Ehrlich on Washington column, February 17, 2002

с MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Rood, Suit* 304 Lulhwvill*, Morylood 21093 315 Cannon Hous* Office Building Washington, D.C 205 1 5 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON Week of February 17, 2002 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Maryland’s True Pioneers - Today and Beyond As we all know, Maryland’s history is rich with citizens who helped shape our nation through civil rights advocacy, invention, the arts and education, and business enterprise. As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, I want to join President Bush in recognizing some notable figures in our community who are helping to make Maryland’s bright future a reality. Reverend Willie Armstrong is one such figure. Rev. Armstrong directs The Baltimore Child Development/Community Policing Program (CD/CP), a non-profit crisis invention program that serves children whose lives are impacted by violence. The program is a partnership between the Baltimore City Police Department-Eastern District, the Johns Hopkins Hospital East Baltimore Mental Health Partnership, and the East Baltimore Community. Its mission is to respond collaboratively to specific incidents of violence as they occur with an immediate goal of assisting children to heal and a broader goal of preventing the perpetuation of cycles of violence. Another is Sergeant Rick Hite from the Community Relations Section of the Baltimore City Police Department. Sgt. Hite is actively involved in the Community Policing component of the CD/CP. Both of these gentlemen have a special place in their hearts for children and they recognize that a correlation exists between violence and emotional and behavioral problems. I will be joining Sgt. Hite on his WOLB AM radio show in early March and I look forward to discussing those issues most important to the city. A third leader is Preston Taylor, III founded the Youth Initiative Training Program at the Malcolm X elementary school building in Baltimore. This is a vocational training and job- placement program that serves our region’s ex-offenders. What is most remarkable about this initiative is the level of commitment it has received from our local unions. Those children who go through this program are guaranteed employment with these unions even while they prepare for the GED exam.