[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 116 (Thursday, August 1, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1449-E1450]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SALUTE TO LIEUTENANT COLONEL NATHAN THOMAS

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                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 1, 1996

  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute Lt. Col. Nathan Thomas, 
a Minneapolis constituent and member of the Minnesota

[[Page E1450]]

Army National Guard, who was recently named a recipient of the Roy 
Wilkins Renown Service Award presented by the National Association for 
the Advancement of Colored People [NAACP] during its annual conference 
in Charlotte, NC.
  Colonel Thomas was cited by the NAACP for his accomplishments in the 
military on behalf of the African American community. During the past 
several years he has focused his efforts on recognizing the 
contributions and positive role of the African American soldier, and 
providing young people with alternatives to gang membership and violent 
behavior.
  Colonel Thomas has developed a video and teaching guide that traces 
the historical contributions of the brave and determined African 
American buffalo soldiers during the late 1800's. Using the buffalo 
soldiers as a cornerstone, he has founded a nonprofit corporation in 
the Minneapolis/St. Paul area that is committed to assisting at-risk 
children in developing self-respect and social survival skills.
  For the past 10 years, Colonel Thomas has spent part of his vacation-
time teaching photography and life-skills to inner-city, African 
American teenagers. He has even met with gang members to assist them in 
developing positive self-images and respectful views of other men and 
women.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today to recognize 
Lt. Col. Nathan Thomas. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating him for his contributions, and in wishing him success in 
all his future endeavors.

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