[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 25065-25066]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO TERESA COAXUM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 16, 2009

  Mr. TOWNS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Teresa 
Coaxum, a tireless leader in the community.
  Born and raised in Walterboro, South Carolina, Ms. Coaxum began her 
career at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina at 
the age of 16. Shortly after her first semester she moved to New York 
and completed her Bachelor's degree and later her Master's degree at 
John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Ms. Coaxum would later graduate 
from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government's Senior Managers in 
Government Executive Program. Always one to know the true importance of 
education, Ms. Coaxum is also a graduate of Coro Leadership New York 
XV.
  In Ms. Coaxum's former job, she served as Project Manager of 
Community Relations under Brooklyn District Attorney, Charles Hynes. 
There she addressed the needs of residents in Crown Heights, Prospect 
Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Stuyvesant Heights, East Flatbush, and 
Bushwick by successfully coordinating community agencies, 
organizations, churches and elected officials in major initiatives such 
as ComALERT (Community and Law Enforcement Resources Together), a 
district attorney program that assists people on probation and parolees 
in getting jobs, training and education in Crown Heights and Bedford 
Stuyvesant.
  Ms. Coaxum has worked tirelessly to empower New York residents 
through her commitment to community and human services. In her current 
position, she works countless hours directing community outreach and 
planning in NYC, assisting in the management of Senator Schumer's eight 
regional offices, as well as advising the Senator and his Washington, 
D.C. staff on key policy issues.
  Ms. Coaxum is a lifetime member of the NAACP. She serves on several 
committees such as John Jay College of Criminal Justice Alumni 
Association as the 2nd Vice President, Interfaith Medical Center 
Auxiliary, Church Women United, Community Board 8, Partnership for 
Youth and Community Empowerment, Brooklyn Blizzard Youth Organization, 
The Women's Caucus for Ed Towns, and Brooklyn Young Democrats.
  In recognition of her loyalty and service, Ms. Coaxum was selected as 
one of The Network Journal's ``Top 40 under 40 Dynamic Leaders'' in 
June 2009, and as one of City Hall News' ``Rising Stars 40 under 40''. 
She received the John Jay College Alumni of the Year Award, various 
community service awards from Concord Family Services and the 77th, 
79th, 81st, 83rd Precinct Community Councils. Among her many honors and 
recognitions, she has also received The Harriet Tubman Humanitarian 
Award and Proclamations from Senator Carl Andrews and Brooklyn Borough 
President Marty Markowitz, as well as Special Recognition from 
Congressman Edolphus ``Ed'' Towns, and Citations from Assemblyman Vito 
Lopez, New York City Councilmembers Erik

[[Page 25066]]

Dilan and Diana Reyna, and former Councilman James E. Davis for 
dedication and hard work in the community.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing this 
relentless and dynamic community leader.

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