[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 15 (Wednesday, January 25, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 TRIBUTE TO JONATHAN COHEN, SUBWAY HERO

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                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 25, 1995
  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Jonathan Cohen, a 
brave young African American whose quick and selfless action prevented 
a fleeing suspect from escaping a tragic subway murder early this 
month.
  Jonathan Cohen lived in the Bronx until he was 10 and attended P.S. 
48 in my Congressional District. He was descending the escalator to the 
platform at the 34th Street station on January 4 when he saw a man push 
an elderly woman into the path of an oncoming subway train. While the 
other onlookers froze, Mr. Cohen had the presence of mind to follow the 
man he saw commit the crime, call out to others to call the police, and 
then grab and hold the suspect when he reached the token booth.
  Mr. Speaker, when teachers at P.S. 48 read about this incident, they 
recalled the young boy named Jonathan Cohen who had attended their 
school 20 years ago. After doing some checking, they were able to 
ascertain that the hero of January 4 was a grown-up version of the boy 
they remembered.
  Mr. Speaker, on Friday, February 17, P.S. 48 will hold a Black 
History Month program. The annual theme of this year's celebration, 
which had been established well in advance of the events of January 4, 
is ``Growing Better Citizens.'' How fitting it is, Mr. Speaker, that 
Jonathan Cohen, who has grown into such an outstanding citizen, will 
speak at this event.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me and the P.S. 48 community 
in priase of Jonathan Cohen for the shining example he sets for all 
Americans.


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