our history 
and working to create a stronger future for everyone.

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