[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[House]
[Pages 24098-24099]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1915
                   TRIBUTE TO FOUR OF NEWARK'S FINEST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Kagen). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Payne) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I come to the 
House floor today.
  Over the August recess, four young, promising Newark, New Jersey 
residents were savagely gunned down execution style in a city 
playground while enjoying the last days of summer.
  On August 14, 2007, in my city of Newark, Terrance Aeriel, age 18, 
Dashon Harvey and Iofemi Hightower, both age 20, were senselessly 
murdered. Natasha Aeriel, age 19, is still recovering in the hospital.
  I stand here today to pay tribute to their lives. While three were 
cut short, were full of courage and determination and continue to 
inspire the residents of Newark.
  Active in their community, these youths stayed above the fray. 
Dashon, Iofemi and Natasha were avid music lovers and played in their 
Newark High School marching bands while they attended high school. 
Terrance, full of charisma, became an ordained minister at age 13.
  Their hard work paid off; all became students at Delaware State 
University. Natasha and Dashon were juniors, Terrance was a freshman, 
and Iofemi was about to begin classes.
  In a testament to how they lived their lives, Natasha, who has 
undergone many major surgeries and is still recuperating, provided the 
police with many key details that led to the apprehension of six 
suspects. Without her input, some of the suspects may have evaded 
capture. Her bravery and perseverance is an inspiration for others who, 
for various reasons, fail to speak up for what is right at times.
  While I know that their families and the community are going through 
a trying time, I hope they take comfort in the legacy that these four 
young adults had created. It can be said that this senseless crime cut 
short their promise, that their destinies went unfilled. I beg to 
differ. In the short time that they were alive, their lives epitomized 
consciousness, fortitude and dedication to family and friends. They 
have and will continue to serve as role models for the young and old in 
the city of Newark.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to recognize three lives that ended 
too

[[Page 24099]]

soon, and one that is still brimming with possibilities. Let us not 
remember Terrance Aeriel, Dashon Harvey and Iofemi Hightower for the 
senseless crime that took their lives, but for the lives that they led. 
As Natasha Aeriel continues to recover, I commend her for her bravery 
and conviction. I wish to convey my sorrow and condolences again to 
their families.

                          ____________________