After 33 years, almost 100,000 teaching
hours, and after years of urging from Master Tatum's peers and students,
Master Tatum
felt
it was now the time to dawn the rank of 10th Degree Black Belt. Master
Tatum's life has been dedicated to those he teaches. His aim in teaching
has always been to give his students enough Confidence to walk away from
trouble and go into the world as peace makers but if forced to defend,
they have the means to do so. Each rank from white belt up has been a goal
set by the highest standards.
Master Tatum has set even higher
goals to attain beyond what was expected.
Master Tatum's achievements are
many. In 1979, Master Tatum created the Self-Defense division that is now
used in most tournaments throughout the world. In 1980, Master Tatum was
the first Martial Arts instructor to convince the California courts to
allow Martial Arts to be recognized as a means for effective therapy for
those who have been victimized by violence. In 1983, Master Tatum wrote
the first Kenpo book for children, Confidence - A Child's First Weapon,
that became a best seller in the Martial Arts world. In 1984, Master Tatum
was named "Instructor of the Year" by Inside Kung Fu magazine. In 1996,Master
Tatum was on the ground floor in helping to create "Martial Arts Day" in
California. He received a State Resolution for his work. In 1996, Master
Tatum was awarded a State Resolution for his "Kids at Risk" program which
has helped provide a safer and caring environment for many kids, enabling
them to stay off the streets. Master Tatum has been featured on the cover
of Black Belt Magazine five times with over 20 of his articles published
in the magazine. Master Tatum is the official spokesman for the "Kids and
Cops" program with the Pasadena, California, Police Department. Master
Tatum has created 45 Instructional Videos for the Kenpo community that
are sold around the world. For over 12 years, Master Tatum has been head
of one of the largest Kenpo Associations in the world - The L.T.K.K.A.
Master Tatum's teachingshave spanned the world through
demonstrations and seminars encompassing South America, Europe and Canada.
Most recently, Master Tatum has provided a national infomercial to promote
a self-defense video series, "America's Self-Defense" that will enable
non-martial artists to learn basic self-defense at home.Please join with
us in congratulating Master Tatum for his accomplishments and contributions
to the Martial Arts community and the community at large.
California honors Kenpo Master Larry Tatum
California's
legislators scurry about their business daily, sometimes arguing with an
adversary, or lobbying a cohort for a vote on a particular bill. They are
performing a skilled profession, one that makes or changes the laws for
the State of California. August 29, 1996 was to be just another day in
the life of a legislator and then something different and special happened
on the floor of the California State Assembly, they talked about karate.
An assemblyman from the Los Angeles area, Bob Margett (R-Arcadia) raised
his microphone and announced to the legislators that he would like to present
a resolution. "Mr. Speaker and Members," Margett began, "It is a privilege
to stand before you today to honor a man that truly exemplifies the idea
of private citizens working to improve our society. In 1995 MasterLarry Tatum, a ninth degree black
belt in Kenpo karate, saw the benefits of teaching the martial arts to
our troubled youth. Master Tatum formed, using only private sector donations,
the "Kids At Risk" program." When Kenpo Master Larry Tatum began
a program called "Kids At Risk" with twenty youths from Pasadena, California
who were either disadvantaged or troubled, he had no idea that his efforts
would ever be recognized by the State of California. "Kids At Risk" is
a non-profit organization that works in conjunction with the Pasadena Police
Department and the principals of local schools. Youngsters who are identified
as "at risk" are taught Kenpo at Master Tatum's Pasadena Kenpo studio.
Master Tatum secures donations from caring people like author Sydney Sheldon
and the scholarships buy the youngsters uniforms, sparring equipment and
lessons. Master Tatum teaches the students how to defend themselves, and
the values of discipline, pride and personal responsibility.
The
State Assembly resolution jointly authored by Assemblyman Bob Margett,
Bill Hoge (R-Pasadena) and Assembly Speaker Curt Pringle (R-Garden Grove)
commended Master Tatum's dedicated efforts in the "Kids At Risk" program.
Master Tatum was joined at the presentation by his wife Jill (a 3rd degree
black belt), Master Darryl Liner of Sacramento (a 5th degree black belt),
and by two of Master Liner's students, Megan Langius and Daniel Lopez.
There are 8 karate schools in California associated with the Larry Tatum
Kenpo Karate Association," said Master Tatum. "Darryl Liner and I are going
to be working together, to bring the 'Kids At Risk' program
statewide, we hope to turn around the lives of 75 young
people this coming year." The usually contentious mood on the assembly floor
fell silent as Assemblyman Margett expressed his closing statement to the
legislator, "I ask you to join me in commending Master Tatum and the 'Kids At
Risk' Program for instilling our young people with a positive alternative to
drugs and gang-related peer pressures, by positive influence on today's youth,
while giving them the skills to become tomorrow's leaders of California." Then
the Assembly floor burst out in a loud round of applause and several of the
legislators came to the back of the chambers and congratulated Master Tatum and
his entourage.
"I have been teaching Kenpo for 25 years," said Master Tatum."This is one
of the greatest honors I have ever received, thank you very much."
No, thank you Master Tatum.
Jamie Langius is a student at Darryl
Liner's Kenpo Karate Schoolin Sacramento and is a researcher
for the California State Assembly.
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