[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO TYREE COLEMAN, FROM INDIANAPOLIS, IN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JULIA CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Ms. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to announce that Mr. Tyree 
Coleman, from Indianapolis, IN has been honored with the Ameritech 
Award for Excellence in Crime Prevention. The National Crime Prevention 
Council and Ameritech selected Mr. Coleman from over 140 nominations. 
Mr. Coleman has proven that he is wise beyond his years through his 
leadership, insight, empathy for others, and pioneering efforts.
  Mr. Coleman was only 6 years old when he recognized the lack of 
constructive programs that were available at the Clearstream Gardens 
Public Housing Community in Indianapolis. Instead of participating in 
delinquent activities, Mr. Coleman and his peers walked through the 
community with poster board signs advocating for positive activity. 
This demonstration caught the attention of staff, community leaders, 
and the media. This attention resulted in the implementation of new 
activities and regular meetings involving youth.
  At the young age of 9, Mr. Coleman witnessed his 17-year-old brother 
getting shot. Fortunately, unlike so many of his friends, Mr. Coleman's 
brother survived the incident, but Mr. Coleman was motivated to 
continue developing alternatives to violent crime. He participated in 
the community's first Youth as Resources Project. Youth as Resources is 
a community-based program that allows young people to display their 
resourcefulness through youth led, youth implemented community service 
projects.
  At 12, while living at a homeless shelter, Mr. Coleman began a 
tutoring program with books donated from teachers and funds provided by 
a small Youth as Resources grant. He instituted an accountability 
system at the shelter that tracked students' attendance, behavior, and 
completion of homework. He also recognized his peers' commendable 
efforts with awards. After leaving the shelter he was active in the 
Near Eastside Community Organization Crime-Watch program. There, Mr. 
Coleman started a library in his neighborhood where he collected 7,000 
books.
  Now, 18, Mr. Coleman is a senior at Northwest High School and the 
Chair of the Youth as Resources Marion County Action Board. His 
dedication to fighting crime has never diminished.
  I thank the National Crime Prevention Council and Ameritech for 
selecting Mr. Coleman. I applaud NCPC for its dedication to providing 
individuals with the tools to fight crime and build community, and 
Ameritech for its commitment to supporting crime prevention 
initiatives.
  I am pleased to have this opportunity to present hard working 
individuals like Mr. Coleman who have dedicated their lives to crime 
prevention.

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