[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 137 (Tuesday, September 27, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 27, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                      TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM A. COOPER

                                 ______


                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 27, 1994

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join with citizens 
from Coral Gables and all over Dade County in honoring William A. 
Cooper for a lifetime of service to the people of our community.
  We hear a lot today about how fewer and fewer Americans continue to 
live as adults in the communities in which they were born. Such was not 
the case with William Cooper. He was born and raised in Carol Gables, 
Florida, the third son of 13 children, and he set down strong roots 
that persist to this very day.
  William Cooper has been an activist and a leader all of his life. He 
was the first African-American member of the City of Coral Gables Code 
Enforcement Board, and he has served on the city's Citizen's Advisory 
Board. He is also a member of the Coral Gables Police Department's 
Crime Watch Advisory Board and is second vice president of the St. 
Alban's Day Nursery Board of Directors.
  Mr. Cooper currently serves Coral Gables as President of the Lola B. 
Walker Homeowners Association, Inc., an organization of African-
American homeowners.
  The history of Coral Gables' African-American community has gained 
renewed prominence because of William Cooper. Under his leadership, the 
association played a key role in acquiring local historic designation 
of the McFarlane Homestead subdivision and securing its listing on the 
National Register of Historic Places. He has also played a key role in 
securing local historic designation for George Washington Carver 
Elementary and Middle Schools. Thanks in part to his efforts, 
Industrial Avenue in the McFarlane Homestead subdivision was renamed 
this past spring in honor of George Allen, one of its pioneer citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to express congratulations and best wishes to 
William A. Cooper, his wife Leona, and his children and grandchildren. 
We share his pride in our community and thank him for keeping our 
history alive.

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