[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 95 (Thursday, June 21, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN MEMORIAM AND REMEMBRANCE OF FIRST SERGEANT ACKEEM PAUL GREEN 369TH 
            HARLEM HELLFIGHTERS--HARLEM YOUTH MARINES, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2012

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today 
to share the news of a devastating loss to Harlem and the greater New 
York City community. We joined with many family members and friends at 
Memorial Baptist Church to celebrate the life of Harlem Youth Marine 
Cadet First Sergeant, Ackeem Paul Green, who passed away Sunday, June 
3, 2012, from a fatal gunshot wound.
  On behalf of our beloved Village of Harlem, my wife Alma and I want 
to extend our most sincere and heartfelt sympathy, support, and love to 
my beloved friend, Col. Gregory E. Collins, and the entire family of 
the First Sergeant Ackeem Paul Green. At the age of 25 he was indeed a 
promising young man continuing the honorable legacy of his father to 
better not only himself, but his fellow peers as well.
  Extraordinary young men like Ackeem are a rare commodity in this 
world and serve a higher purpose in making it a better place. First 
Sergeant Ackeem Paul Green lost his life on the urban battlefield, from 
gun violence right here at home, while enjoying a game of basketball 
with friends on a Sunday afternoon. First Sergeant Green was shot in 
the back by an illegal gun in the hands of a misguided youth. Gun 
violence has taken the lives of so many of our promising youth and it 
has taken over every urban neighborhood in the United States of 
America.
  Every time I hear the news that one of our young sons, daughters, 
fathers, mothers, husbands and wives are struck down by illegal guns in 
the wrong hands of our misguided people--it pains my heart with anger. 
What makes this very difficult for me is that it has taken the life of 
a young man whose very focus in life was to mentor his peers and others 
to provide them with a positive direction through the principles and 
leadership of the Harlem Youth Marines and with the values and courage 
of the United States Marine Corp.
  Since the age of 15 Ackeem has committed a tremendous amount of time 
and effort to the Harlem Youth Marine Cadets (HYMC). Once Ackeem 
reached the age limit to serve as a cadet, he remained dedicated and 
continued to serve the organization through volunteer work. He took 
mentored young cadets, served as a positive influence in the community, 
and was a much needed role model to many of our youth both in and 
outside of HYCM.
  The Harlem Youth Marines, Inc. (HYCM) provides instruction in 
military grooming and development to students willing and eager to 
learn. This program has supported the youth in my district for over 30 
years with an emphasis on youth development through education and 
discipline. They also provide cadets with the opportunity to engage in 
basic military skill training activities such as rappelling, 
marksmanship, and weapons safety. The children of Harlem have 
thoroughly benefited from this program through the development of body, 
mind, and spirit. Ackeem was a remarkable testament of their success.
  Mr. Speaker, I know that we, the Village of Harlem, will honor 
Ackeem's life by ensuring that its young infant son, Ackeem Paul Green, 
Jr., honorable legacy remains alive. We must bring a realistic end to 
gun violence because it is destroying the lives of our children, 
families and communities. I ask that you and my colleagues join me in 
honoring this ambitious young man and an impassioned mentor whose 
legacy shall be far remembered and everlasting.

                          ____________________