[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 42 (Wednesday, March 17, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2787-S2788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            DAVID B. COOPER

  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, America's journalism pool got a little 
smaller last week as David B. Cooper, one of Ohio's most respected 
journalists, hung up his typewriter.
  For almost 22 years, Dave was a powerful voice in Ohio, in charge of 
editorials and op-eds as the associate editor for the Akron Beacon 
Journal. Over the length of his career, Dave was never known to mince 
words or pull punches. He was brutally honest when he didn't think 
someone--usually a politician--was living up to expectations. And 
usually you didn't have to be reminded twice--you got the message. I 
will say that many politicians from the State of Ohio, including yours 
truly, worked very, very hard to live up to Dave's high expectations of 
us.
  Dave's principles always shone through in the topics he wrote about. 
His analysis was precise and he showed genuine care about the issues in 
and subjects of his columns. And he worked hard to make sure that he 
was easily understood.
  Dave's legacy is his journalistic leadership at the national, state 
and local level. He was outstanding. He began his career 44 years ago, 
writing for the Raleigh News and Observer and the Winston-Salem Journal 
and Sentinel during the 1950's and 1960's. In 1968, he started his 
association with Knight-Ridder newspapers by accepting a position with 
the Detroit Free Press.
  It wasn't until 1977 that Dave saw the light and realized his calling 
was in the State of Ohio with the Akron Beacon Journal. The Ohio 
journalism corps has truly been enhanced with his presence.
  I have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Dave. He didn't always 
agree with me--and I certainly never expected him to--but he was always 
fair. In fact, I always looked forward to reading Dave's editorials 
just to find out how he thought my administration was doing.
  For the last 2 years, Dave and I have shared something in common--
we're both grandfathers, although I'm a little newer at being one than 
he is. There is sort of an unspoken bond between grandfathers that is 
readily apparent in the smiles we wear and the glint in our eye, as we 
regale others with the exploits of our precious little ones. Dave has 
four grandchildren and I know that he is more proud of them than any 
editorial or column he has

[[Page S2788]]

written. In fact, Dave's best writing has been about his grandchildren!
  One of the great things about the relationship Dave and I have is our 
mutual love of fishing. Many times when we've been talking about topics 
of the day, we've gone off the subject talking about fly-fishing 
techniques, favorite streams, or the one that got away.
  Dave and I have done some fishing together, but not nearly enough. 
And even though Dave and his lovely wife Joanne are moving to 
California, I look forward to doing more fishing with him in the years 
to come.
  And while I prefer polka, Dave loves jazz. Dave knows more about 
jazz--jazz records, jazz singers, and jazz history--than anybody I 
know. I suspect that his knowledge of jazz surpasses all but a few 
journalists in America. He even has a jazz radio show in Akron! He has 
written about jazz extensively and he never tires of speaking about it.
  Mr. President, I want to close by saying I have immense respect for 
Dave. He is and always has been a true professional. And although I am 
sorry to see him retire, I am confident that the citizens of Akron have 
not heard the last from him.
  Dave and I will always be friends. I wish him well as he and his wife 
Joanne embark on their new life together.
  I notice that my colleague, Senator DeWine, is on the Senate floor, 
and I yield the floor to him.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Ohio, Senator DeWine, is 
recognized.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I join my colleague and friend, Senator 
Voinovich, in paying tribute to one of the leading figures in the 
history of journalism in the State of Ohio. My good friend Dave Cooper 
is retiring after 22 years as editor of the editorial and opinion pages 
of the Akron Beacon Journal.
  David B. Cooper began as a reporter with a genuine love for political 
journalism. After reporting for the Raleigh (North Carolina) News and 
Observer and Winston-Salem Journal and Sentinel, he joined the Detroit 
Free Press--where he moved over to the writing of editorials.
  In 1977, the Akron Beacon Journal hired Dave to run its editorial and 
opinion pages. In that capacity, he has been more than just a 
principled observer and commentator on the political life of Ohio and 
America--he has also been a powerful force in the cultural life of his 
community.
  Indeed, some of his best writing has been on music. In fact--since 
1994--he has hosted a weekly jazz program on radio station WAPS.
  The same feeling that infuses his writing and commentary on jazz is 
present in his political writing. Dave knows that if all you want is 
accuracy, you have merely to know your subject. And believe me, Dave 
knows the stuff he writes about! But he also knows that if you want to 
go beyond that--beyond mere accuracy toward the kind of deep 
understanding that goes to the heart of an issue--you must not just 
know, but love, your subject.
  That's the kind of work that creates positive change in a community. 
It is the type of work that Dave has done.
  Dave Cooper says his pet peeve is ``politicians who are pompous.'' 
And that really reflects Dave's personality--he doesn't do what he does 
for his own ego; he does it to help people understand things. He does 
it to make a real difference. And that's why he holds people in public 
life to the same high standard.
  I am proud to call Dave Cooper my good friend, and I wish him and 
Joanne well as they begin a new life.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. BINGAMAN addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Voinovich). The Chair recognizes the 
Senator from New Mexico for 10 minutes.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Thank you, Mr. President.
  (The remarks of Mr. Bingaman pertaining to the introduction of S. 
638, S. 639, and S. 640 are located in today's Record under 
``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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