[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 112 (Friday, July 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1663-E1664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO HARRY COLEMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HOWARD L. BERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 25, 2003

  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a good friend 
and an outstanding humanitarian, Harry Coleman. After ten years of 
service, Harry will be stepping down as President of the North Hills 
Community Coordinating Council (CCC).
  Harry's leadership has been crucial to the success of the North Hills 
Community Coordinating Council. Under his guidance, the North Hills CCC 
successfully fought for the removal of barricades around the Columbus 
Street area that protected drug trafficking. Following the 1994 
Northridge earthquake, Harry led the CCC in working with elected 
officials and government officials to expedite the repair of 
dilapidated and high crime areas; his diligence and steadfast 
determination helped turn post-earthquake ghost towns into thriving, 
safe communities. After considerable effort, Harry and the North Hills 
CCC persuaded the city of Los Angeles to purchase land that ultimately 
became North Hills Community Park.
  Although Harry was born in Rochester, New York, he made Southern 
California his home early in life and has done much for our community 
ever since. For example, he has served on the Committee for Patient 
Education at Sepulveda's Veterans' hospital, applying his unique 
knowledge of hospital bureaucracy from his days as Vice President of 
Sales at General Hospital and his personal experience as a veteran.
  Harry's hard work was instrumental in the ultimate construction of 
the Therapeutic Fitness Center, a veteran's gym. Harry monitored every 
detail of the project with tenacious vigilance, inspired other veterans 
to stand up for themselves, and was the leading voice in the struggle 
for its rehabilitation. This gym is an important place where 
camaraderie, friendship, and healing thrive for those who have given so 
much for our country. He and I worked very closely together to make 
this happen, and it is clear that without Harry the gym might never 
have been reconstructed.
  Harry was the Chairman for Lowman-Miller Schools Fund Raising 
Committee for Handicapped Children, a member of the Community Policy 
Advisory Committee, and he served in leadership positions in countless 
other organizations. He genuinely cares about people and has dedicated 
himself to public service ever since he ``retired'' at the early age of 
34.
  Even during his leisure hours, Harry has shared his knowledge and 
talents with the rest of the world. Harry is listed in the Guinness 
Book of Worlds Records for taking the longest trip in history, 
traveling around the world in a VW camper for a total of 143,776 miles, 
visiting 113 countries, and meeting with 14 heads of state in two 
years. He shared his journey with all of us by filming and producing a 
two-hour documentary, ``Around the World on Wheels.'' He revealed his 
travel secrets in his book, ``Camping Out With Your Van or Minibus.'' 
Closer to home, Harry has also been involved in over 150 chili 
cookoffs, organizing competitions whenever he can, and sharing his 
award winning recipes.
  Harry's great effectiveness as a community advocate was at least 
doubled upon his marriage to our former colleague in the House of

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Representatives, former Congresswoman Bobbi Fiedler. The two of them 
are a formidable force. I am proud to count both Harry and Bobbi among 
my friends and I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting this 
wonderful man as Harry concludes his service as President of the North 
Hills Community Coordinating Council.

                          ____________________