Officer Harry Dunn, a 13-year veteran of the Capitol Police Department and a real-life hero in a world that gives out the title to so many who don’t truly represent the ideals that come with the distinction, stood before a packed room at the annual gala of the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey on Thursday night and spoke the truth.


He said he wished he weren’t there.


Dunn told the crowd he was humbled and honored to receive the Gus Heningburg Award, which goes to someone who has gone above and beyond. He told the crowd he was honored to be awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the Presidential Citizens Medal and a host of other awards for his actions during the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the Capitol.


“And, if I had it my way,” he said. “I would trade it all in so that (Jan. 6) never happened — and nobody knew who I was.”


Dunn, who testified before the Jan. 6 committee, is a hero for the actions he — and his fellow law enforcement officers — took that day. A day in which seemingly ordinary citizens revealed their true selves with an extraordinary sense of duty, valor and courage.


They raised the bar for what should be expected of all of us — Black, white and everywhere in between.


Honoring someone such as Dunn is a distinction that sets the African American Chamber gala apart from others. It not only recognizes key leaders in the state; it lauds figures in the Black community across the country who are making true impact.



They are “Raising the Bar” — the theme of the night.


People such as Ken Bentley, a former Nestle executive who is now the CEO of the Advocates Professional Golf Association — a tour that is not as recognized as some of the others, but one that is having real impact in the lives and careers of golfers of color, on and off the course


“We’re really about making dreams come true,” he told the crowd. “These guys have always dreamed of making it to the PGA Tour. Our job is to give them the tools to be successful — and we’ve had amazing success.”

Click here to Read Full Article on ROI NJ.com
Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  Twitter  YouTube