[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 139 (Wednesday, October 7, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S11801]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNITION OF EVELYN DUKES

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a true 
urban innovator, a woman who has devoted her ``retirement'' years to 
solving the many challenges that confront urban communities across the 
nation, Ms. Evelyn Dukes.
  The urban community of northeastern Detroit has greatly benefitted 
from the work of Ms. Evelyn Dukes. Her involvement with urban and 
neighborhood renewal began with the ``Adopt-A-Park'' program. In her 
neighborhood, Ms. Dukes daily observed gangs, drug users, and loiterers 
frequenting a parcel of land that was formerly a small community park, 
but had become a symbol of fear and apathy. Fortunately, Ms. Dukes did 
not view Brookins Park in the same manner. As an organizer for numerous 
Block Clubs and Neighborhood Watch Groups, Ms. Dukes saw the area as an 
opportunity to bring the community together and reclaim a vital 
recreational park. By calling on organizations from the city's Park and 
Recreation Department to the Detroit Piston Basketball Organization, 
Ms. Dukes' vision for Brookins Park became a reality. Today the land is 
used by community residents for picnics, reunions, and birthday 
parties, and Ms. Dukes is on to her next project, Skinner Park.
  Ms. Dukes is also involved in her neighborhood organization and is an 
active member in the Citizen Band Radio Patrol organization. While on 
patrol, she documents dangerous situations and possible criminal 
actions. Evelyn is President of the Ninth Precinct Community Relations 
Board and is very involved in the City Wide Roundtable, an organization 
of Detroit leaders who meet on a regular basis to discuss issues and 
solutions involving public service, safety, and awareness.
  At 73, Evelyn Dukes' personal commitment to her neighborhood and city 
are an inspiration to everyone. She is truly a model for community 
involvement, and her efforts and achievements clearly set Ms. Dukes 
apart as an exemplary citizen. She has been honored by being selected 
as only one of seven people in the country to receive the National 
Crime Prevention Council's Ameritech Award of Excellence in Crime 
Prevention.
  I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Ms. Evelyn Dukes on 
receiving this award and thanking her for the stalwart dedication she 
has shown to improving her community.




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