[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 133 (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING HARRY COGHLAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. TIMOTHY H. BISHOP

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2010

  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor Mr. Harry 
Coghlan, a New Yorker who has earned special recognition and praise 
from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) for his steadfast 
commitment to advancing public safety.
  On September 15, 2010, Mr. Coghlan was presented with the Director's 
Award for Excellence by FBI Director Robert S. Mueller. Citing Mr. 
Coghlan's continuing efforts to assist the mission of law enforcement 
officials through his donation of digital billboard space in Times 
Square, Director Mueller recognized Mr. Coghlan in a special ceremony 
held in Washington, DC.
  Times Square is known around the world for its energy, color, and 
signature advertising billboards. In January 2010, the FBI announced an 
agreement with Mr. Coghlan for his company, Spectacolor, to provide 40-
foot by 40-foot digital billboard space at the corner of 47th Street 
and Broadway to display wanted fugitives, missing persons, and high-
priority security alerts.
  By entering into this agreement, the FBI hoped to follow the trend 
set by Newark, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by 
empowering the public in high traffic areas to help law enforcement by 
providing tips. Given the success of the digital billboard program in 
those cities, the immediate success of the program in Times Square was 
a surprise to no one.
  On September 12, 2010, the FBI announced the arrest of an alleged 
mobster who had been displayed on a Times Square billboard in Yonkers, 
New York. Since the inception of the program in 2007, more than 35 
arrests have been made by the FBI in connection with tips prompted by 
digital billboards.
  Madam Speaker, I applaud the FBI for its effective partnerships, and 
I commend Mr. Harry Coghlan and Clear Channel Spectacolor for their 
pioneering work to use advanced technology to benefit law enforcement 
and public safety.

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