[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 180 (Tuesday, November 14, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2178-E2179]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A SPECIAL SALUTE TO FATHER AUSTIN COOPER: MARKING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 1995

  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, as a Member of Congress, I take pride in 
acknowledging individuals from my congressional district who have 
demonstrated outstanding leadership in the community. Today, I rise to 
salute an individual who has dedicated his life to serving others. For 
the past 25 years, Father Austin R. Cooper, Sr., has served as rector 
at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Cleveland, OH. Earlier this month, 
starting on November 5, 1995, St. Andrew's began a special month-long 
celebration to mark his tenure as a leader of this historic church. I 
take special pride in saluting Father Cooper on this important 
milestone. I want to share with my colleagues some information 
regarding this gifted individual and his service of ministry.
  Father Cooper is the son of the late Benjamin and Louise Cooper, who 
came to the United States from the West Indies. As a young man, Father 
Cooper graduated from St. Augustine's College where he received a 
degree in sociology. He received a master of divinity degree from the 
Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. On May 13, 1961, 
Father Cooper celebrated his ordination as a priest. During his 
ministry, this gifted leader has served in churches located in Florida, 
New York, and Texas.
  Father Cooper was chosen as rector at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church 
on September 15, 1970. For 25 years, he has been a strong leader of 
that congregation and a guiding force in the Cleveland community. The 
church has been a beacon of light, providing programs and services to 
assist families, the elderly, and youth throughout the community. In 
addition, under Father Cooper's leadership, St. Andrew's Church was not 
only able to burn its mortgage 9 years ahead of schedule, but the St. 
Andrew's Church Foundation which was established in 1983 with $35,000, 
now boasts assets in excess of one quarter million dollars.
  Mr. Speaker, the awards and honors bestowed upon Father Cooper over 
the years represent the highest tribute to an individual who has 
dedicated his life to serving others. Father Cooper is the past 
recipient of the Distinguished Serve Award and the Black Church 
Religious Award from the Cleveland Branch of the NAACP. He was also 
recognized by the executive council of the Episcopal Church for his 
leadership in the struggle for civil rights.

  Father Cooper's name is included in published editions of ``Notable 
Americans'' and ``Who's Who Among Black Americans.'' He is the 
cofounder, first secretary, and past president of the Union of Black 
Episcopalians. Father Cooper is also the former president of the 
Cleveland Branch of the NAACP. Other memberships include Alpha Phi 
Alpha Fraternity and the Prince Hall Masons.
  Mr. Speaker, Father Austin Cooper is a leader of both national and 
international prominence. He has visited the White House to participate 
in briefings and advise leaders on the issues confronting the Nation. 
In addition, Father Cooper has led delegations to international 
conferences in East Africa, the West Indies, and other points around 
the globe.
  Throughout his service in the ministry, Father Austin Cooper has 
benefited from the support of a caring and understanding family. His 
devotion to his lovely wife of 30 years, Patricia, is unsurpassed. The 
Coopers are the proud parents of three children: Austin Rellins II, 
Angela Patricia, and Kimberly Louise. They are also the proud 
grandparents of Ashley Arianne.
  Mr. Speaker, over the years, I have been the beneficiary of the 
friendship and counsel of Father Cooper. He is a gifted man of God and 
a devoted leader. On the occasion of his 25th anniversary in service to 
St. Andrew's, I take special pride in saluting Father Cooper. I ask 
that my colleagues join me in wishing him Godspeed as he continues on 
this important mission of service.

[[Page E 2179]]


                      TRIBUTE TO WILLARD B. RANSOM

                                 ______


                        HON. ANDREW JACOBS, JR.

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 14, 1995

  Mr. JACOBS. Mr. Speaker, those who never knew Willard Ransom are 
unfortunate. Those who did have had their lives enhanced.
  As indicated in the following from the Indianapolis Star and the 
Indianapolis News, he was an uncommon man, one of God's nobleman.
  We are all the poorer for his passing.

                  [From the IPCs News, Nov. 11, 1995]

                           Willard B. Ransom

       A pioneer in the civil rights movement in Indianapolis has 
     passed away.
       Willard B. ``Mike'' Ransom was active in community affairs 
     as well as civil rights work.
       With a law degree from Harvard University, he came back to 
     Indianapolis after serving in the Army in Europe during World 
     War II.
       He fought for freedom overseas, only to run into barriers 
     to freedom back home.
       ``The contrast between having served in the Army and 
     running into this discrimination and barriers at home was a 
     discouraging thing,'' he once explained.
       He helped organize the state chapter of the National 
     Association for the Advancement of Colored People and was 
     involved in local protests against discrimination in the 
     1950s, several years before the civil rights movement gained 
     national attention. He also successfully promoted the passage 
     of civil rights legislation in the Indiana General Assembly.
       His community service was part of a family tradition, as 
     his father, Freeman Ransom, had been active in civic affairs 
     and was general manager of the Madame C.J. Walker Co.
       The civil rights movement may be just a period of history 
     for younger people, but individuals such as Willard Ransom 
     opened doors of opportunity and made sacrifices that ought to 
     be remembered with gratitude.
                                                                    ____


                     [From the Star, Nov. 9, 1995]

                City Loses Honored Civil Rights Activist

       Willard Ransom was an attorney, fought for desegregation 
     and co-founded Black Expo.
       Willard B. ``Mike'' Ransom, a Harvard-educated attorney who 
     led sit-ins and other civil rights actions to fight for 
     desegregation in Indianapolis and who was a co-founder of 
     Indianapolis Black Expo, died Tuesday.
       Mr. Ransom, of Indianapolis, was 79.
       Services will be at 11 a.m. Nov. 11 at Stuart Mortuary, 
     with calling from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Nov. 10. Interment will be 
     at Crown Hill Cemetery.
       Mr. Ransom became active in local civil rights efforts when 
     he returned to his hometown after serving in the Army Air 
     Forces in France and Belgium during World War II, attaining 
     the rank of captain.
       ``The contrast between having served in the Army and 
     running into this discrimination and barriers at home was a 
     discouraging thing,'' Mr. Ransom, a 1932 graduate of Crispus 
     Attucks High School, said in a 1991 interview.
       He began reorganizing the state chapter of the National 
     Association for the Advancement of Colored People, traveling 
     the state to encourage people to take direct action for civil 
     rights.
       He organized some local protests in the late 1950s, years 
     before the much-publicized sit-ins and marches in the South.
       One protest targeted the bus station at the former Traction 
     Terminal Building on Market Street between Capitol Avenue and 
     Illinois Street.
       ``There was a big restaurant there (Fendrich's). And there 
     were so many blacks traveling on buses. We were insulted 
     in that place because no one would serve us,'' Mr. Ransom 
     said.
       Mr. Ransom began working as an attorney in 1939 and was 
     inducted into the service in 1941 two months into a four-year 
     term as assistant to the attorney general. He was assistant 
     manager of Madame C. J. Walker Manufacturing Co. 1947-1954 
     and was general manager of the company and trustee of the 
     Sarah Walker Estate 1954-1971.
       He maintained a private law practice during that time and 
     played a major role in passage of all significant civil 
     rights legislation in Indiana since 1946.
       Mr. Ransom had been legal counsel to blacks in the 
     Indianapolis fire and police departments and at the time of 
     his death was of counsel to the law firm Bamberger and 
     Feibleman.
       He was a director of National City Bank of Indiana, served 
     five terms as chairman of the state NAACP and was a life 
     member of the organization, and was a board member of the 
     Madame C. J. Walker Urban Life Center.
       He was one of the founders of Concerned Ministers of 
     Indianapolis and in 1993 received the organization's Thurgood 
     Marshall Award for his work in the civil rights movement.
       He graduated summa cum laude from Talladega College in 
     Alabama in 1936, majoring in history. He played on the 
     varsity football and basketball teams for four years and was 
     on the debate team for three years. He received his law 
     degree from Harvard University in 1939.
       Williard Ransom was born into a family of community 
     leaders. His father, Freeman B. Ransom, was an attorney, 
     civic leader, Indianapolis councilman and general manager of 
     Madame C. J. Walker Co. The historic Ransom Place 
     neighborhood is named for Freeman Ransom, who died in 1947.
       Survivors: wife Gladys L. Miller Ransom: son Philip Freeman 
     Ransom; daughter Judith Ellen Ransom; brothers Frederick A., 
     Robert E. Ransom; sister A'Lelia E. Nelson; two 
     grandchildren; a great-grandchild.

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