[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 137 (Saturday, September 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING OCTOBER AS CO-OP MONTH

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                             HON. VIC FAZIO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 27, 1996

  Mr. FAZIO of California. Mr. Speaker, in the United States, 
cooperatives celebrate their activities and honor their history every 
year during October, Coop Month. Today over 40,000 cooperatives and 
credit unions serve nearly 100 million Americans in almost every 
community in our nation.
  On October 24, 1844, 28 weavers incorporated the Rochdale Society of 
Equitable Pioneers to start their humble cooperative in Rochdale, 
England. The principles and practices they formulated ensured the 
success of the cooperative ideal. The results of their efforts gave 
rise to the modern cooperative movement which in 1996 counts over 750 
million members.
  The nearly 30 cooperatives and credit unions in Davis, CA are an 
important part of the daily lives of its citizens. A number of those 
cooperatives are unique models of ``people helping people'' acclaimed 
throughout the U.S.A. Cooperatives in Davis provide service to children 
in child-care cooperatives, through students in student housing 
cooperatives, to seniors in housing cooperatives.
  The efforts of the Center for Cooperatives at the University of 
California at Davis has helped find new opportunities for cooperative 
development in rural northern California. The center's activities bring 
together leaders of our rural communities to offer solutions which 
address unemployment, recycling and sustainable and environmental 
economic development.
  On behalf of the Congress of the United States, I would like to join 
the citizens of Davis in recognizing and celebrating Co-op Month.

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