[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 109 (Tuesday, July 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1547-E1548]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING JOSEPH R. COPPOLA, PH.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JACK QUINN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 29, 1997

  Mr. QUINN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Joseph 
Coppola. This past May, Dr. Coppola was honored by Canisius College for 
his exceptional service to both the college and our community. A member 
of the Canisius graduating class of 1940, Dr. Coppola has established 
himself a true leader in the accounting profession. He has served the 
college both as an educator and as an active alumna, and is a devoted 
husband, father of 10, and grandfather of 30. In recognition of that 
commitment, Canisius College has conferred upon Dr. Joseph R. Coppola 
the prestigious LaSalle Medal.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to join with Dr. Coppola's family in 
expressing my enthusiastic commendation for this high honor, and would 
ask that the following article noting this tremendous achievement be 
submitted into the Congressional Record:

                   The Conferral of the LaSalle Medal

       The integrity and success of Canisius-educated accountants 
     have earned the college a national reputation for the quality 
     of its accounting program. No one has had a greater impact in 
     that program than Dr. Joseph R. Coppola '40.
       Joe Coppola had earned a B.B.A. in accounting from Canisius 
     and an M.B.A. from the prestigious Wharton School of the 
     University of Pennsylvania (1941) by the time America entered 
     World War II. Thus it was not in the boardroom but on the 
     field of battle that he first answered the call to 
     leadership. He served in both the Army and Air Force, winning 
     six battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation before 
     returning stateside.
       Dr. Coppola returned to Alma Mater to join the faculty in 
     1946. His affirmity for the subject he taught, combined with 
     humor and an unaffected concern for his students, brought 
     accounting principles and practices to life for those who 
     took his classes, including many who went on to distinguished 
     careers in business, industry, and education.
       Dr. Coppola earned a Ph.D. from the University of Ottawa in 
     1967. While teaching, raising a family, and pursuing that 
     degree, he also worked with public accounting firms, private 
     industry, and government agencies to open new employment 
     opportunities for Canisius accounting graduates.
       He took on weighty administrative responsibilities during 
     his Canisius years as well, serving as chairman of the 
     Accounting Department, as moderator of the college's 
     Accounting Society, as director of the Senior Accounting 
     Internship Program, and as coordinator of the IRS Work Co-Op 
     Program. In each of these capacities he helped lay the 
     foundation for the exceptional accounting program that 
     continues to thrive at Canisius--one reason he is known as 
     ``Papa Joe'' in that department.
       Dr. Coppola also provided lasting financial support to 
     future generations of accounting students by establishing the 
     Dr. Joseph R. Coppola Scholarship Award in 1988--a fund that 
     provides five annual scholarships. In 1982 he created the Dr. 
     Joseph R. Coppola Award, given to recognize an exceptional 
     Canisius accounting graduate.
       Dr. Coppola's devotion to Canisius College has always 
     extended beyond academic matters. Over the years, he and his 
     wife, Angie, their children and grandchildren have been 
     faithful participants in many college events. Thus, in 
     another important way, the Coppolas have illustrated for our 
     students the beauty of a lasting marriage, the joy of a 
     loving family, and the strength of a profound religious 
     faith.

[[Page E1548]]

       Today we add to his many accolades the highest honor the 
     college can accord and alumnus for service. For the impact of 
     his teaching on the lives of hundreds of our students and for 
     his role in developing one of the finest accounting programs 
     in the nation, we are proud to present the LaSalle Medal to 
     Joseph R. Coppola, Ph.D., '40, professor emeritus of 
     accounting.

     

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