FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: May 16, 2008 Mark A. Gunnoe, Deputy U.S. Marshal Public Information Officer (504) 589-3156   United States Marshals Service Announces Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Graduation Ceremony   The United States Marshals Service Eastern District of Louisiana (USMS EDLA) partnered with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School for Science and Technology (MLK) in 2007. In 2007, the Eastern District of Louisiana Marshals Office successfully graduated approximately 70 students from MLK. This year MLK Charter will graduate approximately 140 elementary and middle school students in the G.R.E.A.T. Program on Tuesday May 20, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. MLK is located at 1617 Caffin Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70117. The G.R.E.A.T. Program was developed in 1991 by the Phoenix, Arizona Police Department, local teachers, and community leaders supported by funding from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol and Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). Currently, the G.R.E.A.T. program is a cooperative effort sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance. The program is designed to reduce gang violence through classroom instruction and various learning activities. The program’s instruction focuses on helping youths avoid gang membership, prevent violence and criminal activity, while developing a positive relationship with law enforcement. Trained law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies instruct classes from 4th grade through 7th grade. The program also teaches life skills such as decision making techniques, setting goals, picking positive role models, etc…that will help them become more productive adults. The graduation ceremony will include guest speaker, Derrick Lewis, and a K-9 demonstration by Paul Finn. Derrick Lewis is a member of the New Orleans Voodoo Football Team. The New Orleans native began his career with the New Orleans Saints in 2002. Lewis went on to play with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Houston Texans, and the Arena Football League’s (AFL’s) Austin Wranglers. Lewis broke the record for single-season rushing, in addition to being considered one of the AFL’s top offensive players. Paul Finn is a Deputy with the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office. He is also a member of the USMS Crescent Star Fugitive Task Force. Finn is the 2007 recipient of the USMS National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award. Finn will be doing a demonstration with his Belgian Malinois K-9, Duke. USMS is partnered with the New Orleans Police Department, NFL YET Boys and Girls Club, the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office, Harbor Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) New Orleans Field Office, the National Park Service, and Rev. Willie Gable/Progressive Baptist Church. This summer USMS will be working with the National Park Service Summer Camp Program to host a G.R.E.A.T. summer camp. For further information about G.R.E.A.T. NOLA or the MLK graduation ceremony please contact Deputy U.S. Marshal Sha Niolon or Mark Gunnoe @ 504.589.2889 or 504.589.3156. For more information on G.R.E.A.T. visit the website at www.great-online.org.