EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor.

Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor.

September 11, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1471 

IN MEMORY OF THOMAS COONAN 

HON. JOHN A. BOEHNER OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 11, 2012 

Mr. BOEHNER. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege today, on behalf of the men and women 

of our institution, to honor the American life of 

Thomas Coonan. 

For most Members of Congress, the gateway to the chamber of the United States 

House of Representatives is the doorway to 

the Speaker’s Lobby. 

For many years, Tom Coonan stood at that 

door in the service of his country and the service of democracy. As a trusted member of the 

House Chamber security detail and the Office 

of the Sergeant-at-Arms, it was his post. 

For more than 15 years, Tom Coonan stood 

at the passage to the People’s House, where 

he was a familiar and comforting sight to all 

who passed regularly through our chamber. 

But Tom Coonan was standing vigil for 

American democracy long before his first day 

of work for the House. 

Before he served his country with the House 

Sergeant-at-Arms Office, Tom Coonan served 

his country with distinction in our armed 

forces. 

He began his military career in 1963, and 

served as an Assistant Intelligence officer, as 

the commander of Amphibious Group Two, 

until 1966. 

For the next decade and a half Tom held a 

number of civilian positions. Then, in 1981, 

once again feeling the tug of his desire to 

serve the nation he loved, Tom volunteered 

for a recall to reserve active duty. 

Beginning in 1990, he served as the U.S. 

Commander-in-Chief Pacific’s Representative 

for the Southwest Pacific, Suva, and Fiji. 

In September 1995, he joined the House 

Sergeant-at-Arms Office as a member of the 

Chamber Security staff. He was always stationed in the Speaker’s Lobby—the gateway to 

the chamber at the heart of the democracy 

Tom spent most of his adult life protecting. 

On August 23, 2012, tragically, while members were away for the August District Work 

Period, Tom Coonan suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Washington, DC. He is to 

be buried with full military honors at Arlington 

National Cemetery. 

For those who served with Tom Coonan, 

knew him, and were protected by him, his 

presence is sorely missed. But because of his 

steadfast and constant service, the vibrant 

commotion of democracy goes on. And as the 

House returns this week for legislative business, its members and staff do so with unfailing gratitude for the life he led. 

Having stood guard faithfully at the passage 

to the People’s House, Thomas Coonan now 

stands in the halls of eternity with Our Creator—forever strong, forever vigilant, and forever at peace. 

LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL 

CENTURY OF SERVICE COMMEMORATIVE COIN ACT 

SPEECH OF

HON. ENI F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA 

OF AMERICAN SAMOA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Monday, September 10, 2012 

Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today in support of H.R. 2139, the Lions Clubs 

International Century of Service Commemorative Coin Act. I thank my colleague, Mr. ROSKAM from Illinois, for introducing this bill which 

would direct the Secretary of Treasury to mint 

and issue $1 coins in commemoration of the 

centennial of the founding of the Lions Clubs 

International. 

Founded in 1917 by Chicago businessman 

Melvin Jones, the Lions Club has expanded to 

over 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members 

worldwide. What began as a national association extended beyond U.S. borders within 3 

years of founding. Now, nearly a century later, 

the Lions continue to carry out their motto 

‘‘We Serve’’ in 207 countries, touching every 

corner of the globe. 

In the last century, Lions Clubs International 

has helped to solve problems and serve humanitarian needs on the ground. Their services reach the blind, youth, and the elderly 

and also address health, the environment and 

disaster relief. 

I am especially grateful to the Lions for their 

dedicated assistance to the people of my district in American Samoa. Following the deadly 

2009 tsunami that devastated villages in 

American Samoa and Samoa, our local Lions 

Clubs were among those that came to the aid 

of our people. The Lions Club of Pago Pago 

continued to provide relief to many residents 

who lost their eyeglasses during the tsunami. 

Volunteers offered residents eye screening 

services that included complete eye examinations to evaluate visual health and detect eye 

diseases, prescriptions, and referral services. 

The Apia Lions in Samoa also provided assistance through disaster relief shelters and distributed donations such as clothing, food, and 

medicine from international Lions Clubs members. 

I am proud to say that the Lions Club of 

Pago Pago has provided consistent services 

to our people of American Samoa and is a 

priceless asset to our community. I commend 

the Lions Clubs International and I stand in full 

support of this bill which celebrates and honors a century of international leadership in humanitarian service. 

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

Tuesday, September 11, 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 community youth members as well. 

Great young men like Ackeem are precious 

gifts that God has made to help make this 

world a better and safer place for all of us. 

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 

the enemy of illegal guns in the hands of our 

misguided youth. An enemy that has taken the 

lives of so many of our promising young carnations and roses and that has declared war 

throughout 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 

young people—it pains my heart with depression and 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 

young men and women and 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 

countless amounts 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 time to mentor young cadets 

and served as a positive and much needed 

role model to many of our youth both in and 

outside of HYMC. 

The Harlem Youth Marines, Inc. provides instruction in military grooming and development 

to students willing and eager to learn. This 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS