[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1996]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING CHARLOTTE AUSTIN JORDAN

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. HOWARD P. ``BUCK'' McKEON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 9, 1997

  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, the National Crime Prevention Council and 
Ameritech have honored a constituent of mine, Charlotte Austin Jordan 
of Winnetka, CA, with the Ameritech Award of Excellence in Crime 
Prevention. Ms. Jordan is 1 of 8 winners selected from 140 nominations. 
Her work and perseverance deserves to be recognized.
  Charlotte Austin Jordan is not a stranger to adversity. In May 1988, 
her 13-year-old daughter was brutally murdered by gang members in a 
case of mistaken identity. Further, in 1996, her 24-year-old son was 
also murdered by gang members. The death of her first child prompted 
Ms. Jordan to volunteer at the California Youth Authority in impact of 
crime on victim's classes. This program provided a meeting place for 
victims of crime to confront juvenile offenders and to verbalize what 
effects crime had on their lives.
  Next, Ms. Jordan formed Save Our Future, a community-based nonprofit 
organization dedicated to educating, protecting, and empowering our 
youth. SOF provides many programs such as parenting, substance abuse, 
tutoring conflict resolution, and college and career development.
  As an innovator, she recognized the need for housing for paroled 
youth who are unable to return to their homes. She consequently 
developed Ja'mee's house to provide a structured environment for 
formerly incarcerated young men who have exhibited a willingness to 
change. She also became involved with Partnership for Change, a 
mentoring program for at-risk children ages 8 to 19 who have been 
paroled or are on probation.
  I would like to thank the National Crime Prevention Council and 
Ameritech for honoring Charlotte Austin Jordan with this award and 
applaud her dedication to helping individuals fight crime and build 
communities. Ms. Jordan knows all too well the firsthand experiences, 
her faith in the ability to reform offenders has never been shaken. I 
ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating this brave woman and 
hard-working individuals like her who make a difference in their 
communities.

                          ____________________