[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 78 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SHEPARD COLEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 16, 1998

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, today it is with sadness that I rise to 
recognize the life of Shepard Coleman, a talented musician and award 
winning musical conductor. I wish to call to the attention of our 
colleagues the outstanding talents of Shepard Coleman, who made his 
home in Orange County, New York. On June 27, there will be a memorial 
service for Shepard Coleman in Sugarloaf, New York, at the Lycian 
Center.
  Shep Coleman was an accomplished musician who for many years was the 
leading cellist with the New York Philharmonic. The Washington Post 
reported on May 17, that as a graduate of the Julliard School of Music, 
Shep Coleman was a pit musician in many Broadway musicals from 1946 to 
1960. He played under Leonard Bernstein for more than twenty years, as 
well as playing for Frank Sinatra. In 1964, Shep Coleman won a Tony 
Award for his magnificent musical direction of the Broadway hit, 
``Hello Dolly''.
  Shep Coleman was extremely active in local theater productions. He 
was a loving teacher as well as a great performer. He was also a strong 
supporter of many AIDS charities and art organizations. When he moved 
to Warwick, New York, he became active in their Humane Society. Shep 
Coleman continually gave of himself for the benefit of our entire 
community.
  I came to personally know Shep through his advocacy for the Arts in 
our home region. Shep was the kind of person who placed a high premium 
on attracting young people to the Arts and encouraging them to develop 
their talents. Shep never hesitated to remind me that by stimulating 
the Arts Community, we are helping the economy of our entire region.
  Shep Coleman was an articulate, unique individual who will long be 
missed greatly by his friends and neighbors in Orange County, New York.
  Shep is survived by his sister, Diana Hoffman, of New York City, his 
brother, Aaron Coleman also of New York City, and his nephews Robert 
and Kenneth Hoffman.
  Shep Coleman lived to the age of 74. He was always involved in so 
many different aspects of our communities, always devoting himself to a 
good cause. Mr. Speaker, I invite all my colleagues to join me in 
honoring Shepard Coleman. We have lost an outstanding talent and a 
great friend.

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