[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 177 (Thursday, November 9, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2148]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RETIREMENT OF BERNICE COLEMAN-LEWIS

                                 ______


                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 9, 1995

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to acknowledge the 
retirement of Mrs. Bernice Coleman-Lewis from the U.S. Customs Service. 
Bernice worked for the Customs Service for 25 years. She rose through 
the ranks from the position of clerk typist to ultimately become a 
customs liquidating officer at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
  During her tenure with Customs, Bernice was instrumental in helping 
to ensure that the National Treasury Employee Union [NTEU] became the 
union for Customs employees. She also became the executive vice 
president of the NTEU. Bernice was also a member of the Quality Circle 
in Customs. Always mindful of giving back to the community, Bernice 
participated in the Customs mentor program for inner city youth, and 
served 2 years as vice president of the Sentinel Society, Inc., a 
minority Government employee organization.
  Mrs. Lewis has also been active in community organizations, including 
the 835 Ocean Avenue Tenants Association. She served as the secretary 
of St. Catherine Chapter 758, for the order of the Eastern Star, and 
she became a member of Bridge Street A.M.E. Church of Brooklyn in 1994.
  Now that she has retired, Bernice is attending State University of 
New York [SUNY], in Old Westbury, and was accepted into the education 
program. Mrs. Coleman-Lewis aspires to teach in the Amityville school 
system on the elementary level.
  Bernice is a proud parent of four children, two girls, April And 
Raisa, and two sons, Ajene and Malik. She is also the long time 
companion of Nathaniel Lewis. It is my distinct pleasure and honor to 
introduce Mrs. Bernice Coleman-Lewis to my House colleagues.

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