[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 87 (Thursday, June 21, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1183-E1184]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH AND VICTORIA COTCHETT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2001

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute today to two 
distinguished Californians, Victoria and Joseph Cotchett, who are being 
honored as Volunteers of the Year by the Volunteer Center of San Mateo 
County, California.
  Victoria and Joe Cotchett have provided years of extraordinary public 
service to our community and our country. The Cotchetts give so 
generously of their time, their talents and their resources and are 
widely known and deeply respected within our community for their 
extraordinary contributions to many worthy organizations and causes. 
They are driven by their passion for the arts, for the average person, 
and for justice.
  Long an advocate of women and children, Victoria Cotchett is an avid 
supporter of the arts and a community leader in animal care issues. She 
has distinguished herself as a writer and has served on the boards of 
many organizations, including Poplar Recare and the Kennedy Center for 
the Performing Arts.
  Joe Cotchett is a noted trial attorney with a distinguished record of 
campaigning for equal justice as well as his many years of professional 
and civic involvement. For the past ten years, Joe has been named one 
of the 100 most influential lawyers in the country, earning the highest 
esteem of colleagues and clients alike. Joe has been described by the 
National Law Journal as ``one of the best trial lawyers; a clear 
champion of underdogs.''
  Victoria and Joe Cotchett are the proud parents of two beautiful 
daughters. The Cotchetts have opened their hearts to another family, a 
group of refugees fleeing political oppression in Eastern Europe. Joe 
and Victoria did everything within their power to facilitate this 
family's transition to the United States, providing

[[Page E1184]]

them with shelter, assistance, and above all, the warmth and kindness 
of a loving family.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to two 
extraordinary people who I'm exceedingly proud to call my friends. We 
are a better community, a better country and a better people because of 
Victoria and Joe Cotchett.

                          ____________________