In Memory of Ronald ``kartoon'' Artwine
Floor Speech
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Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, Kartoon was a special human being. He could have been another unfortunate statistic in Watts but Kartoon was determined that his life could, and would, be better. He was also determined to be a change agent in his community, making the lives of others better as well. He helped negotiate the crucial gang truce between Bloods and Crips and would assist local residents find housing and get into rehab, changing their lives forever.
I first met Kartoon through his friend Greg Brown at Project Build, an important social services organization I helped found many years ago. Kartoon was a larger-than-life, grassroots community activist who always had a positive outlook, a contagious laugh and could ``spit a poem'' better than most. With the right assistance, he got his life together and became both a substance abuse counselor, a successful Hollywood location scout and a supportive father who dearly loved his entire family.
Kartoon left a lasting impression on everyone who met him. When attending an important community meeting or rally and blessing us with a poem, you knew Kartoon was in the room, and we were glad he was there.
Kartoon blessed us with poetry. Here is my poem to Kartoon: To the family & friends of my friend Kartoon I join with you today To honor and remember The very special one Known to everyone as Kartoon Kartoon our dear friend And loved one who has left us way too soon. Kartoon the Poet with The great big smile It seems Kartoon was Only with us for a short while Our Kartoon was well known By so many in Watts, And all over Los Angeles and many more He has left us to grieve and Wonder as he closed the door I suppose the heavenly one up above knows best But now its time to let Kartoon rest. Kartoon lived a life of Fun, woes, and uncertainty He experienced both the good and the bad times But he sure loved life and people of all kinds Oh Kartoon and how he laughed He was full of jokes, he bluffed and he played But he always stayed I have been wondering and thinking, Now how is Kartoon going to conduct himself up yonder But we really don't have to worry, speculate or ponder One thing we know for sure Kartoon will be the center of attention with his rhymes so pure Kartoon always showed up Whenever we called And he never missed he helped us all There is much more that I could say But I think Kartoon would say let's leave all of that for another day Goodbye goodbye, my dear Kartoon, Now it is your time to soar, to lift your wings It is your time to fly You go on and, on in your glory, And don't you look back I've told you why. You've got it! You are the man! You, go on up there, And give God a hand.
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