[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 70 (Wednesday, June 3, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1009]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1009]]
                     TRIBUTE TO DEACON ELMO COOPER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 3, 1998

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor and pleasure to 
congratulate Deacon Elmo Cooper for 60 years of service to Canaan 
Baptist Church of Christ which is located in my Congressional District.
  Born in Lake City, Florida, Deacon Cooper joined Canaan Baptist 
Church in 1936 and since that time, has served the church and the 
community in numerous ways.
  Upon first joining the church, he was appointed as the Assistant 
Superintendent of the Sunday School, a position he held for 16 
consecutive years. He was ordained a Deacon in 1938 and appointed 
Chairman of the Official Board in 1957. Though he retired this year 
from his position on the Board after forty consecutive years of 
service, he continues to serve as a Deacon at Canaan, with the honor, 
dignity, and grace he is known to possess.
  Other affiliations at Canaan include Chairman of the Board of 
Directors of the Canaan Housing Development Corporation, member of the 
Canaan Baptist Development Corporation, and Second Vice President of 
Canaan's Federal Credit Union.
  Deacon Cooper is an active member of the Louis H. Pink Senior Service 
Center in Brooklyn where he instructs a Spiritual Enlightenment class. 
He is a frequently sought after Keynote Speaker for various worship 
services and religious functions, and is a member of the New York State 
Deacons' Convention.
  Deacon Cooper is married to the former Rose Newton and in October of 
this year, they will celebrate 65 years of marriage. His lovely wife 
also gives of her time and spiritual talents as she is a Deaconess at 
Canaan Baptist Church. The Coopers have five children: Joyce Goodridge, 
Alvin Cooper, Carl Cooper, Carol Cooper, and Myra Kiffin.
  Deacon Elmo Cooper is one of our community's most beloved and 
respected leaders. His years of service and dedication have earned him 
the esteemed honor of Chair Emeritus.
  Mr. Speaker, I would ask that my colleagues on both sides of the 
aisle join me in honoring Deacon Elmo Cooper for his many years of 
unselfish devotion to Canaan Baptist Church of Christ, and to the 
community.

                          ____________________